Finances

Flooded town. | Newsreel

Insurers call for $30 billion fund for flood defence

Australia’s insurance industry has proposed a $30 billion fund to protect some of the country’s most flood-prone areas. In its policy recommendations in the lead up
Read more 27 February 2025
Australian cash. | Newsreel

Most Australians want cash mandate for businesses

Nearly every Australian supports a government mandate for businesses to continue to accept cash. A survey by consumer group Choice found 97 percent of Aussies thought it
Read more 27 February 2025
Piggy bank Australia. | Newsreel

Should you worry super is invested in private markets?

By Mark Melatos If you are a member of a super fund, some of your long-term savings are probably invested in private markets. Public markets are familiar to most of us
Read more 26 February 2025
Woman filling up car with petrol. | Newsreel

Petrol prices drop to a three-year low

Petrol prices across Australia have hit a three-year low, while Brisbane motorists had to tolerate the biggest gap between retail and wholesale prices in the
Read more 26 February 2025
Light bulbs. | Newsreel

Queensland rebates’ power over inflation numbers fade

The tailing off of Queensland State Government electricity rebates lifted inflation in a key sector last month, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). ABS
Read more 26 February 2025
Wheat harvest Australia. | Newsreel

Drier weather drops winter crops by 27 percent

Drier conditions has led to a more than 25 percent dip in Australia’s winter crop production figures. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows the
Read more 26 February 2025
Nest egg Australia. | Newsreel

Aussie retirement savings set to be second only to US

Australia’s collective retirement nest eggs will become the second largest in the world in less six years, according to new analysis. Super Members Council (SMC)
Read more 25 February 2025
Medicare card Australia. | Newsreel

What the bulk billing announcements mean for patients

By Stephen Duckett Labor has foreshadowed a major Medicare change to address the falling rate of bulk billing, with an $8.5 billion election announcement. The Government
Read more 24 February 2025
Australian money. | Newsreel

Annual wage growth drops to 3.2 percent

Recent wage growth has slowed, with increases returning to 2022 levels. Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today showed the Wage Price Index
Read more 19 February 2025
Reserve Bank of Australia building. | Newsreel

RBA cuts rates but cautious about “further easing”

The Reserve Bank of Australian cut the cash rate by 25 basis points, to 4.10 percent, at its Board meeting today. In its Statement after the meeting, it said inflation
Read more 18 February 2025