Budget bliss as Kmart brand helps bag Wesfarmers profit
Australian conglomerate company Wesfarmers has lifted its profit by 3.7 per cent on the previous year as consumers snapped up affordable products at Kmart.
national news
‘Take the lane’: Albanese denies US Pacific police plan
A video of what Anthony Albanese calls a "private conversation" with US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell shows a chummy relationship on Pacific policing.
Bank chiefs don’t rate a quick end to costs crunch
Interest rates might have reached their peak but the head of Westpac says many households are still grappling with tight budgets.
Sanctuary burning: sting in the tail for mangrove rays
A particular type of habitat that could serve as a temporary sanctuary for stingrays is set to become too hot to handle.
Home sweet home: the places people never leave
Waterside suburbs and areas with idyllic lifestyles are unsurprisingly among the tightest-held property markets in the country, new data reveals.
More gloom ahead as economy plods along in slow lane
Australia's economy has been barely limping along and more weakness is anticipated in upcoming national accounts data.
Phone messages contradict Higgins’ claims, court told
A defamation trial pitting a senator against Brittany Higgins has received evidence about the ex-staffer's movements before and after her alleged rape.
Developer forced to repay $11m ‘washed’ in tax fraud
The liquidators of Plutus Payroll will recoup over $11 million sent to a blackmailer threatening to expose what is now known as Australia's biggest tax fraud.
Challenge to act on ‘tragedy’ of defence suicides
Federal departments can't be trusted to solve military suicides alone and the government must intervene to stop the "crisis", Royal Commissioners warn.
Theatre bar walks the tightrope of live show venues
Brisbane theatre and cocktail bar The West End Electric opens with the Queensland premiere of Limbo - The Return. But will they make it under the limbo stick?
‘Get off their high horses’: call to end jumps racing
Former Victorian racing minister Rob Hulls is turning up the heat on the Labor government to become the last Australian state to ban jumps racing.
‘Closure’ for victims as serial rapist swim coach named
Former champion swimming coach Richard "Dick" Caine raped and sexually assaulted young athletes over several years, leaving lasting scars on his many victims.
company information
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
natural gas
oil and gas - downstream activities
Gas pipes supply solid cash flow in energy transition
Gas pipeline operator APA has posted a stronger full-year profit amid an expansion and urges more domestic gas production to support an end to coal-fired power.
Pacific backs Australia’s regional police initiative
Anthony Albanese has wasted no time getting to work at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, announcing support for his Pacific Policing Initiative.
Indigenous ancestors returning home from New Zealand
Six First Nations ancestors are being returned to Australia from a New Zealand museum and university.
Fortescue ‘doubling down’ on green iron despite leaks
Mining giant Fortescue pledges to create a green metals industry grounded in Australian ore and renewable energy, after pulling back on championing hydrogen.
Woolies registers big profit discount, says prices down
Sales are up at Woolworths but writedowns on its New Zealand stores and drinks business have a taken a huge slice out of its $1.7 billion operating profit.
It’s bad news for Nine as profits plunge amid cost cuts
The fractured advertising market continues to hit media revenues with Nine Entertainment full-year profits falling almost a third to $134.9 million.
Treasurer breaks ranks, slams ‘destructive’ student cap
Federal government plans to cap the number of international students at university have been labelled 'destructive' by Victoria's treasurer.
Power struggle: why solar batteries are tipped to soar
It's not just climate change and bills fuelling demand for solar batteries - the threat of blackouts is prompting more households to invest in energy storage.
Truckies, food riders and couriers fight for rights
Truck drivers, food delivery riders and parcel couriers are seeking fairer work conditions, which could pave the way for global reforms.
‘Negligent villains’ blamed for cladding fire risk
A combustible cladding manufacturer has defended its product in court, saying misuse by negligent building professionals created an increased fire risk.
CFMEU legal luck questioned as blue-collar anger boils
More than 50,000 angry protesters rallied against the construction union being put into administration but its chance of winning a legal fight is questionable.
Funding boost to help protect Aussies from disasters
Almost $400 million will be spent on projects to better protect Australians from natural disasters including key cyclone and flood protection upgrades.
Inflation steps down but ladder still steep for RBA
A mixed set of inflation numbers are unlikely to move the needle for the Reserve Bank as it weighs interest rates and persistent price pressures.
‘Groundbreaking’ Australia-Tuvalu pact signed at summit
A year after signing the Falepili Union, the leaders of Australia and Tuvalu have held a ceremony to mark the realisation of the groundbreaking pact.
Indigenous rangers sharing knowledge to protect Country
First Nations people at the forefront of protecting country have gathered to share their land and sea management strategies for the first time in a decade.
Australian Ballet leaps into new venue with 2025 slate
The Australian Ballet's 2025 season features two world premieres, by Stephanie Lake and William Forsythe, and the return of Nijinsky, Manon, and Carmen.
Home Affairs refuses apology to detainee over treatment
An immigration detainee held on Christmas Island was subject to unjustified force by security officers, but the Australian government will not apologise.
The great divide: treasurer’s Dutton spray sparks row
Peter Dutton has hit back at comments by the treasurer labelling him as the most divisive leader in Australia's political history.
Common drugs being laced with deadly potent synthetics
Extremely potent synthetics drugs that have already caused dozens of overdose deaths in 2024 are being found in vaping liquid, ecstasy and depressants.