Floods to wreak further havoc on economy
Natural disasters caused billions in damage to the Australian economy in 2022 and the bill is expected to rise from further floods.
politics
Premier ‘deeply ashamed’ over Nazi costume
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet says wearing a Nazi uniform to his 21st birthday party was a naive, terrible mistake.
Albanese wants PNG-based team in NRL
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used a major speech to call for a Papua New Guinea-based, Pacific Islander team to be included in the National Rugby League.
Australia and PNG to strengthen security
Australia and Papua New Guinea are one step closer to strengthening their relationship as the countries take the next step in committing to a new security deal.
Ukraine denies battle for Soledar is lost
Russian mercenaries say they have captured the mining town of Soledar as the Ukraine says it is holding out and Moscow has not claimed victory.
Carbon border tariff on the table
The government is considering a tariff on polluting imports so that Australian firms covered by environmental regulations can remain competitive.
Berejiklian ICAC report due after election
The NSW corruption watchdog says it will deliver its report into former premier Gladys Berejiklian after the state election.
Annual inflation bounces back
Housing and transport costs fed into Australia's higher inflation score for November after a softer October result.
‘Difficult day’ following Pell’s death: PM
Cardinal George Pell has been hailed by a former prime minister as a "saint for our times", while Anthony Albanese has passed on the nation's condolences.
Good news for renters as hot market cools
The red-hot rental market seems to be cooling but vulnerable renters are still under pressure from sky-high prices.
China’s blunt words to Australia and Japan
Chinese ambassador Xiao Qian says Japan's failure to apologise for its conduct during World War II means it could again go to war with Australia in the future.
Big emitters get help to manage emissions
New compensation will go to big emitters under a revamped scheme designed to support heavy industry to cut pollution more quickly while remaining profitable.
Labor plans major social housing overhaul
Labor's planned restructuring of the NSW social housing system is an exercise in bureaucracy instead of building more homes, Premier Dominic Perrottet says.
Pilot says US extradition bid ‘political’
A former US military pilot facing extradition to the US has said he will fight what he calls a "political" bid that has singled him out.
Bolsonaro supporters detained after riots
While former leader Jair Bolsonaro is in a Florida hospital, about 1500 of his supporters have been arrested after storming through Brazil's seats of power.
Russia steps up attack on Donbas town
Ukraine has sent reinforcements to defend the salt-mining town of Soledar in the Donbas as Russia intensifies its assault on the area.
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.
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.