Economics
Why can rich companies pay no tax?
Why is China’s economy on “the brink of a cliff”?
The rise and fall of the crypto king
Are Australian workers underpaid?
Inflation is up again. Are interest rates next?
Why are more young Aussies going hungry?
Is Google too good?

AusPost letters will be reduced to deliveries every second day
AusPost will now deliver standard letters every second business day to focus on the growing demand for parcels.

Bullock leaves cash rate unchanged
What is the cash rate? The Reserve Bank chose to leave the cash rate unchanged on Tuesday – the last meeting of 2023.
KFC faces class actions over allegedly denying paid breaks
KFC is facing two separate class actions over allegations it refused to grant thousands of workers their entitled paid breaks.

How Meme Stocks Took Wall Street by Surprise

All you need to know about the Federal Budget

How did the housing crisis begin in Australia?

Flatmates.com.au reveals the most expensive suburbs
Flatmates.com.au has revealed the rent per room in Australia’s suburbs. Warriewood in NSW had the highest weekly rent of $600 for a room.

The ACCC’s Black Friday scam warning
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has warned shoppers of an increase in online scams ahead of Black Friday sales.

Cuts to infrastructure projects announced amid inflation fears
The Federal Government has announced cuts to 50 major infrastructure projects and warned more may be needed amid inflation fears.

Wages grew at a record rate in July-September
National wages grew by 1.3% during July to September, according to the ABS. It’s a record growth but doesn’t match inflation.

Why are big banks making such big profits?
All four of Australia’s big banks have posted substantial profits for the 2022-23 financial year. Why is that the case?

800 large companies paid no tax in 2021-22. Why?
Over 800 large companies paid no corporate tax in Australia in the 2021-22 financial year, according to new data from the ATO.


How do higher interest rates affect inflation?
The 13th interest rate increase since May 2022 has re-ignited the debate about the use of higher interest rates to fight inflation.

Cash rate reaches 12-year high
Why did the cash rate rise? The Reserve Bank decided to raise the cash rate again on Tuesday, after keeping it unchanged since July.

Government scholarship could wipe new teachers’ student debt
The Federal Government has announced a scholarship program to attract more people to teaching amid growing concerns of a national shortage.

Why is China’s economy in trouble?
China’s housing market has crashed, investors are withdrawing, and youth unemployment is so high the government has stopped publishing the number. Senior leaders met last

‘Crypto-king’ Sam Bankman-Fried guilty of fraud
Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, has been found guilty on two counts of fraud and seven counts of conspiracy.

The IMF’s wish list for Australia’s economy
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has published its Australian policy ‘wish list’, including stronger climate policies, a tougher approach to inflation, and sweeping tax changes.

Australia’s EU free trade deal has collapsed
Negotiations for a trade deal between the European Union (EU) and Australia have collapsed following another round of unsuccessful talks.

World Bank warns global oil price could spike again
The World Bank says the global oil price could be set for another spike if the conflict in the Middle East spreads throughout the region.

September quarter: inflation higher than expected
Prices were 5.4% higher in September than the previous year, according to the latest official inflation figures.

Fair Work: 250k workers underpaid last financial year
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has discovered 250,000 workers were underpaid in the 2022-23 financial year.

Young Aussies sign up to self-exclude from gambling
The national gambling self-exclusion register, BetStop, has received thousands of sign ups since it launched in August.

Medibank is trialling a 4-day work week for some employees
Australian private health insurer Medibank has announced it is trialling a 4-day work week for 250 employees.

Young people are facing food insecurity
More than half of young people (aged 18 to 24) are experiencing food insecurity, according to Australia’s largest food relief organisation, Foodbank.

Sara Lee has gone into voluntary administration
The Australian arm of international dessert brand Sara Lee has gone into administration after 52 years of cheesecakes and crumbles.

Crypto crackdown on the way, Chalmers says
A crypto crackdown will be included in legislation set to be tabled in Australia next year. This is what it could look like.

Pay gap ‘detective’ Claudia Goldin has won the Nobel in Economics
Harvard Professor Claudia Goldin has been awarded the top prize in economics for her investigations into the gender pay gap — the difference between how

RBA keeps cash rate at 4.1% for the fourth month in a row
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has kept the cash rate unchanged at 4.1% for a fourth consecutive month.

Federal government announces first budget surplus in 15 years
The Federal Government has announced a $22.1 billion budget surplus for the 2022/23 financial year, the first in 15 years.

JobSeeker payments have risen
JobSeeker is rising on Wednesday, following a combination of periodic increases and new laws taking effect. Here’s the important details

Macquarie Bank to phase out cash by 2024
Macquarie Bank will phase out cash and cheque services by the end of 2024. Here’s the timeline for the phase-out

France has banned the iPhone 12 over radiation concerns
France has banned sales of Apple’s iPhone 12 after the national watchdog found the device exceeds European radiation limits.

Coles’ body-worn camera trial: will it reduce retail crime?
The measure will be trialled across 30 stores in South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, and Queensland.

