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Australian online retail sales grew again May.

RetailCommentsOnline retail sales grow as Aussies spend $63b in past year

Australian online retail sales grew again May — albeit slower — as consumers spent up on fashion, games and toys.

Cheyanne Enciso

Aerial view of contemporary houses in the coastal suburb of Cottesloe in Perth, Australia

EconomicsCommentsAustralians $6 trillion richer than before pandemic: ABS

Australians are $6 trillion richer than before the pandemic — on paper — as new numbers show how inflation and the housing affordability crunch have shaped the nation’s distribution of wealth.

Matt Mckenzie

Chloe Lennon, Eolise Sheldrick, Issy Renough (all 15) took advantage of the end of financial year sales.

BusinessComments‘More money than we think’: Gerry Harvey on EOFY splurge

Harvey Norman chair Gerry Harvey reckons shoppers have cast aside the cost of living crunch to snap up bargains during the end of financial year sales, saying ‘there’s more money out there than we think’.

Cheyanne Enciso

THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 25: US President Donald Trump during a news conference on the second day of the 2025 NATO Summit on June 25, 2025 in The Hague, Netherlands. Among other matters, members are to approve a new defense investment plan that raises the target for defense spending to 5% of GDP. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images)

EconomyPremiumTrump’s trade war the stuff of nightmares for WA bosses

Almost one-in-five WA business leaders are heading to sleep at night worrying about Donald Trump’s trade war and conflict in the Middle East, with their outlook on the economy getting gloomier.

Matt Mckenzie

Flames surround molten gold poured into a mold during gold ingot production at a foundry. Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg

EconomyPremiumStormy seas as good as gold for miners

Australian gold exports are expected to hit $56 billion next financial year after political uncertainty sent the commodity’s price rocketing.

Matt Mckenzie

A government funding grant will allow a retail giant to power up its clean energy plans. (HANDOUT/MEDIA & CAPITAL PARTNERS)

EconomyPremiumLower energy use just the beginning for retail giant

Lower energy prices might make its way into the Bunnings catch-phrase as the retailer looks to fast-track the decarbonisation of its services.

Fraser Barton

The view of Mosman Bay from Owston Street in Mosman Park.

EconomyCommentsPremiumATO data reveals earnings in WA’s top postcodes

New figures have showed just how much cash is earned in Perth’s wealthy western suburbs as Western Australia’s powerhouse economy pays dividends.

Matt Mckenzie

Woolworths plans to close its MyDeal customer website by September 30. (Con Chronis/AAP PHOTOS)

EconomyPremiumWoolworths bins MyDeal amid stiff online competition

Woolworths says it intends to focus on online marketplaces it has built into its Woolworths.com.au and BigW.com.au websites after deciding to close MyDeal.

Derek Rose

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos MAY 20, 2025: Michele Bullock during a press conference following the RBA announcement to cut the interest rate by 0.25 percentage points on Tuesday. NewsWire / Nikki Short

EconomyWestpac is banking on a July rate cut

Westpac has become the third big four bank tipping an interest rate cut in July but chief economist Luci Ellis warned the decision would be line ball.

Matt Mckenzie

Australian household wealth has ballooned on the back of strong property price growth. NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

newsPremiumAustralians’ insane net worth revealed

Australians have added more than $125bn to their household wealth in just the first quarter of 2025 thanks to one thing.

Cameron Micallef

WA small businesses are optimistic about the year ahead, says CommBank research.

Small BusinessCommentsPremiumRising bills a headache for optimistic WA small businesses

WA small businesses are more optimistic about the year ahead compared with the rest of the country, but keeping up with rising phone and electricity bills is proving a challenge.

Cheyanne Enciso

A change in tax policy could see small businesses needing to pay their tax liabilities sooner. NewsWire / Emma Brasier

TAXPremiumMajor tax change impacting millions

Millions of Australians are being urged to check their tax status ahead of a law aimed at recouping $45bn coming into effect in just a few days.

Cameron Micallef

Michele Bullock during a press conference following the RBA announcement to cut the interest rate by 0.25 percentage points on Tuesday. NewsWire / Nikki Short

updated
updated
EconomyComments
updated
July rate relief firms as May inflation slows to 2.1pc

Hopes for another interest rate cut have been boosted by slowing inflation but economists have declared the RBA will have a “close” decision at its meeting next month.

Matt Mckenzie

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UPDATEDPremiumMajor bank’s rate cut call after inflation dip

In welcome news for mortgage holders, a major bank has declared a July rate cut is a done deal on the back of weaker than expected inflation figures.

Cameron Micallef

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State PoliticsPremium‘Sharp’: Dark warning for major Aussie state

A mounting debt hole in one Australian state has sparked warnings of a ‘sharp’ financial deterioration.

Blair Jackson

The Treasurer said he extended the invitation to his new Opposition counterpart because he believed it would be a good thing for the country to have Mr O’Brien engaged.

Federal PoliticsCommentsTreasurer invites opposition to economic reform talks

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said he extended the invitation to his new Opposition counterpart because he believed it would be a good thing for the country to have Ted O’Brien engaged in the push for reforms.

Katina Curtis

Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ recent speech at the National Press Club offered some good ideas. But productivity isn’t a spreadsheet problem. It’s a systems problem. And more than that, it’s a people problem, writes Conrad Liveris.

opinion
opinion
CONRAD LIVERISComments
opinion
There’s no superhero to fix productivity. It’s up to us

Australia’s productivity growth is limping along. We’re moving slower than traffic on the freeway in peak hour, with about as much co-ordination.

Conrad Liveris

The benchmark ASX200 climbed higher on Tuesday. NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

MarketsPremiumASX200: Oil nosedives on ceasefire promise

The Australian sharemarket has finished in positive territory despite volatile tensions in the Middle East.

Blair Jackson

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - June 18, 2025: Dr Jim Chalmers MP, Treasurer of Australia addresses the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra on "Our Second Term Economic Agenda". NewsWire / Martin Ollman

EconomyPremiumUnder the pump: Jim’s warning for petrol servos

Jim Chalmers has moved to get ahead of looming fuel price pain by ordering the corporate watchdog to keep an eye on petrol bowsers, as Middle East tensions send oil markets on a rollercoaster.

Matt Mckenzie

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breakingPremiumWinners and losers in NSW budget

The Minns NSW government has handed down its third budget, with huge wins for renters and public service workers. Here’s what’s in it for you.

Cameron Micallef

Fuel prices are expected to rise after the US bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

EconomyPremiumInflation warning as conflict in Middle East escalates

Experts warn Australia is not immune to the consequences of conflict in the Middle East as Iran's missile strike on a US base triggers fears of an all-out war.

Andrew Brown

A survey has highlighted the cost-of-living crisis among people who use Salvation Army services. (Dan Peled/AAP PHOTOS)

EconomyPremiumCold washes, no soap for those stuck in poverty prison

Australians stuck below the poverty line struggle to afford to take their children to school or have hot showers, according to a major charity.

Rachael Ward

Gas appliances have been banned in new homes in the City of Sydney. NewsWire / Ian Currie

NewsPremiumHuge change for new homes in major council

A major city council has made sweeping changes to the way residents cook and heat their homes.

Blair Jackson

Eight of the 11 sectors fell during a volatile day of trading. Photo: Gaye Gerard / NewsWire

MarketsPremiumASX falls to three-week low on Iran fears

Australia’s sharemarket slid during Monday on fears the Middle East conflict could escalate but the falls were limited thanks to one banking juggernaut.

Cameron Micallef