‘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.
national news
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Accused in failed Invasion Day bombing attempt unmasked
The identity of a man accused of throwing a homemade bomb into a crowd of Australia Day protesters in an act of terrorism has been made public.
Please explain: Hanson lashed for anti-Islamic vitriol
Muslim leaders have challenged Pauline Hanson to explain exactly what policy changes she would like to see after an incendiary rant on late-night television.
No quick fix for overhauled Liberal immigration plan
The coalition's plan to curb Australia's migrant intake will be formally costed before its public release, delaying the exact details of its immigration policy.
Inflation does a job on wage growth, adds heat to rates
Rising inflation has pushed real wages below the level of rising costs, which could have a big impact on the Reserve Bank's next decision on interest rates.
Regional housing market booms, outpacing capital cities
Buyers are turning to regional Australia for housing affordability, but little relief can be found in some of the fastest-growing areas outside the cities.
Triple-zero outages and changes trigger more complaints
Complaints about telecommunications services are rising in Australia and faulty and disconnected mobile phone connections are making the biggest impact.
‘This has to stop’: mayor calls on Hanson to visit area
The mayor of a suburb labelled unsafe by Pauline Hanson because of its Muslim population is calling on the controversial senator to visit the area.
Suitors fire up steelmaker takeover with hotter offer
A takeover offer worth $2 billion more than a previous attempt to snare Australia's largest steelmaker is no certainty to be successful.
‘Ruined my life’: rape survivor demands justice
The survivor of an unsolved 40-year-old rape has recalled her abduction and assault: "This is the nightmare that everyone fears and it was happening to me."
Major builder expects ‘chronic undersupply’ to continue
Pent-up demand has property group Mirvac optimistic about the outlook for residential housing despite the prospect of higher interest rates.
Destructive hailstorms slash insurer firm’s bottom line
Suncorp's first-half profit has dropped 76 per cent after the insurer paid $1.3 billion in natural hazard claims, mostly related to two thunderstorms.
Private health insurance hike another blow for budgets
Under-pressure households will likely downgrade rather than ditch their private insurance after the health minister approved a big fee hike.
‘Disgusting’: ex-NRL star’s family targeted in gang war
A former NRL premiership star is recovering from surgery after being shot outside his home as his family is targeted in a spate of shootings and arson attacks.
‘Florid ramblings’: minister takes aim at CFMEU report
A minister has launched an extraordinary attack on the work of a top barrister probing CFMEU corruption as pressure builds on his party's leader.
Aussie shares clinch third session of gains, NAB soars
The washout in precious metals does not appear over, with gold miners still under pressure and dragging on the raw materials sector.
Labour pains for borrowers as jobs data hits rate hopes
Economists fear two solid jobs readings could push the RBA to inflict more borrowing pain on Australian mortgage-holders.
Coalition wins ‘reset’ but first real test looms large
Angus Taylor has waived a six-week suspension for the Nationals, signalling a fresh start for the coalition after two messy splits.