ABC Business Daily
ABC Business Daily unpacks the latest business and finance news, analyzing stories that move share markets, shape industries, and affect the Australian economy. From Monday to Thursday, Senior Business Correspondent Carrington Clarke examines the biggest business news with ABC's specialist reporters. On Fridays, financial journalist Alan Kohler hosts in-depth interviews with decision-makers, innovators, and strategists shaping the economy.
Episodes
Katharina Lou and the new rules of retail
Katharina Mildren started her fashion label, Katharina Lou, at her kitchen table not long after finishing university. A few years on, the business is growing at 50 per cent a year, employs half a dozen full-time staff, and has built a customer base that extends well beyond Australia.This is partly a classic founder story - how to start a business, manage cash flow, deal with stoc
Trump loves inflation
Inflation in the United States has jumped to a three-year high, with rising energy prices adding fresh pressure as the war in Iran escalates again.So what does hotter US inflation mean for global markets, interest rates, and Australia?And with SpaceX about to go public in what could be a historic market moment, how should investors think about the hype - and the growing security
Woolworths to offshore office jobs
Australian grocery giant Woolworths is expected to ship hundreds of corporate jobs offshore. Barbeques Galore says it's going to close up shop with hundreds of workers facing redundancy. What to make of these retail shakeups?And why is Wesfarmers positive about the transformational power of AI?Carrington Clarke and ABC Business Reporter Steph Chalmers break it all down on ABC Bus
Fuelcast: A global 'electrification moment'?
Energy and Climate Minister Chris Bowen says Australia’s petrol, diesel, and jet fuel reserves are now higher than they were when the war in Iran began - and enough to keep the country secure through August. But as Transport Minister Catherine King warns, the fuel excise cut is still expected to end this month. So is what we have on hand enough?And what does that tell us about fu
Is the SpaceX IPO risky?
After weeks of anticipation, Elon Musk’s SpaceX is finally about to go public at the end of this week - but not before OpenAI also turned heads, with news that it's looking to test the public market.So is there any risk behind the sky-high SpaceX hype? And a week out from the RBA’s next rate decision, economists at Australia’s big four banks can’t seem to agree on the RBA's next
OPEC+ to produce more oil
Negotiations between Iran and the US remain up in the air as Iran sends missiles toward Israel for the first time since April. Meanwhile the oil producing countries of OPEC+ say they will increase production in July. But with the Strait of Hormuz still closed, will that oil have anywhere to go?And we answer your questions: why the disruptions to oil have been so big – given that
What broke childcare?
Childcare has become a system that almost everyone relies on, but very few think is working properly.Families pay a lot, quality is uneven, and after years of marketisation the sector is now dominated by for-profit providers. So how did Australia end up here? Why is the system still so expensive? What does the data say are the differences between for-profit and not-for-profit car
Scandal at KPMG
A simmering scandal at accounting firm KPMG has reached a boiling point with multiple heads rolling and admissions about poor handling of a whistleblower’s complaint. It's raising questions, once again, about how the big four accounting firms operate in Australia.Meanwhile tariff threats from the United States have surfaced anew. What exactly does it mean for Australian businesse
Are we in an economic slowdown?
New data shows Australia’s economy was already slowing the first three months of the year, before the full impact of a series of interest rate hikes and the war in the Middle East washed through.So what does this slowdown mean for the outlook for interest rates?And what will the Fair Work Commission's wage hike mean for Australia's workers?Carrington Clarke and ABC Business Repor
Fuelcast: Is the global oil tank about to be empty?
