economy
Concern Australian jobs at risk over Trump’s tariffs
13 February
Industrial communities are holding their breath to see whether Australia can negotiate an exemption to US President Donald Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs. While Mr Trump signed off on 25 per cent tariffs without exception, confirmation he’s...[Read More]
Business conference revival an Aussie economic boon
12 February
From space science conventions to paediatric gastroenterology conferences, Australia has bagged $1 billion worth of international events. The lucrative business events sector took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic and has struggled to get back on...[Read More]
Musk-like efficiency role ‘strange’ call for Australia
6 February
Australia has a red tape problem and even the boss of the corporate watchdog acknowledges it. But introducing an Elon Musk-style Minister for Deregulation is a “strange” way to go about it, Jim Chalmers says. The treasurer was responding to a...[Read More]
Tax changes ruled out as treasurer launches food fight
23 January
The treasurer has poured cold water on any new taxes, saying Labor is focused on targeted cost of living relief. Asked whether Labor would bring any new taxes to the upcoming federal election, Jim Chalmers said, “no, our focus is on the tax...[Read More]
Twelve days’ reproductive health leave could save $26b
15 January
Australia’s economy is deprived of $26.6 billion annually due to lost productivity from untreated reproductive health conditions, a report reveals. The findings have fuelled calls for a national entitlement of 12 days of reproductive leave. The...[Read More]
Australia’s bullet-proof jobs market put to the test
15 January
Attention is poised to turn to the state of hiring and firing in Australia for signs the labour market is gradually unwinding as expected in a sluggish economy. Thursday’s labour force numbers for December from the Australian Bureau of Statistics...[Read More]
Short trips, cheaper grub: tight budgets change travel
2 January
Booking hotels and tickets well in advance has long defined Australian travellers but as household budgets come under stress, last-minute trips and spontaneity are becoming more popular. Amid high prices for groceries, housing and other essentials,...[Read More]
Welfare payments, wage theft laws to change in new year
2 January
MAJOR CHANGES TO PAYMENTS AND REGULATIONS AFFECTING AUSTRALIANS IN 2025: * Wage theft laws will come into effect, meaning employers who underpay workers will be committing a criminal offence * More than one million Australians will see government...[Read More]
Carer, student, youth support payments set to grow
12 December
More than one million Australians will soon receive a hip-pocket bump as their support payments increase. From January 1, payments for young people, students, carers and others will be indexed to keep up with inflation. Jobseekers, students,...[Read More]
‘Surprise’ budget windfalls drying up, economists warn
28 November
Australia is waving goodbye to budget surpluses and returning abruptly to deficit, facing a $49 billion deterioration in the bottom line as per forecasts from leading economists. The $15.8 billion surplus logged in the last financial year to...[Read More]
Thousands wiped off student debt in pre-Christmas gift
27 November
Millions of university graduates and students will soon wake up to an early Christmas present after the government wiped thousands of dollars off their debts. Laws to cap the indexation rate for the Higher Education Loan Program at either the rate...[Read More]
Social cohesion holds despite inflation, high migration
21 November
The vast majority Australians still view multiculturalism and immigration favourably despite growing concern about the number of new arrivals. Almost half of those surveyed in the 2024 Scanlon Mapping Social Cohesion report said migration into...[Read More]
Bonus to stick with army helps Australia to stay ready
7 November
Cash bonuses for serving personnel will do little to improve retention rates, a veterans’ welfare organisation warns. The Albanese government on Tuesday announced a $600 million package to keep people in the military, while releasing the 2024...[Read More]
Stage three tax cut spending spree yet to surface
17 October
Tax cuts don’t appear to be fuelling shopping sprees, with transaction data suggesting extra take-home pay is going towards staples and paying down debt. Footy finals were the only bright spot in an otherwise glum September for spending, with...[Read More]
Few plan to spend tax returns as economy stalls
12 July
Just one in 20 Australians plan to splurge on big-ticket items when their tax returns come through, with most opting to squirrel them away or pay down debt. Amid acute cost of living pressures and a string of interest rate rises, surveying by...[Read More]