business
Consumer affairs
Kids store fined $5 million for exploiting workers
Blue Sky Kids Land promised “exceptional care” to its tiny customers and their parents. But the clothing retailer also systematically exploited its workers.
- by Eryk Bagshaw
Latest
Exclusive
Energy
‘Time is running out’: Victoria, NSW turn to gas imports as energy crisis nears
Governments are rushing to kickstart Australia’s first-ever gas imports, despite the nation being a top global exporter of the fossil fuel.
- by Nick Toscano
Record numbers of us will travel this summer – but only if it’s cheap
A record number of Australians are travelling over the coming weeks, but cost-of-living pressures are forcing a rethink of how much spending is done on holiday.
- by Daniel Lo Surdo
‘The time pressure helps’: Anatomy of last-minute Christmas shopping
Melbourne indie bookstore owner Leesa Lambert deliberately does not play Christmas carols in her store to try and decrease stress for last-minute shoppers.
- by Hannah Kennelly
Why this street parking takeover has the watchdog concerned
A proposed merger between the largest suppliers of on-street parking in Australia has sparked warnings about the impact on councils and ratepayers.
- by Daniel Lo Surdo
The story of Reginald Grouse and his very cool house
This Japanese-inspired two-storey brick house – designed by architect Reginald Grouse more than 60 years ago – remains a thing of beauty decades later.
- by Stephen Crafti
‘Be in the game or suffer’: ‘Black November’ is reshaping Christmas and Boxing Day sales
With end-of-year sales “marathon” starting earlier and earlier in November, Australian retailers are rewriting their battle plans.
- by Jessica Yun
Opinion
Big four
Why CBA should be embarrassed for charging for cash withdrawals
Australia’s biggest bank has found out the hard way how quickly a simple and largely benign change to transaction accounts can become a debacle.
- by Elizabeth Knight
You’re not imagining it: there’s a reason roses don’t smell as sweet
Many cut specimens, mostly imported and sold for big events such as Valentine’s Day, lack scent. But among the locally grown, perfume is making a huge comeback.
- by Julie Power
Opinion
Architecture
Family compound escapes demolition, becomes elegant home
Large home plots in Melbourne’s blue-chip Toorak tend to be a prime target for demolition.
- by Stephen Crafti
Webjet sued for allegedly misleading customers on airfare prices
Australia’s competition and consumer watchdog has launched Federal Court action against the online travel booking site, accusing it of misleading consumers about flight prices and bookings.
- by David Swan
Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/business/consumer-affairs