Have oil prices been too calm for a crisis this big?Economists are starting to worry that forecasts for the length of the conflict - and the hit to global oil supply and prices - have been too optimistic. So what if this war drags on?And with just one month left on the reduced fuel excise, will the government extend the relief if there is still no end in sight?Carrington Clarke a
Big tech goes public
There’s a race happening on Wall Street, as AI giants rush to go public and collect the prize of passive funds. Anthropic has made the latest move to file on the heels of SpaceX, which is already set to stage the largest public offering in stock market history.And a huge uptake in home batteries here in Australia is reshaping the power industry. Could battery-generated power help
Why property is flatlining
National property price rises have stalled, according to recent data, as three successive rate hikes and planned property tax changes seem to dramatically shift the market.So where does the Australian property market go from here?And as the Australian Bureau of statistics prepares to release GDP data later this week, there’s a larger conversation going on about what GDP measures
Fuelcast: What is the shelf-life of oil?
Fears are growing that global oil supplies are approaching “minimal operational limits” – the amount of oil needed to keep pipelines and storage facilities stocked and safely running. So what is the difference between minimum oil requirements, and the oil that’s available to go to market? And we answer a fuel storage question from listener Serghei in Canberra.Carrington Clarke an
Anthropic's Peter McCrory on Claude and the big AI disruption
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a Silicon Valley fascination, a share market story, or something happening off in the distance.It is becoming a force that could reshape work, productivity, innovation, and the way whole economies function - and one of the companies at the centre of that shift is Anthropic, the maker of Claude.Peter McCrory is Anthropic’s chief economist.
Who really is investing in property?
Fresh analysis from the Reserve Bank, released today, paints the clearest picture yet of Australian housing investors.So who exactly are they? And what does this detailed demographic data tell us about the property market’s winners and losers?And liquor giant Endeavour Group has announced that it's exiting its vineyards and wineries portfolio.What does the future of one of Austra
The inflation figure, explained
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released today shows that the Consumer Price Index fell in April, thanks in large part to easing fuel costs. But underlying inflation remains stubbornly elevated. So what should we make of these numbers? How might they shape the RBA’s moves on next month’s rates decision - and is this a good or bad sign of the health of our economy?
Fuelcast: Gas plans on (and off) the table
One of the big stories out of Canberra this week is the government’s draft discussion paper on a domestic gas reservation policy.So is it a realistic plan? Does the government have political support from the Opposition - and public support too - as calls for a gas tax grow louder in some parts of the country? And what would it actually cost, and mean, for the flow of gas to house
Economists cut through the budget noise
As the dust settles on the government’s big federal budget announcement, questions still remain about how and when changes will take place.But what do some of Australia’s leading economists think of the proposed policies a fortnight later?And power prices are set to fall for many customers with even bigger drops for businesses.So what’s driving the relief, and how will this set t
Economically stuck? It's not just you
New economic data suggests people across Australia are staying put--forgoing job changes, new businesses, and interstate moves. So what’s keeping people feeling stuck? And what bigger costs might this have for the Australian economy?Meanwhile, according to a Commonwealth bank commodity report, Chinese steel output has dipped while US output is undergoing something of a resurgenc
Fuelcast: A Strait deal, or no deal?
US officials say the country is close to reaching potential peace deal with Iran - which would include the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. But, as before, the specifics (and certainty) are still up in the air. So is how is the global energy market reacting?Daniel Ziffer and Alan Kohler help you keep on top of the numbers behind the ongoing energy crisis on Fuelcast on ABC Busine
Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz on Australia’s housing reckoning
Housing is suddenly one of the biggest fights in Australian politics.After years of timidity, both the government and opposition are now throwing punches on tax, migration, infrastructure, and supply in what could become a genuinely consequential moment for how Australia deals with housing.Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz chairs the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, the body
Notable numbers for employment and Nvidia
Today we're covering a handful of fresh figures that have just come in.What do the latest employment numbers tell us about the state of the Australian economy? And what to make of tech giant Nvidia’s quarterly results that have surpassed Wall Street’s expectations?And with Joe Longo’s last day as Chairman of the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, where do things sta
The bond market sell-off frenzy
Major sell-offs are rippling across global bond markets as fears of rising inflation mount.So why is the global bond market behaving this way? And what does this mean for the Australian economy?Plus, fresh data from the Grattan Institute suggests that Australia is wasting billions of dollars on unused parking spots. What’s going on with capital city car parks?Daniel Ziffer and Li
Fuelcast: Why is diesel dearer?
