Aussie shares in record close, break $2.9 trillion mark
Australia's top 500 publicly traded companies are now worth more than $2.9 trillion, as major benchmark indexes closed at their highest ever levels.
national news
Tougher national working with kids scheme by year’s end
Australia will fast-track the rollout of reforms for working with children checks after the existing system was slammed by the prime minister as "hopeless".
PM defends Palestine recognition after US ‘disgust’
Australia's decision to recognise Palestine was made in the interest of its citizens, the prime minister has said, after a US official decried the move.
Footy fans help consumer spending roar into growth
A British and Irish Lions rugby tour and the State of Origin league decider helped push household spending up in July, the latest CommBank data shows.
War on drugs a ‘costly failure’ amid record consumption
An analysis of Australia's sewers shows record consumption of meth, cocaine and heroin, triggering a call to abandon the "failing" war on drugs.
business (general)
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
politics (general)
regulatory policy and organisation
Cutting ‘nightmarish’ red tape may awaken productivity
Fixing Australia's regulations could help businesses and shoppers save and reinvigorate Australia's languishing productivity base.
Lessons ‘not learnt’ 80 years on from World War II
Australians have paused to reflect on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, with many thankful for the sacrifices made to ensure peace in Australia.
Paul Kelly farewells Joe in How to Make Gravy sequel
One of Australia's most celebrated artists has released a sequel to Christmas anthem How to Make Gravy, almost three decades after its release.
Ex-Qantas boss returns to defends his troubled legacy
Controversial former Qantas boss Alan Joyce has used a rare public appearance to ask industry figures to consider their "social licence" in future plans.
Climate adaptation secrets hidden in reptilian genes
Nature is declining at an unprecedented rate and a vast library of reptiles, birds and other specimens could help researchers better understand pressure points.
Judge sprays lawyers for filing error-riddled AI papers
Lawyers acting for a boy accused of murder used artificial intelligence to prepare their case and did not check before filing documents littered with mistakes.
Crash pilot denies flying high and failing to fuel up
A former pilot, now a paraplegic after a crash, has vigorously denied failing to fuel up one of reality TV star Matt Wright's helicopters.
‘Standard practice’: summiteers play down Treasury leak
Experts believe there's still hope for reform at an upcoming productivity roundtable after Treasury recommendations arising from the summit were leaked.
Liquid gas investment inflates Origin Energy’s profit
Profits are up for Australia's largest energy company despite challenges from the price of coal, energy tariffs and power plant uncertainty.
Ending greyhound racing could save taxpayers $450m
A state will fork out almost half a billion dollars in subsidies for the greyhound racing industry over the next decade, budget office analysis shows.
Further rate cuts at risk as rent pushes up inflation
Future rate cuts may be less likely if renting and construction costs contributing to housing inflation continue to grow.
Jobless fall gives RBA room before next rate cut
The unemployment rate slid to 4.2 per cent in July, partly because of an unwinding from an earlier, outsized jump, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports.
Parents urged to go to police with childcare concerns
Childcare educators are working for years after being banned and police want parents to report suspicions immediately to protect kids, an inquiry has been told.
PM slams Hamas as senior leader denies praising him
Anthony Albanese has warned against trusting Hamas propaganda as an official from the terrorist group denies reports it backed Labor's "political courage".
Former A-League player blames $16k fraud on late pay
An ex-Western United soccer player claims his embattled club's late payments were a factor in his yellow card betting fraud, which netted him about $16,000.
Poor effort, one-star: experts pan health rating uptake
Only one-third of packaged foods in supermarkets display health star ratings, making it difficult for consumers to compare items and identify healthy options.
‘Not acceptable’: child ‘groomer’ retains work permit
Authorities are racing to cancel a blacklisted educator's working with children permit after his ex-employer substantiated claims of inappropriate behaviour.
Former MP’s win against $40,000 fine for Facebook posts
A former Liberal MP has emerged victorious from a years-long battle over three unlawful social media posts that were set to cost him dearly.
Chopper death crash pilot details lies to investigators
Reality TV star Matt Wright asked a seriously injured pilot to manipulate helicopter flying hours after a fatal crash, a court has been told.
Police bullet accidentally fired during airport arrest
A bullet was fired by mistake from the rifle of a cop and hit a cafe oven as police arrested a disruptive man at a major airport on a busy travel day.
Locals reel as man accused of killing expecting couple
A homeless man has faced court over the alleged murders of a pregnant woman and her partner, whose deaths have shocked locals in the usually quiet area.
Energy retailer profits slump, looks to renewables
An electricity and gas retailer has seen a mammoth hit to its profits after a drop in energy prices as the company turns its focus towards renewables.
Animals may be ‘threatened species’ after algal bloom
An assessment of the devastation to marine animals caused by an unprecedented algal bloom will be fast-tracked by the federal government.
Tales of the jungle: how WWII’s eyes and ears endured
Facing the threat of Japanese invaders, World War II veterans who provided support to frontline troops were subjected to unbearable conditions.
Unions, business at loggerheads over four-day work week
Business groups are resisting a union push for a shorter working week as ideas to boost Australia's productivity are debated ahead of a roundtable.
CommBank’s record $10b profit could’ve been bigger: CEO
Commonwealth Bank could have delivered a better result than its $10 billion profit if it weren't positioning itself for AI revolution, its boss says.