Budget handout claims fuel fears of further rate pain
Treasurer Jim Chalmers must follow through on his promises of a disciplined budget or risk forcing the Reserve Bank to hike rates further, economists warn. After the RBA raised interest…
Off track: big rail project slashed after cost blowout
A major freight route designed to connect Australia’s east coast will be left half-finished after nearly tripling in cost over six years. The federal budget will include plans to pare…
Games, chat groups targeted in terror crackdown
Spies will scour gaming platforms and social media for extremist content in a bid to clamp down on terrorist activity across Australia. The federal budget will include funding to set…
Consumers hang tough despite echoes of COVID headwinds
Australian consumers are showing resilience in the face of rising interest rates, fuel prices and other costs, according to credit agency data. Despite the headwinds, strong momentum in consumer activity…
Anti-Semitism ‘interlaced’ with actions of Israel
Jewish Australians should not be held accountable for the actions of the Israeli government, despite most holding a strong attachment to the country itself, an inquiry has been told. Members…
‘Downside risks’: warning as state debt edges to $200b
Tackling cost of living over driving down state debt has baffled the business sector and raised the eyebrows of a credit ratings agency. Handing down her second budget on Tuesday…
RBA raises rate. Leaves pressure on Chalmers’ tax fiddling
As widely expected, the Reserve Bank raised its interest rate by another 0.25% points today, just in time for Jim Chalmers’ next budget. Michael Pascoe reports. The headline is the…
Inflation, growth, rates all hinge on end to conflict
The crisis in the Middle East fanned the flames of already buoyant inflation in Australia and could lead to more interest rate pain if it isn’t resolved, the central bank…
Blast at China fireworks factory kills 21: state media
A blast at a fireworks factory in China’s Hunan province has killed 21 people and injured 61 others, prompting President Xi Jinping to call for a thorough investigation, state media…
Shares drop as US and Iran strikes hit fragile truce
Oil prices have surged and Australian equities are again under pressure after a US plan to reopen the Hormuz Strait provoked a show of force from Iran, leaving a four-week…