Why is diesel still more expensive than petrol? And where exactly is the Fuel Tsar while the energy crisis rolls on?Dan Ziffer and Tom Crowley take on your questions - from the politics of fuel prices to the economics behind them - and help make sense of what’s happening, who is responsible, and what matters most right now on Fuelcast on ABC Business Daily.Listen to Carrington Cl
A small business revolt on CGT
AI-generated Anthony Albanese memes. Startup founders in revolt. And a growing fight over whether the government’s capital gains tax changes will hurt the very businesses it says it wants to support.The Treasurer Jim Chalmers insists there is plenty of misinformation flying around. But with Australia’s startup sector now worth hundreds of billions of dollars, the stakes are real.
Economists are divided about the housing market
It hasn't even been a week since Treasurer Jim Chalmers unveiled the 2026 federal budget, but the conversation around property doesn't seem to show any sign of slowing soon.Even economists remain divided about what impact the federal budget's tax changes will have on the Australian housing market.So what are the economists saying? And where’s the disagreement?And with the war bet
Fuelcast: A check in on global fuel supply
There is still no obvious end in sight to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and G7 finance ministers are meeting this week to discuss the economic fallout, particularly for Europe.So it’s time for a check-in: what is the state of global fuel supply, with the conflict still unresolved?And as Alan Kohler reflects, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can keep flying around the world
Hugh Marks on the ABC’s next act
Commercial television is under pressure, newspapers have had to reinvent themselves, audiences are splintering across platforms, and the algorithms are doing their best to turn everyone into a partisan.Into that comes Hugh Marks - a career commercial media executive, former Nine boss, and now the man running the ABC.He joins to talk about the future of traditional media, whether
Fuelcast: We answer your questions
This episode starts with your questions - because if you’re trying to make sense of the energy crisis, chances are other listeners are asking the same thing. So what’s happening at Viva’s Geelong refinery after the recent fire? And what about biofuels - has the global fuel shock actually sparked a boom in Australia?Carrington Clarke and Alan Kohler are here to help you cut throug
Is Coles' DOWN DOWN 'dead'?
This morning a verdict came DOWN DOWN on Coles, delivering a huge win to consumer watchdog ACCC in a case that accused the supermarket giant of misleading shoppers on discounted items. And Commonwealth bank shares plummeted yesterday, falling more than 10 per cent. But is it fair to link it to the taxation changes in the budget?Carrington Clarke and ABC Business Reporter Daniel
Who will benefit from the budget?
It’s the day after the big budget release and there’s a certain buzz rippling across the country. Treasurer Jim Chalmers claims this is the most ambitious budget in decades and says it will make things fairer for young Australians. But what exactly will the budget mean for business, the economy, and you?Carrington Clarke and ABC Business Reporter Steph Chalmers break it all down
Fuelcast: What the budget means for petrol prices
The 2026 federal budget makes clear the temporary fuel excise cut is due to end on June 30th.So is the government betting the crisis eases in time, or risking a fresh hit to motorists while the Reserve Bank warns against more cost-of-living relief?Carrington Clarke and Alan Kohler help you stay on top of the numbers behind the ongoing energy crisis on Fuelcast on ABC Business Dai
A big budget all about housing
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has unveiled his highly anticipated "responsible" and "reforming" fifth budget, aiming for "resilience" and a bolstering of the economy.Housing tax reform was the centrepiece, with changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount announced.Labor says the reforms will allow 75,000 new people to afford their first home, but does the move go far
What you need to know about tomorrow's budget
A brand-new federal budget is slated for release tomorrow, with expectations running high that although the energy supply shock has played havoc with economic forecasts, the government will still unveil major reforms.Meanwhile new analysis says that a rethink might be in order for how interest rates impact the labour market. Carrington Clarke and ABC business and economics report
Fuelcast: What if the fuel excise ends?