High Court: Qantas unlawfully sacked 1,700 workers during the pandemic
The court was considering an appeal from Qantas, who had already lost twice before the Federal Court and the Full Federal Court.

Indonesia has lifted trade restrictions on Australian livestock
What’s lumpy skin disease? Indonesia has lifted restrictions on Australian livestock after they say the disease was discovered on cattle.

Philip Lowe hits back at media in final speech as RBA Governor
In his final speech, RBA Governor Philip Lowe has criticised the media for personal attacks but admitted he had “difficulties” communicating.

Westpac has been sued for its response to financial hardship notices
Australia’s corporate regulator is suing Westpac for alleged breaches around their response to financial hardship applications.

Inflation slows for the third straight month
Inflation grew by 4.9% in the year up to July 2023, according to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Gender pay gap hits all-time low
The latest official figures show the gender pay gap in full-time earnings has fallen to an all-time low. Why has the gap closed?

Why are petrol prices rising to well over $2.10 per litre?
Petrol prices are rising again across Australia, and have been well above $2.10 litre in recent days in Sydney and Melbourne. Why?

National Cabinet agrees a new housing target, but no rent limits
National Cabinet leaders have agreed to build 200,000 extra homes by mid-2029, but have stopped short of limits on rent increases.

The Federal Government will scrap a rule that stops failing students from accessing HECS
A rule that excludes university students from studebt debt support based on their academic output will be axed. Here’s why

RBA Governor Philip Lowe will be replaced at the end of his term
RBA Governor Philip Lowe will not be re-appointed for a second term, replaced instead by his deputy Michele Bullock.

RBA will cut the number of interest rate meetings to 8
RBA Governor Philip Lowe has announced a cut to interest rate meetings after a review into the bank’s culture and practices.

The RBA has left interest rates unchanged for July
The RBA has left interest rates unchanged at 4.1% for the month of July, with RBA Governor Philip Lowe saying inflation has “passed its peak”.

Cheques will be phased out in Australia by 2030
Cheques will be phased out by the Federal Government, who say the payment method is too slow and expensive. Here’s their plan.

Chris Minns is changing how you buy your first home – here’s how
Chris Minns has unveiled plans to sign his new housing policy into law, which will also involve scrapping an old initiative on the way.

Rent prices in Australia’s capital cities had a historic rise in the last year
Why are rent prices rising? New data released this found rent prices in capital cities has had record increases this year. Here’s why

Thousands are suing Medibank over its 2022 data breach
Why is Medibank being sued? The private health insurer was hit with a lawsuit this week. But it’s hit back, saying it would defend the

Why your HECS debt will increase by 7.1% in June
The Australian Tax Office has confirmed there will be a HECS debt increase of 7.1% – the largest increase in decades. Why is it going

The debt ceiling: Could America really run out of money?
Democrats and Republicans are locked in a stalemate over the ‘debt ceiling’, a government borrowing limit. Can America pay its bills?

Victorians are paying the most state and local tax in Australia
Victorians are paying the most taxes to their state and local governments in Australia, according to new data from the ABS.

When do I have to pay my HECS back? All your questions answered
We learned this week that HECS debts are set for their biggest increase in decades. How do the debts work? Here’s all you need to

Multiple Labor MPs want a JobSeeker payment increase
The Government is facing growing pressure to raise JobSeeker payments in the Federal Budget on 9 May – including from its own members.

More experts, more debate: RBA review calls for major changes
A major RBA review has called for major changes to the institution’s operation. The review found the RBA board lacks sufficient expertise to make interest

Large Australian business are now required to publish their gender pay gap
The Federal Government has passed a law to require gender pay gap transparency for businesses with at least 100 employees.

If inflation is falling, why aren’t my expenses?
The latest monthly figures show inflation in Australia has fallen from 7.4% to 6.8%, but that’s still a significant rise. What does it mean?

A Swiss bank will be rescued after a disastrous week
The government of Switzerland has negotiated a deal to rescue Credit Suisse, the country’s second-largest bank.

300,000 documents stolen in Latitude Financial cyberattack
Over 300,000 documents and customer records have been stolen during a “sophisticated and malicious” cyberattack on Latitude Financial Services.

The rate of unemployment in Australia fell in February
Australia’s unemployment rate fell from 3.7% to 3.5% in February, returning to the same level as December 2022.

Will other banks follow after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank?
The collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank has prompted fears about whether other banks might suffer a similar fate.

A major bank has collapsed in the U.S.: What does this mean for the wider economy?
Silicon Valley Bank collapsed, marking the largest bank failure since 2008. Find out how it happened and its impact on the US economy.

Has inflation peaked? Here’s what the latest numbers tell us
Inflation figures for January 2023 show some evidence of price growth slowing. Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the government is “cautiously hopeful”.

The fall in house prices has slowed: What’s behind the shift?
Learn why Australian house prices have been falling since May, and what’s causing the recent slowdown. Will prices continue to decline? Find out here.

