Environment
Energy rollercoaster: Australian bills to fall and rise
16 July
Solar panels, wind farms and cheaper batteries will help to cut Australian electricity bills in the coming years, even as the artificial intelligence boom pushes up the price of gas technology. But energy prices will rise after 2030, a study has...[Read More]
Budget lacks energy for big renewable project reforms
13 May
Australia’s growing throng of solar panels, batteries and electric cars will be managed by a new regulator in a multimillion-dollar budget commitment welcomed by investment and climate groups. The change will come in addition to support for...[Read More]
Green groups warn climate courage missing from budget
13 May
Climate wins on bike lanes and batteries have been overshadowed by a failure to capture fossil fuel revenue and rein in off-road diesel credits, environment groups say. The lead up to Tuesday’s federal budget was dominated by a campaign to hike...[Read More]
Rural leaders see budget shortfalls for health, roads
13 May
Australia’s regions will benefit from funding to bolster fuel supplies and public hospitals, but investment in rural health reform, better connectivity and safer country roads continues to fall short, according to industry groups. The federal...[Read More]
Beef over EU deal boils over as security ties touted
25 March
Australia’s red-meat sector has been urged to get behind a contentious trade pact with the European Union as the bloc’s head hails shared security goals. The parties struck an agreement on Tuesday after years of negotiations to expand trade...[Read More]
Aussie drivers divided over petrol vs electric future
18 March
Almost two in five Australians are considering an electric or hybrid vehicle for their next car purchase, but many could change their minds if the government puts the brakes on a tax discount. The Australian Finance Industry Association revealed the...[Read More]
Postcode where more drivers plug into electric car cuts
18 March
Ending a tax exemption for electric vehicles could unfairly punish families outside major metropolitan areas who are dealing with longer commutes and are most likely to maximise the tax cut. The National Automotive Leasing and Salary Packaging...[Read More]
No ill winds blowing for renewables spending in budget
11 March
The federal climate minister has hit back at speculation there will be budget cuts to clean energy policies, comparing it to stripping funds from health or education. Chris Bowen dismissed reports of cuts to new clean energy funding in the federal...[Read More]
Compact homes unlocking cheaper, cleaner city living
5 March
In a time of climate change and strained housing affordability, sometimes it pays to think small. At just 50 square metres, the apartments and townhouses inside the Two Sisters development in North Melbourne are far smaller than the 236 sq m average...[Read More]
New locations sought for Aussie beef due to China levy
4 March
Around 800 million burgers worth of Australian beef may need to be diverted into alternative markets, as China enforces import quotas limiting the amount of the red meat entering the country. Southeast Asian countries appear to be the best bet for...[Read More]
Electric car sales may stall if tax policy changes gear
18 February
At launch, the Electric Car Discount was expected to help about 5000 Australians get behind the wheel of a quiet, low-emissions, battery-powered vehicle. The policy, introduced in 2022, removed the fringe benefits tax from some electric cars,...[Read More]
‘Right the ship’: polluters tax could be vote spinner
18 February
Forcing Australia’s biggest polluters to pay tax for their emissions may no longer be electoral kryptonite, polling indicates. The survey of 3000 Australian adults by Redbridge Group showed most regional and urban voters supported introducing a...[Read More]
Aussie meat in high demand despite international beef
11 February
Australian beef continues to be in hot demand around the world despite trade barriers, as the government continues talks with China over its surprise import tariffs. China unveiled 55 per cent tariffs on beef imports over certain quotas for...[Read More]
Building smarter: How to create an environmentally friendly home
29 January
Sustainability is no longer a niche consideration in property—it’s becoming a core part of how Australians design, build, and renovate their homes. With rising energy costs, increasing climate awareness, and greater buyer demand for efficient...[Read More]
2025: The year the world chose direction
18 December
History rarely announces itself in dramatic bursts. More often, it reveals itself through quiet turning points — moments when trends harden into realities and choices can no longer be postponed. 2025 was one of those years. It did not deliver a...[Read More]