Warning for Liberals on net zero as axing calls grow
The coalition is unlikely to be in power for another decade if the Liberals follow the Nationals in jettisoning their commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, an expert warns.…
Illicit cigarettes surge clouds modest spending lift
Australia’s addiction to black-market tobacco has dragged down consumer spending figures, as the nation’s economic recovery stumbles along. After two soft months of growth, household spending rose just 0.2 per…
Reese Witherspoon admits anxiety is key to her success
Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon puts her success down to anxiety, saying she’s been “rewarded” for perfectionism and stresses herself out “in service of my job”. Reflecting on her acting and…
It was a mistake to replace Biden with Harris: Clooney
Hollywood actor George Clooney says it was a mistake to replace Joe Biden with Kamala Harris during the 2024 US presidential election. The outspoken Democrat, also said he was “saddened”…
Westpac touts ‘solid’ year as profits near $7b
Westpac has delivered a $6.9 billion full-year net profit, up slightly on its result for the previous year. The big four bank on Monday said its net interest margin, a…
Pay per shower: fully-funded aged care turns market-driven aged support
The new Support at Home Program for the elderly is introducing a ‘free market’ transactional aged care system. It’s a retrograde step, Sarah Russell reports. Forty years ago, the Hawke…
Optus execs to face grilling over triple-zero outage
Top Optus executives and senior government officials will face the music at a parliamentary inquiry into their response to a triple-zero outage linked to the deaths of three people. A…
Labor spruiks Medicare spending as parliament resumes
The government will talk up its healthcare credentials by arguing billions of dollars in Medicare incentives are already yielding results as parliament resumes for another sitting week. On Saturday major…
World Economic Forum head warns of AI, crypto bubbles
Large investments in artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies could lead to the development of bubbles, according to World Economic Forum president Børge Brende. “There is definitely a geopolitical disorder … But…
Home prices turbocharged as deposit guarantee kicks in
Property prices have recorded the sharpest growth in more than two years after the government’s deposit guarantee scheme ignited demand for entry-level homes. The first-home buyer scheme, which was expanded…