Inflation lying in wait to strike another rate blow
Despite a fall in headline inflation, a larger-than-expected rise in the underlying figure leaves the door open to more Reserve Bank rate hikes.
statistic
Youth crime dip sparks older offenders, reforms debate
Youth crime is falling in one state but it is unclear whether the government's tough "adult crime, adult time" reforms are playing a role in the trend.
Migrant intake dips as anti-immigration voices swell
Net overseas migration is slowly falling, but the figures remain above Labor's forecasts and the dramatic cuts demanded by the coalition and One Nation.
New data lights up enormity of tobacco black market
New wastewater analysis of nicotine consumption in Australia shows black market tobacco makes up a much larger share of sales than previously thought.
breaking_news
business (general)
consumer goods
consumers
economy, business and finance
finance (general)
inflation and deflation
interest rate
personal finance
politics
prices
statistic
Falling fuel prices bolster hopes for RBA rate reprieve
A cut in the fuel excise caused annual headline inflation to fall, but the underlying impulse for price pressures is still gathering steam.
Jobless jump, Iran war shoot down fears of rate rise
The big four banks are tipping the Reserve Bank to hold interest rates steady at its next meeting after the jobless rate surged and as the Iran war hits home.
breaking_news
business (general)
consumer goods
consumers
economy, business and finance
finance (general)
inflation and deflation
personal finance
politics
prices
statistic
Calm before storm: RBA braces for spikes and hikes
The economy is expected to be hit with a savage inflation spike which will in turn increase the chances of more interest rate hikes.
Four minutes a day: Aussie adults fail to break a sweat
Australia may be a nation of walkers rather than runners, as a national study finds adults complete less strenuous exercise than many would expect.
Spike in jobless rate unlikely to end RBA hiking cycle
A rise in unemployment and a surge in hiring point to conflicting impulses in Australia's labour market, but conditions remain relatively tight.
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.
Cost of locking up prisoners reaches eye-watering high
The cost of managing the nation's prison populations has exploded in the past decade as cells become fuller and more people reoffend.
Kids risk life of crime if interventions lack funding
Policing is not the way out of a state's youth crime crisis, a youth advocacy group says, after data showed repeat offenders were arrested 7000 times.
‘Zero to 100’: alarm over violent youth crime surge
A "perfect storm" is being blamed for a crime wave driven by theft and repeat offenders as police raise concerns about an alarming surge in youth violence.
‘Shameful’: state takes out crime hotspot title again
A domestic violence prevention advocate hopes reforms will help make an impact as one state retains its unwanted title as Australia's hotbed of crime.
Car theft claims skyrocket in one state, fall in others
Car theft claims are soaring to record levels in one Australian state while falling in all others, prompting concern amongst insurers.
Two cities lead Australia’s ageing population
Two cities continue to battle it out for the title of Australia's oldest capital, swapping places at the top of the table.
Call to slow city traffic amid rising pedestrian deaths
More pedestrians are being killed in road accidents across the nation, figures have revealed, leading calls for urgent speed limit reductions.
‘Confusing’: war of words over victim of crime numbers
A state premier's claim to have turned around crime issues since coming to power is facing scrutiny with experts questioning the government's numbers.
New questions on sexuality, gender part of census trial
New questions about sexuality and gender will be part of a trial run of the national census involving more than 60,000 homes ahead of the main event.
Retail spending tipped to stay soft as home prices soar
Housing prices are expected to climb ever higher, even as a predicted recovery in dwelling consents shines a ray of hope on Australia's supply ambitions.
economic indicator
economy, business and finance
inflation and deflation
interest rate
macro economics
statistic
Spotlight on inflation as state treasurers come clean
Monthly inflation data and state budget updates are set to dominate the economic agenda and shape the Reserve Bank's next cash rate call.
Spotlight on unemployment as jobs market loses heat
Jobs data is set to dominate the economic agenda in Australia, while onlookers expect the Federal Reserve to keep US interest rates on hold.
business (general)
consumer confidence
economic indicator
economy, business and finance
macro economics
statistic
Businesses and consumers caught between opposing forces
Falling interest rates are not buoying the spirits of households and firms as fast as hoped, as global economic uncertainty keeps a lid on sentiment.
Price moves to help RBA plot course through uncertainty
Australia's central bank will seek signs of stability as it tries to chart a course to lower interest rates through the murky waters of global uncertainty.
More crimes solved but are police paying a heavy price?
Police are solving more crimes but the push to improve efficiency is leaving officers exhausted and driving them out of the force, an expert warns.
Crime spiking in regions as youth crackdown challenged
One state faces a "regional crime crisis" with roots in family dysfunction and a tougher laws and crackdowns will not fix it, a leading youth advocate says.
Tougher bail key to stopping crime surge, says top cop
With crime surging to record levels, one of Australia's largest police forces is pleading for government to fast-track tougher bail laws.
‘Unwanted milestone’: family violence sparks crime high
Police are telling families to be alert in the lead-up to Christmas for signs of domestic violence in the wake of a shocking new report.
Trans question won’t make census despite Labor’s U-turn
Trans and intersex people should not be left out of the census, LGBTQI groups say after forcing Labor to backtrack on a plan to scrap a question on sexuality.
‘Show courage’: Labor MP rebels on LGBTQI census topics
Josh Burns is the first Labor MP to publicly call on his government to reconsider its decision not to include LGBTQI questions in the next census.
E-scooter deaths remain a mystery, motoring group warns
The number of people killed or injured in e-scooter accidents in Australia remains unclear due to inconsistent reporting between states, a group has warned.