The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, US-Iran negotiations are still going nowhere, and the clock is ticking on Australia’s temporary fuel excise cut.So where does that leave the policy? Could a change impact how much you're paying at the pump? And what does a 26 per cent jump in Saudi Aramco’s profits say about who is winning, and who is paying, in the ongoing energy crisis?Carri
Pete Findlay on Bega’s cost crunch
A closed shipping route can sound like a distant problem - until it starts showing up in the cost of Vegemite, peanut butter, milk, cheese, yoghurt, packaging, freight, fertiliser, and food on Australian shelves.Pete Findlay runs Bega, the company behind some of Australia’s best-known products. He says the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is already driving costs higher right thro
Fuelcast: Explaining the new gas reservation policy
The government has unveiled a new energy strategy, which will force major east coast gas companies to reserve 20 per cent of their export volumes for the Australian market. The policy is set to go into effect in the middle of next year.But is the government being prudent? Or is this more of a ‘too little too late’ kind of move?Carrington Clarke and ABC Chief Business Corresponden
When an AGM feels like a funeral
Frustrations boiled over at the ARN Media annual shareholders meeting, with owners voicing anger at the performance of the company in recent years, and a messy divorce from two of its biggest stars.Meanwhile, the price of oil has dropped, with markets seeming to pull from never ending reserves of hope that the Strait of Hormuz is soon to open.So what should we make of these big b
The targets of big tax change
After another rate hike was handed down from the Reserve Bank yesterday, Governor Michelle Bullock was quizzed on whether government spending could make the RBA’s task of bringing down inflation more difficult.While she was careful to avoid direct criticism of government policy, she also made clear that higher demand wouldn’t be welcome.So how might this impact Treasurer Jim Chal
Fuelcast: How China stores fuel
Project Freedom is paused - and attention is turning to who is best prepared for a longer fuel shock. China imports most of its oil, but it has also built one of the world’s biggest crude stockpiles.So what’s its strategy?Carrington Clarke and Alan Kohler help you stay on top of the numbers behind the ongoing energy crisis on Fuelcast on ABC Business Daily.Got a burning brent cru
A rate rise
Another rate hike is here, with the Reserve Bank lifting the cash rate to 4.35 per cent and wiping away the policy easing delivered last year.The RBA says fuel-driven inflation linked to the Middle East conflict is adding to price pressures across the economy, and that inflation is now likely to stay above target for longer. So what does that mean for mortgage holders, inflation,
Is it about to get easier to buy a house?
Today the Reserve Bank starts its deliberations about whether to hike interest rates once again.Meanwhile NAB seems to have disappointed with its results, warning about the state of the economy.And there’s a mixed report card from this week’s property auctions. So just how fragile is the property market right now? Carrington Clarke and ABC Business Reporter Steph Chalmers break
Fuelcast: Petrol-diplomacy
Donald Trump says “Project Freedom” will aim to help guide stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz - but with little detail and no clear response yet from Iran, the big question is whether it changes anything. With Brent crude still above US$100 a barrel and diesel creeping higher, should Australians brace for higher prices at the bowser?And with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae
Craig Scroggie on AI’s hunger for power
Artificial intelligence - and the data centres that support it - are no longer just a share market story.It’s become a conversation about power, water, land, security, and who gets to build the infrastructure behind the next wave of the economy.Craig Scroggie has spent 15 years building NEXTDC into one of Australia’s biggest data centre companies - and now the AI boom is sending
Fuelcast: Fuel forces prices up
Brent Crude has spiked and fallen. Donald Trump is being briefed on new military possibilities in Iran. And Australian supermarket giants Coles and Woolies have warned that they are facing higher cost pressures from transportation to packaging. It's been another busy week in fuel news. Carrington Clarke and Alan Kohler help you keep on top of the numbers behind the ongoing energy
A warning from Woolies
