business
Consumer affairs
Will lifting US beef ban put more foreign meat on menus?
What’s behind the move to start allowing US beef imports, and what does it mean for Australian consumers?
- by Chris Zappone
Latest
Trump’s ‘big new’ visa fee could slug thousands of Australian travellers
The US government is looking to impose a “visa integrity fee” from October, with those not eligible for the ESTA visa waiver in the firing line.
- by Chris Zappone
Paula says she had Uber rides cancelled 32 times because she has guide dog. The company is blaming the drivers
Paula Hobley has had so many Uber drivers cancel trips on her after they learn she is travelling with her guide dog that she now reconsiders going out.
- by Elias Visontay
Opinion
Commercial real estate
There was plenty of scope for things to go wrong for this home reno
The tired old Edwardian was in Melbourne, the architect was Sydney-based, and the client was also an architect. What could possibly go wrong?
- by Stephen Crafti
I’m in the self-care aisle at Woolies, but I’m not here to buy shampoo. I’m on a covert mission
This masthead sent a packaging expert images of products with recycling symbols and labels. None were recyclable in Australia.
- by Hannah Kennelly
Updated
Credit cards
‘Snowball effect’: RBA’s card surcharge ban risks higher prices and job cuts
Businesses would be banned from applying surcharges to all credit and debit card transactions from July next year under a Reserve Bank proposal.
- by Elias Visontay, Jessica Yun and Shane Wright
Trucks are big polluters, but can batteries make them cleaner?
In 2024, trucks emitted 22 million tonnes of CO2, and the freight industry is still debating how to decarbonise the long-haul routes.
- by Angus Delaney
The clean energy era is arriving. Is your power company ready?
As more Australians turn to solar panels and batteries to cut their reliance on the grid, energy retailers are racing to reinvent themselves.
- by Nick Toscano
More Australian retailers axe free returns after ‘reckoning’ of costs
Shopping habits – including “repeat returns” offending – are taking a toll on businesses.
- by Frances Howe
Opinion
Supermarkets
I was all for smart trolleys at the supermarket – until they made me feel dumb
The trolley’s digital dashboard is urging me to spend another $20 to unlock a deal. Are these smart trolleys really going to save us money?
- by Claire Heaney
Exclusive
Electric vehicles
Chinese electric car giant races ahead of Tesla in Australia
Elon Musk’s electric vehicles are being outshone on our roads by the rising popularity of Shenzhen-based BYD’s cars.
- by Nick Toscano
Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/business/consumer-affairs