Qantas posted a $1.4 billion profit in the second half of last year
Qantas records a $1.4 billion pre-tax profit in H2 2022, best result in a first half of a financial year, after $7 billion losses in pandemic.

Industries with the highest pay: which sectors offer top salaries?
See the list of highest-paying industries in Australia according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, with mining topping the chart.

The national gender pay gap is now at its lowest level on record
Gender pay gap in Australia hits record low at 13.3%, according to the ABS, which measures the difference in average weekly earnings.

Aged care workers will get a 15% pay increase from 30 June
Aged care workers to get a 15% pay increase from June due to historical undervaluation and gender pay gap. Details from the Fair Work Commission.

Australian universities have underpaid their staff $83 million since 2020, according to a new report
Australian universities have underpaid their staff about $83 million since 2020, with the University of Melbourne found to have underpaid their staff about $31.6 million.

Working from home? You may be able to claim extra on your next tax return
Updated tax rules for claiming work-related expenses when working from home in Australia. Learn what you need to know.

The govt wants to crack down on people having early access to their superannuation: what will it mean?
The Govt plans to introduce a legal definition of the objective of super to reshape rules & crackdown on early access & tax concessions.

Consumer confidence has fallen to its lowest level since the start of the pandemic
Consumer confidence hits all-time low amidst cost of living crisis and interest rate hike in Australia.

The Adani Group has lost billions after allegations of fraud
Adani Group loses billions amid fraud allegations – Hindenburg Research report details shell company scheme.

Unpaid interns share stories of exploitation and financial stress in Australia
TDA spoke to young Australians across the country who have experienced exploitation and financial stress after undertaking prolonged periods of unpaid work.

A public school education in Australia could cost more than $100,000 from this year
Analysis from Futurity Investment Group reveals parents in Australian cities face higher education costs than in regional areas, with Melbourne public schools potentially costing over

Teachers in remote Australia could have their entire student debt wiped by the government
Teachers in remote Australia could have their tuition fees wiped under a new program.

Australian billionaire wealth is 61% higher than it was before the pandemic
Here’s what new research from Oxfam says about economic inequality in Australia.

The World Bank says we are “perilously close” to a global recession
The World Bank says China, Europe and the U.S. are all in a period of “pronounced weakness”, which could have spillover effects to the rest

What’s in store for 2023?
Here are eight stories that might shape the next year of news.

Australia’s revenue from coal exports rose by $73 billion in the last financial year
Revenue from Australian coal exports rose by $73 billion in the 2021/22 financial year, according to the Australia Institute, a policy research and advocacy organisation.

Australia’s gender pay gap has stalled for the first time in nine years
Australia’s gender pay gap in 2022 is 22.8%. It’s the first time it has stalled in nine years.

The price of petrol could spike again soon
Global oil prices could be set to surge again, after new restrictions were placed on Russian oil exports by Western nations this month.

The Reserve Bank has raised the cash rate to its highest level in 10 years
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) increased the cash rate from 2.85% to 3.1% today.

Inflation slightly slowed in October
The Reserve Bank expects inflation to peak at the end of the year at around 8%.

The G20 summit will begin this week
Leaders from the world’s leading and emerging economies will meet in Bali for the Group of Twenty’s (G20) annual Summit.

Nearly 4 in 5 young people in financial difficulty are also more likely to use ‘buy now, pay later’ systems
The rise of cryptocurrency trading platforms and ‘buy now, pay later’ finance schemes have compounded financial stress for young Australians, according to a new report

First homebuyers in NSW can opt out of stamp duty from tomorrow
From tomorrow, there will be the option to pay an annual property tax instead.

1 in 4 Australians are finding it hard to get by on their current income, a new study says
Wages are not increasing at the same rate as inflation, meaning that while a person’s income may not change, it isn’t as valuable as before.

The Reserve Bank has raised the cash rate to its highest level since 2013
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) increased the cash rate from 2.6% to 2.85% today.

Budget like you mean it: 2022 Federal Budget preview
TDA political journalist Tom Crowley cares about budgets more than most people. Here’s why he finds them so interesting and important.

The cost of living is a global crisis
Australia’s cost of living crisis is in the news every week. Prices have risen 6% in the last year, and we’re told things will get

Revlon has filed for bankruptcy.
What went wrong? Cosmetics company Revlon has filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. It’s not quite the end of the line for the 90-year-old brand,

“It will be an expensive winter”
What’s going on with gas prices? Australian gas prices have spiked, especially in Victoria. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has called it a “perfect storm” and warned
The Victorian Ombudsman has found the state’s border exemption scheme was ‘unjust’ and ‘inhumane’
The Victorian Ombudsman has found the state’s border exemption scheme resulted in ‘unjust’ and ‘inhumane’ outcomes. An investigation into the scheme revealed that of the
Is it harder for young people to buy their first home?
Analysis released by social research firm McCrindle this week has shown that the price of a typical house in Melbourne has multiplied by 22 in

What are interest rates, and how does it affect housing?
What are interest rates, and how does it affect housing?