Woolworths has warned its profit is going to be hurt by surging inflation, sending the share price of the Australian supermarket giant tumbling.And while Woolworths might be promising to lock in the price for 300 items, there’s growing warnings about the rate at which other costs are going to grow, including for plastics packaging.Are the worst fears about this energy crisis star
Inflation on the run
Inflation is rising at its fastest pace since September 2023 - driven in part by the global fuel shock - and it is now putting fresh pressure on the Reserve Bank ahead of next week’s rates decision.Australia’s annual headline CPI rose to 4.6 per cent in March, up from 3.7 per cent in February, driven by a surge in the cost of energy as the oil supply shock bites.So what do the la
Fuelcast: The UAE is leaving OPEC
The UAE is leaving the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), marking another shift for a group that once had far greater control over the global oil market. So what does the move mean for oil prices, supply shocks, and the balance of power in energy?Carrington Clarke and Alan Kohler help you stay on top of the numbers behind the ongoing energy crisis on Fuelca
Apple's AI-hesitancy
Under outgoing CEO Tim cook’s 14-year tenure, tech titan Apple skyrocketed from the billions to the trillions of dollars in value. But unlike its competitors, Apple has been relatively restrained in AI investments.Is that about to change?And the Opposition is calling on the government to double minimum fuel reserves held in Australia as it unveils a proposed fuel plan in light of
Data and decisions are coming
For watchers of the Australian economy, it’s off to the races, with important data and decisions on the horizon. Wednesday's inflation numbers will provide crucial information for the RBA’s interest rate decision expected next month. And in the United States, five of the so-called Magnificent Seven tech companies, are set to release their results this week, causing investors to
Fuelcast: Demand destruction
Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning on Iran’s oil infrastructure - even as petrol prices edge back towards where they were before the conflict began.With diesel still elevated, are lower pump prices hiding the broader economic damage of the ongoing energy shock?Carrington Clarke and Ian Verrender help you stay on top of the numbers behind the ongoing energy crisis on Fuelcast
Viva's Scott Wyatt on a fire and a fuel crisis
A fire at one of Australia’s last two refineries would be a big story at any time. In the middle of a fuel shock, it becomes something else.Viva Energy is at the centre of a very difficult moment for Australia’s fuel system. As the Geelong refinery deals with the fallout from last week’s fire, and conflict affecting the Strait of Hormuz continues to drive prices higher, Alan Kohl
Fuelcast: Petrol vs diesel
Petrol prices are moving closer to where they were before the war began - but diesel is telling a different story. With Brent crude rising again, why has unleaded eased while diesel remains so high, and what does that say about global supply?Carrington Clarke and Alan Kohler help you stay on top of the numbers behind the ongoing energy crisis on Fuelcast on ABC Business Daily.Got
An overhaul of electricity
As solar panels pop up on more rooftops and batteries increasingly soak up excess power to be used later on, the way Australians utilise the power grid is shifting dramatically.New modelling released today from the Australian Energy Market Commission imagines an overhaul of electricity pricing that it says could cut costs by billions.But how do the numbers break down? And who mig
The ACCC takes Woolies to Court
The cost of a family pack of Oreos became the centrepiece of the opening day of a court case pitting the consumer watchdog against supermarket giant Woolworths.The ACCC says Woolies’ 'Price Drop' marketing misled customers about what discounts were being applied to a range of items. So what's been said on day two?And in the United States, the Senate gathered to grill Trump’s nomi
Fuelcast: A shipment secured
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Energy Minister Chris Bowen have announced four additional cargoes of diesel have been secured for Australia.It’s an additional 200 million litres of diesel, coming from South Korea, Brunei and Malaysia. While this will undoubtedly help Australian industry, what will it cost us in the long-term? And what will this mean for the region?Carrington
Why hasn't the price of natural gas spiked?
When Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, it sent the price of natural gas soaring - and Australian consumers faced steep hikes in their electricity bills.But this time around, when war has once again sent the international price of gas skywards, Australia has remained relatively insulated.So what’s different this time?And big news from tech today, with the
Will the budget bring us 'back to the future?'
