China open to co-operation with Australia
China's ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian has given a rare media conference, encouraging Australia to drop WTO complaints over Chinese-imposed trade sanctions.
politics
Port bottlenecks cost economy $600m a year
Inefficiencies in Australian ports cost the economy $600 million a year and push up prices for consumers, a new report by the Productivity Commission has found.
PM surveys Kimberley flood devastation
Anthony Albanese has toured WA's flood-ravaged Kimberley and spoke of the "great spirit" among Fitzroy Crossing locals he met alongside the state's premier.
More cost-of-living relief on the cards
Treasurer Jim Chalmers will consider cost-of-living relief measures in the May budget as long as they won't break the bank.
Carbon scheme changes to boost confidence
The federal government has pledged to make changes to improve public confidence in Australia's carbon credit scheme.
PM treats voice voters ‘like mugs’: Dutton
Opposition leader Peter Dutton says the government needs to release more detail on the proposed Indigenous voice to parliament or risks losing a referendum.
Voice leaders ‘tired of political games’
Professor Megan Davis insists Australians won't head to the ballot box without knowing what they are voting for on the Indigenous voice to parliament.
construction and property
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
politics
real estate
National housing accord needs renovation
Federal laws are in the works as more Aussies slide into housing stress and homelessness, but critics are urging immediate measures as rents and mortgages rise.
Plunging home values break 40-year record
Higher interest rates, household debt and the erosion of savings since the pandemic have been blamed for the steepest plunge in home values since at least 1980.
Brazil removes governor over protests
Brazil's new president has accused Brasilia's governor, a former Bolsonaro ally who oversees the local police force, of doing nothing to stop protesters.
Bolsonaro fanatics storm Brazil’s capital
In scenes reminiscent of Washington DC in 2021, about 3000 supporters of Brazil's own ousted far right leader have stormed Congress and the Supreme Court.
Property downturn biggest on record
The housing market downturn has eclipsed previous records as interest rate hikes continue to erode borrowing power.
Hundreds fined in Qld e-scooter crackdown
Queensland authorities have issued almost 800 fines for speeding and other offences following a crackdown on reckless e-scooter riders launched in November.
$1b stadium delay ‘risks’ Olympics benefit
Queensland risks the 2032 Olympics being "about red carpets and champagne" if claimed delays over funding negotiations are true, the state opposition says.
Coal sector confidence up on China news
Australian coal exporters are becoming more confident the latest reports that China will allow coal trade to resume are more than just a rumour.
Aussies stung for millions in crypto crash
The FTX collapse wiped many crypto wallets and took out smaller exchanges, but administrators for Aussie platform Digital Surge are working on a rescue plan.
Coal giants confident China back at table
Australia's coal industry is putting credibility in reports China will allow imports of the nation's resource to begin again for the first time since 2020.
Indigenous advice about environment policy
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has made a series of appointments to an Indigenous advisory committee that provides feedback on land and sea management.
Australia gets new missiles, rockets
The Australian Defence Force will acquire new naval strike missiles and long-range rocket systems in a bid to boost national security.
NSW Labor sues over Aldi bag donation
NSW Labor has sued its former lawyers for more than $1.6 million, alleging advice about a $100,000 donation delivered in a plastic Aldi bag was negligent.
Rudd claims US throws allies ‘under a bus’
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has accused America of throwing its allies "under a bus" while relying on their support to counter China's economic influence.
More than 130 flooded homes in Qld buyback
More than 130 home owners in flood-prone areas of Queensland have accepted government offers to buy back their properties but dozens have not taken up the deal.
Chinese state media plays down COVID wave
China has rejected criticism of its COVID data and its state media has called other nation's new curbs on Chinese traveller's "discriminatory".
Government eyes China COVID-19 management
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the government is closely monitoring the situation in China and is concerned about its influence on the Australian economy.
Economy at risk from China’s COVID wave
The treasurer says China's COVID-19 outbreak will weigh on Australian businesses, which rely on the country's customers and suppliers.
Public holiday call as SA survey launched
An influential union has called for Easter Sunday to become a public holiday in South Australia as residents of the state are urged to have their say.
Minister defends COVID travel advice snub
Mark Butler says he is taking an abundance of caution in requiring travellers from China to record a negative COVID-19 test despite advice against the measure.
Crucial minerals underpin volatile exports
Riding geopolitics, rising costs and volatile prices, Australia will pick up its quest to supply more refined materials rather than being the world's quarry.
Terror and Tampa in 2002 cabinet papers
Key decisions made by the Howard government in 2002 have been laid bare in cabinet papers released by the National Archives after a 20-year embargo was lifted.
‘No regrets’ over refugee plan: Vanstone
The Howard government's approach to refugees and asylum seekers in 2002 has been outlined in cabinet papers released by the National Archives of Australia.
New year rings in federal policy changes
Federal policy changes taking effect on January 1 range from increased fines to cheaper medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.