Economy
Unions hail pay boost for millions of low-paid workers
5 June
Nearly three million low-paid workers will take home an extra $32 a week in pay after the industrial umpire decided to make up for falling real wages and living standards in recent years. The Fair Work Commission delivered a 3.5 per cent increase...[Read More]
Restaurants on the brink as business failures plateau
29 May
The future of many businesses struggling to stay afloat rests upon the Reserve Bank and Donald Trump. Business conditions in Australia remain perilously difficult, with insolvency levels at record highs in April, CreditorWatch reported in its...[Read More]
Renewables, AI rules top productivity reform wishlist
22 May
Regulating the reckless use of artificial intelligence, speeding up approvals for renewable energy projects, and changing privacy and corporate tax laws will be targeted in a push to boost the Australian economy. The Productivity Commission named 15...[Read More]
Foreign Purchaser Ban – How are you affected?
10 April
The Australian property market has seen intense growth in the last few years, which has led to pressure on the Federal Government to curb that growth and make it possible for first-time buyers to enter the property market. Growth in the next year is...[Read More]
Jobs market strong but Trump tariff bomb yet to explode
24 April
Global headwinds stirred by “erratic” US policy decisions could still hit the Australian jobs market despite latest figures showing only a small uptick in unemployment. About 30,000 jobs were created in March after a shock 53,000 slump in...[Read More]
Working women key to future economic growth: bank boss
16 April
Women’s participation in the Australian economy has been remarkably transformed in the past 40 years but more progress is needed, the head of the central bank says. Michele Bullock made history in 2023 when she became the first woman appointed...[Read More]
Trump steel deal could fire up housing sector boost
20 February
A deal with Donald Trump could deliver a win for Australia’s construction sector, a peak industry body says. Australian officials have been working to carve out an exemption from the US president’s 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium...[Read More]
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]
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]
Rate cuts on horizon in mixed 2025 for the economy
2 January
Australians have endured taxing economic conditions in the past calendar year, but there is cause for cautious hope in 2025. Long-awaited interest rate cuts are broadly expected in the first half of the year, providing household budgets with...[Read More]
Signs of slow build back with home approvals sluggish
1 August
A sharp fall in approvals for apartments and townhouses has dragged total building approval numbers lower, interrupting four months of gains. Higher interest rates and pricey materials, labour and other costs have been weighing on home building,...[Read More]