After a brief window of hope that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz would start to normalise, a harsher reality has kicked in. With both Iran and the US firing on vessels, the oil price is surging once again.Meanwhile, there’s fevered speculation about what the Government could unveil in this year’s federal budget, due to be released in early May. Could the Capital Gains Disco
Fuelcast: A Strait choked once again
Petrol and diesel prices have been falling in recent days - but the Strait of Hormuz is once again under pressure.Iran has fired on multiple ships attempting to pass through it, and the US has seized an Iranian-flagged container ship.So what happens now? Are we nearing another major pinch point for global supply - or are we already there?Carrington Clarke and Alan Kohler help you
Danielle Wood on Australia's productivity problem
For years, Australia has managed to avoid some hard questions. Why is productivity growth going backwards? Why do wages, housing, and living standards feel under pressure? And how long can the country keep relying on good fortune instead of serious reform?Danielle Wood, Chair of the Productivity Commission, is at the centre of that debate. She joins That's Business to talk about
Fuelcast: What does the Viva fire mean for petrol?
The Prime Minister visited the Viva Energy refinery this morning, announcing that it is still operating, but at reduced capacity. What should Australians expect in terms of fuel supply against the backdrop of the ongoing energy crisis?Carrington Clarke and Alan Kohler help you keep on top of the numbers behind the ongoing energy crisis on Fuelcast on ABC Business Daily.Got a burn
Australia has two refineries. One's been on fire
It was a shocking scene for most Australians to wake up to - the Viva Energy refinery ablaze.The fire has raised further questions about Australia’s vulnerability to cuts in fuel supply. Could biofuels be part of the answer?Meanwhile, American markets have surged, leaning hard into the hope that the war with Iran could soon come to an end. Carrington Clarke and ABC Business Repor
A warning from the IMF
The world’s financial and economic elite are descending on Washington DC.The International Monetary Fund is holding a series of meetings and warning that the energy crisis is going to mean (at the very least) lower growth and higher inflation.And in a severe scenario, a continued energy supply crunch could see the world stumble into its third recession of this century.Carrington
Fuelcast: Airlines feel the pain
Qantas says its fuel bill could be $600 million to $800 million higher than expected because of the ongoing energy crisis - and it plans to reduce capacity to help offset some of those costs.Virgin has also flagged fare changes as it responds to higher costs. So how badly could this hit travellers in the months ahead - and how is the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran af
Why can't Australia 'drill baby drill'?
This time, the US stuck to its deadline.Its navy is now blockading Iran’s ports, further limiting the flow of energy from the crucial Gulf region. With that supply curbed, there’s been calls for Australia to tap its own reserves of energy to make the country less reliant on foreign oil.But is there oil to tap? And does it make economic sense? Carrington Clarke and ABC's Chief
The 'retail politics' of fuel
After direct talks between the US and Iran concluded with no agreement, Donald Trump has raised the stakes by ordering a blockade of ships that visit Iranian ports.The move has stymied global energy flow and caused oil prices to jump. Again.Meanwhile finance firms are on notice that the latest model from Artificial Intelligence giant Anthropic, Claude Mythos Preview, could threat
Bonus: ABC Business Daily's Fuelcast
Donald Trump has announced a US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while Anthony Albanese prepares to travel to Malaysia and Brunei after his recent trip to Singapore, as Australia looks to shore up its fuel security.Carrington Clarke and Alan Kohler break down what these developments could mean for global energy markets, fuel supply, and the pressures flowing through to Aus
Can Paul Schroder save the Australian dream?
