economy
Treasurer absorbs warnings on budget fuelling inflation
16 May
While the federal government says its budget will lower inflation, analysts counter that broad cost-of-living relief, such as energy rebates and tax cuts, could make things worse. An expanded version of the energy-bill relief delivered in last...[Read More]
Australia boosts funding for Pacific to counter China
15 May
Australia will spend an extra $206 million to boost ties and increase its presence in the Indo-Pacific as a counter to Chinaâs growing influence in the region. Canberra is increasing its footprint through security deals and infrastructure...[Read More]
Refugee support services get budget boost
15 May
Transitional services for refugees and migrants have been topped up amid a federal budget scant on immigration details. The government has put aside $27 million in refugee and migrant funding over three years towards youth support, specialised...[Read More]
New flight route between Australia and Palau
8 May
A new non-stop flight service between Australia and Palau is being launched with the support of both countriesâ governments. The Palau Paradise Express, operated by Nauru Airlines, will fly between Brisbane and Palauâs commercial centre Koror,...[Read More]
Jobseeker cash rise quashed but other help on the cards
2 May
Calls to boost Jobseeker and youth allowance payments have been hosed down by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who says he will look at other ways to help struggling Australians as he prepares his third budget. A dozen top economists have joined a growing...[Read More]
Foreign investment rules deemed ânon-discriminatoryâ
2 May
The treasurer says Australiaâs foreign investment settings wonât discriminate against certain countries, even as his reforms respond to geopolitical threats, the energy transition and shifts in the global economy. Jim Chalmers will outline...[Read More]
Japanâs giants commit to Aussie nickel joint venture
1 May
Nickel explorer Ardea Resources will accelerate a âglobally significantâ $3 billion nickel project in Western Australia despite a glut in the battery metal. Ardea announced on Monday a co-operation agreement with Sumitomo Metal Mining and...[Read More]
More cost of living relief on cards in federal budget
24 April
Cost of living help in addition to well-signposted tax relief remains on the cards if the federal government can find room for it in the upcoming budget. Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the tax relief, due to kick in midway through this year, will be...[Read More]
Australia to dodge United Statesâ inflation uptick
18 April
Australia is yet to declare victory against inflation and hotter-than-expected price data out of the worldâs biggest economy and fresh volatility in oil markets are casting shadows over the outlook. AMP deputy chief economist Diana Mousina says...[Read More]
Budget surplus âstill our goalâ despite war, inflation
18 April
Australians have been warned the budget surplus could be tiny amid cost-of-living pressures and heightened global economic uncertainty with war in Europe and conflict in the Middle East. A month out from the federal budget, Treasurer Jim Chalmers...[Read More]
Inflation holds steady but services prove stubborn
28 March
The final stretch to bring inflation back to target is proving challenging, based on fresh data, though that is broadly what the Reserve Bank expected. The Australian Bureau of Statisticsâ monthly inflation indicator held steady at 3.4 per cent...[Read More]
Car prices wonât spike under new efficiency standards
28 March
Car prices wonât go up under Laborâs new fuel efficiency standards, Energy Minister Chris Bowen says. Transport Minister Catherine King and Mr Bowen unveiled the governmentâs final plans for new vehicle rules on Tuesday, which will be...[Read More]
âDeliberate demand destructionâ of gas stings consumers
27 March
Demonising gas is adding to the cost of living crisis, exacerbating the domestic supply gap and threatening investment in Australia, according to the gas industry. Senex Energy chief executive Ian Davies has accused the federal government of...[Read More]
Attempt to break up supermarkets labelled âdeficientâ
27 March
Ending supermarket price gouging without unintended consequences is important, the Nationals say, but can be done through a deal with the Liberals rather than the Greens. As Coles and Woolworths record more than a billion dollars in profits,...[Read More]
âPlease donât forget usâ: Ukrainians plead for more aid
27 March
âPlease, please donât forget us.â Those are the pleas of a Ukrainian child experiencing a war with no end in sight. Itâs been more than two years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on Ukraine, where civilians are suffering from...[Read More]