December 2024
End of sanctions as China lifts bans on beef
China has removed sanctions from two Australian abattoirs, bringing to an end an avalanche of tariffs and de facto bans that began four years ago.
- Phillip Coorey
- Exclusive
- Trump's White House
How Australia plans to work around Donald Trump’s trade wars
Trade Minister Don Farrell wants to stitch together coalitions of like-minded countries, including bringing China into the fold, to keep free trade alive.
- Andrew Tillett
November 2024
Dealing under way to bring Bali Nine back to Australia
But the Australians convicted in Indonesia of smuggling heroin would have to serve their sentences at home, the government says.
- Poppy Johnston
- Opinion
- Federal election
Campaign finance laws could reduce not increase political competition
The community independents are right that this legislation is too important to be rushed through parliament in the final two sitting weeks.
- Richard Holden
Palmer set to challenge Albanese donation plans in court
Labor designed its plan for new political donations rules to withstand a constitutional challenge, but the billionaire miner says it is designed to rig elections.
- Tom McIlroy
Sohn’s stock picks; Trump’s ‘frightening’ choice; Donation caps row
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Election donation rules target Palmer and Climate 200
New rules due to come into force in 2026 will cap spending in federal elections and dramatically speed up public disclosure rules.
- Tom McIlroy
Australian meat, dairy, grain and honey exports to win from UAE deal
The federal government will finalise a new comprehensive economic partnership deal with the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.
- Tom McIlroy
October 2024
The political addiction to Qantas is getting worse
There’s nothing like accruing status credits on someone else’s dime.
- Myriam Robin
September 2024
Palmer-proof election donations reform plan looms
Labor is close to finalising plans to overhaul Australia’s electoral laws, including new rules for real-time political donation disclosures.
- Tom McIlroy
The 10 most covertly powerful people in Australia in 2024
Those who wield the most clout behind the scenes in the nation’s business and politics.
- Tom McIlroy
Chris Ellison embraces unbossing at MinRes
The mining billionaire’s latest move to get costs under control is slicing up middle management.
- Updated
- Mark Di Stefano
- Exclusive
- Trade deals
UAE petrodollars to fuel Aussie ‘green’ mineral boom
Australia’s first free trade deal with a Middle East nation will boost exports by almost $700 million a year to the United Arab Emirates.
- Andrew Tillett
Chinese property crash no threat to Australia, says diplomat
Beijing’s number two diplomat in Canberra says Australia’s miners should rest easy – there’s plenty of growth left in China’s urbanisation.
- Andrew Tillett
August 2024
What I learnt at the Democratic convention
Don Farrell says the next federal election, like the US race, will be mainly fought over cost-of-living pressures and immigration.
- Matthew Cranston
- Opinion
- China relations
High-level dialogue shows China chill is ending
The resumed annual face-to-face meeting of government and industry has been crucial to stabilising the relationship.
- Craig Emerson
July 2024
- Exclusive
- China relations
Cheaper kitchen sinks as Canberra dismantles tariff barrier to China
While Australian lobster remains off the menu in Beijing, the Albanese government is removing tariffs on Chinese-made kitchen sinks.
- Andrew Tillett
June 2024
- Opinion
- China relations
Why Dutton is flying in the face of the China hawks
As the opposition leader’s rhetoric softens dramatically, the days of turning China into an election wedge appear to be over.
- James Laurenceson
Tourism rebounds to near pre-pandemic levels
The Australian industry is on track for the best year ever as international visitor numbers bounce back.
- Ayesha de Kretser
Tensions remain but at least we’re talking, PM to tell Chinese
Penny Wong says Australia won’t be relaxing its foreign investment rules regarding lithium.
- Phillip Coorey