More than $400 billion. Millions of members. And a front-row seat to the forces shaping the Australian economy.If you think super is dull, or the people who run it are dull, think again.Paul Schroder runs AustralianSuper, the biggest superannuation fund in the country - and he has plenty to say about where the economy is heading, how geopolitics is reshaping investment, and why A
The market reacts to a fragile ceasefire
Around the globe investors cheered the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, with surging stocks and an oil price plunge. But, there are already signs this fragile truce isn’t holding. And there are contradictory reports about just how open the crucial Strait of Hormuz really is.So will the market rally wave crash as quickly as it’s crested? And is the energy crisis actua
Trump TACOs and Australia buys EVs
It appeared the market was betting on another TACO Tuesday from Donald Trump. And it could be said that he’s delivered.The US President has announced a two-week cease-fire with Iran which involves an opening up of the crucial strait of Hormuz - and raises hopes of a more normal flow of energy around the world.But no matter what the final outcome of this conflict, we’ve seen a dra
Is AI going to 'eat your lunch'?
After wild oscillations on Wall Street overnight, time is ticking and global investors are holding their breath as Donald Trump’s latest deadline for Iran is set to expire tomorrow.And while the world remains caught in the grip of the global fuel crisis, investment continues to roll into artificial intelligence as it promises - or threatens - to up-end the economy.Carrington Clar
What will markets make of 'Open the f***in' Strait'?
Donald Trump has unleashed in a series of extraordinary social media posts, swearing and threatening Iran’s civilian infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz isn’t reopened. So are we on the edge of a dangerous escalation in this war, that has already wrought havoc on energy markets?And while time ticks down on Trump’s deadline, buyers seem to be biding their time to purchase prope
Can Anthony Miller steady Westpac?
More rate rises. A possible recession. And fresh pressure on households and business.So how is one of Australia’s biggest banks preparing for what comes next?Anthony Miller took over Westpac after a bruising era for the bank, following a two-decade investment banking career with major institutions including Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank.He joins Alan Kohler on That's Business t
Are we already in a recession?
As the global energy crisis drags on, the Australian government has urged the nation to stay calm and carry on, with some extra financial relief coming our way.But the economic landscape remains worrying: inflation running hotter than desired, unemployment on the rise, and growth hard to come by.So, is Australia heading toward the dreaded 'R word' - "recession" - if this war cont
Stocks, surcharges and small businesses
US markets have surged, hanging big hopes on Donald Trump’s intimations that the war in Iran might be ending soon. But mission accomplished may not mean oil is flowing through the strait of Hormuz.Meanwhile here in Australia, the RBA says it’s got a plan to lower costs for consumers, moving to rid the country of sneaky card surcharges.And on the heels of the Treasurer's announcem
Who pays for petrol?
With Brent Crude on track to end the month with its highest price rise in history, the Australian government is promising cost of living relief to motorists. But will its slashing of the fuel tax make a significant dent in your expenses? And will the pressure of higher oil costs in the US force Donald Trump to end this war?Carrington Clarke and ABC Chief Business Correspondent Ia
Why house buyers aren't biting
The pre-Easter rush brought a flood of properties up for sale over the past weekend. But buyers, aren’t biting - at least not with the same hunger as they were. The latest data shows auction clearance rates are in fact slumping. So has there been a dramatic shift in the balance of power between sellers and buyers? And what does it mean for the price of property?Carrington Clarke
Jim Chalmers on the cost of chaos
Oil prices are jumping. The budget is getting closer. And the global economy just got a whole lot messier.With conflict rattling energy markets and uncertainty building ahead of the next federal budget, big questions are hanging over Australia’s economic outlook.What does a major oil and gas shock mean for inflation, energy security, and the budget bottom line?And is the Treasure
Business first, forgiveness later
Is big tech having its big tobacco moment?Overnight, a US jury found tech giants Meta and Google liable for addictive features that led to a young user’s mental health distress. That followed a separate judgement, finding that Meta violated consumer protection law by concealing what it knew about child exploitation on its platforms. The big tech companies disagree. In this episod
Who wins when oil is stuck?
It was the ultimatum...that wasn’t.Donald Trump has backed down from his 48-hour deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that a deal is in progress.But questions remain, including how the energy market tumult is affecting China, which takes in the lion’s share of Iran’s oil exports. So is the United States using the ongoing conflict as leverage against China?Or h
