Rising property prices push loan sizes through the roof
Soaring real estate prices in mid-sized capitals has pushed the average new owner-occupier mortgage to record levels.
national news
Plea to avoid panic as ‘unusual’ deadly outbreak grows
Victoria's legionnaires' disease outbreak has grown to 71 confirmed cases and a further seven suspected, following the death of an infected woman in her 90s.
‘Transnational’ gang behind billion-dollar meth import
A man has been charged over an international plot to import almost a tonne of methamphetamine inside industrial machinery, but the ringleaders remain at large.
Ore-some state tipped to win race for green steel jobs
Higher-grade iron ore, deep water ports and a 100-per cent renewable energy grid give South Australia the edge on other states chasing future green steel jobs.
Hope for ‘better future’ as PM lands at Garma Festival
Australia's largest Indigenous cultural festival has officially opened with bunggul (dance) as the prime minister joined attendees in Arnhem Land.
Senator labelled a villain in Higgins’ ‘fairytale’
Brittany Higgins made allegations of ill-treatment, ostracism, bullying and harassment but none of it was true, Senator Linda Reynolds' lawyer told a court.
Former PwC head grilled over role in tax scandal
The former boss of PwC in Australia, Tom Seymour, has made his first public comments since resigning due to the tax advice scandal.
Telcos to proceed with 3G closure despite inquiry fears
Threats to safety from the 3G mobile network shutdown are "too great to ignore", an inquiry warns, but Telstra and Optus are pressing ahead with their plans.
Growing legionnaires’ outbreak shows no sign of slowing
Australia's health system can manage the impact of a legionnaires' outbreak "very well", authorities say as cases continue to soar.
Vanguard faces fine for greenwashing ‘ethical’ fund
Investment firm could have to pay fines amounting to all, or most, of it's annual profits after misleading consumers by promoting an "ethical" investment fund.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
economy (general)
environmental issue
prices
road transport
transport
Price cuts may recharge Aussie electric vehicle market
Some of Australia's biggest electric vehicle brands have cut the price of their models, with one setting a record cost for low-emission cars.
Housing ‘defining issue’ for economy, says treasurer
Rents remain a lingering source of inflation weighing heavily on household budgets, with the federal government keen to see more homes built to ease pressures.
Mood-altering drug use a ‘human right’: top prosecutor
Australia's longest-serving public prosecutor is pushing for a Portuguese-style cannabis model that decriminalises drugs and brings users before experts.
Doubt cast over plan to convert CBD offices into homes
The cost of retrofitting under-used Melbourne CBD offices into residential apartments is proving an obstacle to a key housing policy getting off the ground.
Why the next ride you share could be in an electric car
Another 500 electric vehicles will be made available for rideshare drivers as part of a $20 million investment in the industry.
Aussies told to leave Lebanon as contingencies prepped
Australians in Lebanon have been told to leave immediately as the security situation deteriorates and commercial flights are at risk of being grounded.
construction and property
consumer confidence
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
inflation and deflation
retail
Relief in sight as rates focus switches to cuts
Mortgage-holders appear to have avoided another interest rate hike, in a welcome development for the federal government with an election on the horizon.
Indigenous inequality not solvable overnight: PM
Just five of 19 Closing the Gap targets are on track to being met, a report says, leading to calls for the federal government to step in and do more.
Disability reform chance squandered, say advocates
Claims it is delaying reforms recommended by the disability royal commission have been rejected by the federal government, despite concern from advocates.
PM downplays airline duopoly as Rex waits for lifeline
A competition tsar has taken issue with the prime minister's suggestion that regional airline Rex engineered its own demise by targeting capital-city routes.
Journalists at Nine end pay dispute with management
Editorial staff from the Sydney Morning Herald, the Age and other Nine mastheads have struck a deal with management over improved pay and conditions.
Disgraced TV star appeals domestic violence conviction
Lawyers for former TV host Andrew O'Keefe have taken aim at the credibility of a woman he was found guilty of assaulting, in a bid to overturn his conviction.
Special education to stay despite royal commission call
While a royal commission urged for special schools to be phased out for students with disabilities, states and territories say the arrangements will stay.
Political playground fight rages over school funding
As the number of Australians finishing high school slips, the federal government has proposed a new plan to help students and teachers.
CFMEU-busting law being prepared, new minister says
Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt has tasked his department to have new laws ready to go if the tarnished CFMEU push to fight its administration.
diesel fuel
economy (general)
energy (general)
energy and resource
energy resources
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
politics (general)
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Industry calls for $3b fund to clean dirty big trucks
A big investment will be needed to put more heavy-duty electric trucks on the road, an industry group says, as well as changes to support cleaner fuel.
ASX hits record high, dollar sinks as inflation cools
The ASX200 rose 1.8 per cent in its best single-day performance since late 2022, while the Aussie fell under 65 US cents for the first time in three months.
Social media summit to reveal evidence for teen ban bid
A joint state government summit on social media will address its "profound" harm on young people, and inform moves to impose age restrictions.
‘It’s everything’: rural Australians fear Rex’s fate
Rural Australians who rely on Rex for health, education, mail and groceries fear for their future as the regional airline entered voluntary administration.
Aussie babies get peanut allergy therapy in world-first
Babies with peanut allergies in Australia will be offered a treatment program under a world-first model aiming to transform allergy care.
company information
economy, business and finance
energy and resource
environmental cleanup
metal and mineral
mining
nuclear power
Rio Tinto ‘open’ to nuclear energy, profit flatlines
Rio Tinto says it wants to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs but warns decarbonisation has "a long way to go".