Premier threatens to name and shame energy retailers
Cost-of-living rhetoric is ramping up ahead of a state budget as leaders deliver warnings to energy companies.
economy (general)
Slowing economy could shut the door on more rate hikes
Stagnant productivity means households face higher inflation and lower living standards but the treasurer hopes cheaper housing will ward off voter discontent.
‘Bad to worse’: productivity sinks to post-pandemic low
Poor productivity is bedevilling the Australian economy, with levels heading in the wrong direction for Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
‘Apples with oranges’: Labor brushes off Kiwi PM’s dig
A visiting leader's remark that taxing capital gains would be "disastrous" has been brushed aside by Labor figures who deny it was a dig at its big reforms.
Officials bank on economic slump helping tame inflation
Australia is not experiencing stagflation but higher interest rates will help cool the economy and inflation, the nation's top bank official says.
Lebanon truce raises hopes of progress for Iran deal
As Israel and Lebanon agree to implement a new ceasefire, President Donald Trump has suggested progress on a broader deal to halt the Iran war could come soon.
consumer confidence
consumers
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
investments
personal income
Data centre boom fails to boot up lagging economy
A fourth Reserve Bank rate hike is still on the cards for 2026, despite a slowdown in economic growth, falling productivity and high labour costs.
building material
construction and property
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
heavy construction
house building
housing and urban planning
Interest rate impact hits housing approval levels
The number of new homes being approved fell once again during April, and the Reserve Bank is being blamed for the downturn.
‘Likely he’s lying’: treasurer points finger at rival
Future generations will be left with a "multibillion-dollar debt bomb" if the coalition repeals proposed tax changes, the treasurer warns.
business (general)
consumer confidence
consumer goods
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
retail
trade policy
unrest, conflicts and war
Retailers under attack from weak demand, rising costs
Australia's retail sector faces a pincer attack as the war in the Middle East increases costs and pushes consumers to the brink.
Pauline Hanson won’t tie One Nation to coalition ‘dog’
Pauline Hanson's party could become the official opposition, but she has poured cold water on any policy compromise in a coalition deal.
crisis
economy (general)
energy and resource
peace negotiations
politics
unrest, conflicts and war
waterway and maritime transport
Pakistan steps up bid to get US-Iran talks on track
Mediators are trying to speed up US-Iran peace talks as Tehran weighs a response from Washington and President Donald Trump says he's willing to resume attacks.
Treasurer blames ‘misinformation’ for war on tax change
Critics of the government's capital gains tax changes are being accused by the treasurer of overstating how much extra tax small businesses will have to pay.
Federal budget to dominate the economic agenda
The government will do well to resist spending a "tantalising" budget windfall, as boosting demand while supply is constrained could result in more rate hikes.
Labor plots budget housing boost to fend off One Nation
Jim Chalmers hopes slashing red tape and winding back investor tax breaks will convince voters the dream of home ownership is still alive.
Lenders told to ‘support customers’ facing hard times
Lenders must watch out for customers because the corporate regulator won't take a backward step as households face hardship, the outgoing ASIC chair will warn.
US and Iran closing in on memorandum to end war
Pakistani mediators believe they're getting close to an agreement between the US with Iran on a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the Middle East war.
Truce in doubt as US, Iran fight for control of strait
The US is trying to force open the Strait of Hormuz while the UAE has come under attack by Iran in a test of a ceasefire with no sign of a peace deal.
central bank
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
inflation and deflation
interest rate
politics
prices
Close call tipped as Reserve Bank mulls third rate hike
Traders and economists expect the central bank to raise interest rates for a third straight meeting but high uncertainty could result in another split decision.
Iran ‘can’t be trusted’ over Hormuz, as talks stalled
Efforts to end the Iran war remain stuck as Tehran braces for US strikes and a Gulf ally of Washington warns against believing Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.
budgets and budgeting
construction and property
economy (general)
housing and urban planning
lifestyle (house and home)
mortgages
politics
real estate
PM rubbishes budget tax speculation as home prices slow
Sydney's home price premium over Brisbane and Perth continues to narrow as values retreat in Australia's two largest cities.
Iran threatens painful response if US resumes attacks
Tehran is warning Washington it faces a lengthy conflict if it attacks again, following reports the US has planned a "short and powerful" wave of strikes.
Trump urges Iran to ‘get smart’ and sign a deal
Days of impasse over efforts to end the Iran war have spurred US President Donald Trump to make fresh demands on Tehran or face an extended blockade.
crisis
economy (general)
energy and resource
peace negotiations
politics
unrest, conflicts and war
waterway and maritime transport
Trump unhappy with Iran’s latest proposal to end war
The Iran war is no closer to being resolved, with Tehran's proposal of leaving nuclear talks until later not going down well with US President Donald Trump.
US envoys go to Pakistan, but Iran says no direct talks
President Donald Trump is sending his special negotiators to Pakistan to revive ceasefire talks with Iran, but Tehran's officials don't intend to meet them.
crisis
diplomacy
economy (general)
energy and resource
peace negotiations
unrest, conflicts and war
waterway and maritime transport
Longer truce in Lebanon as Trump seeks ‘best’ Iran deal
Washington has helped broker an extended ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah but President Donald Trump says he won't be rushed into making a deal with Iran.
Iran firms grip on Hormuz after US calls off attacks
Iran has fired on three ships and seized two of them as it denies agreeing to President Donald Trump's ceasefire extension and slams a continued US blockade.
Break in economic data keeps Middle East in focus
Traders will be hoping US President Donald Trump strikes a permanent deal with Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open as the clock ticks on a fragile ceasefire.
breaking_news
crisis
economy (general)
energy and resource
peace negotiations
unrest, conflicts and war
waterway and maritime transport
Iran says Strait of Hormuz now open after Lebanon deal
Iran's foreign minister says the Strait of Hormuz is declared open for all commercial vessels for the remainder of a 10-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah.
Hopes for Iran war deal grow but nuclear issues hanging
The US and Iran feel good about resuming talks to end the Middle East war, but differences remain over Iran's nuclear program.
auto trends
consumer goods
consumers
diesel fuel
economy (general)
environmental issue
environmental politics
report
research
sales
transport
Aussies want electric cars to save cash, not the planet
Australians are considering electric cars as fuel prices rise, with potential buyers fuelled by the possibility of saving money rather than the environment.