Aussies splash cash on tech but prices tipped to rise
Consumers are spending big on smartphones and games consoles despite a tight economy, JB Hi-Fi says, but the cost of some gadgets could rise.
national news
One dead in ‘random’ triple stabbing on high street
A man is dead and two others are fighting for their lives after a stabbing outside a suburban train station.
Coles points finger at suppliers for price changes
Australia's consumer watchdog has accused Coles of artificially increasing prices to create discounts, while the supermarket giant blames supplier cost hikes.
How an empty nursing home became a housing solution
The hundreds of thousands of disused buildings across rural Australia could be transformed into worker accommodation as renewable energy projects roll out.
Tough new laws to crack down on illegal tobacco ‘thugs’
Businesses caught selling illegal tobacco could have their shops shut down for up to 90 days under planned state laws.
Shoppers care about ‘fair dinkum’ discounts, says Coles
A supermarket giant accused of manipulating prices has told a court the regulator is wrongly attributing "sophisticated thought processes" to grocery shoppers.
Kidnappers of elderly widower told they have wrong man
An 85-year-old grandfather taken captive several days ago needs urgent medical attention, police say as they issue a rare plea to his mistaken kidnappers.
AI digs deep into future of Australian farming sector
Farmers are rapidly adopting autonomous machinery and artificial intelligence to boost efficiency, although the industry needs stronger backing to truly thrive.
‘I had to’: killer’s curse claim before nurse stabbed
A man who raved about witchcraft during a heated dispute about designer bags is claiming he killed his childhood friend's partner during a psychotic episode.
Benched MP flew with Palmer during coalition split
Billionaire Clive Palmer flew a senior Nationals senator on his private jet to discuss electoral support when the regional party had split from the Liberals.
‘Goliath won’: Santos fends off greenwashing lawsuit
The defeat of a climate suit against Santos has disappointed activists but opened the public's eyes to how the resources giant developed its net-zero targets.
Liberal leader rewards allies in new-look front bench
Liberal leader Angus Taylor has unveiled his shadow cabinet, with conservatives returning to the fold after being pushed to the outer.
‘Too high’: risk to economy forces RBA’s hand on rates
Minutes from the Reserve Bank's latest meeting reveal the thinking behind its call to lift interest rates for the first in more than two years.
Australia ‘failing’ on childcare quality issues
Industry, parents and policy experts will front a Senate inquiry probing Australia's scandal-plagued early childhood education sector.
Regions beckon as young Aussies rethink city life
Almost half of Australians aged 18 to 29 are considering leaving cities for the regions, driven by the cost of living, work opportunities and lifestyle factors.
Earth’s doppelganger: scientists make $15m digital twin
From stress-testing crops to simulating disease outbreaks, researchers plan to create a virtual copy of Australia's agricultural landscape to test scenarios.
‘Beloved’ NRL premiership star shot in brazen ambush
A premiership-winning NRL player is in a serious condition after being shot as police examine a car found on fire near the crime scene.
BHP copper pivot steps up but iron ore headwinds remain
The world's biggest miner has broken operating records across multiple resources in the recent half as it continues to expand its exposure to a key base metal.
Baby store refits delivers ‘halo effect’ for retailer
Baby Bunting's nine revamped "stores of the future" are delivering the goods, helping the baby goods retailer grow overall same-store sales by 4.7 per cent.
One tax still off the table as treasurer weighs reform
The International Monetary Fund report is calling for a hike in the GST and other tax changes, while praising the handling of Australia's economy.
Students, staff live in fear as racism rampant at unis
Universities are being criticised for failing to tackle rampant racism, with a landmark report revealing how pervasive discrimination is on campus.
Bondi shooter speaks as ‘onerous conditions’ outlined
The surviving gunman from the Bondi Beach terror attack has faced court for the first time on 15 murder charges, uttering his first public words.
Illegal ciggies tipped to soon stub out retail sales
One of Australia's biggest retailers has warned nine in 10 cigarettes will be bought illegally by the end of the decade unless the tobacco excise is cut.
Weekend flooding fear as heavy rain sweeps two states
Hundreds of millimetres of rain have been dumped on two states bracing for a wet weekend and the risk of flash flooding.
Cochlear crashes in latest earnings season carnage
Hearing device manufacturer Cochlear has suffered a 19 per cent sell-off after posting weaker-than-expected half-year earnings and trimming its guidance.
Hard reality of reconciliation on apology anniversary
There remains a long way to go for Indigenous reconciliation as racism continues to fester, almost two decades on from the apology to the Stolen Generations.
Ley ‘won’t dwell on the disappointment’ after ousting
Sussan Ley has been deposed as the Liberal Party's first female leader, declaring she will completely step away from public life after 25 years in politics.
Bail bid for Labor figure’s alleged killer fails
Details about what happened in a nightclub before a young man allegedly fatally "coward punched" Tim Picton have been revealed to a court during a bail hearing.
‘Predatory’ children’s author used fame to groom kids
A bestselling children's author who preyed on girls as young as 11 after visiting their schools to talk about his books has been jailed.
Battle over Virginia Giuffre’s estate inches forward
A court is yet to decide whether more family members of deceased Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre can join a legal battle over her estate.
‘Right the ship’: polluters tax could be vote spinner
An ex-Labor strategist turned pollster says there are votes in taxing Australia's biggest polluters through reframing the debate and evolving demographics.