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EconomyRetailers slam uncertainty in Qld shopping

The Queensland government has been blasted about uncertain terms surrounding essential workers in the retail sector.

Fraser Barton

Leave entitlementsHigh Court stymies leave pay for casuals

The High Court has overturned a judgment that found a worker employed as a casual by a labour hire firm should be paid for annual, sick and other leave.

AAP

Sales tumbleRetail spending hit by lockdowns in June

Retail spending fell 1.8 per cent in June due to the impact of lockdowns in a number of states but still managed to grow by 0.8 per cent in the June quarter.

Colin Brinsden

‘Battle-scarred’CommentsPremiumIs Perth’s housing boom running out of steam?

While WA may be the nation’s standout performer in dealing with COVID, new figures show the local property market was a lot more subdued than the rest of the nation last month.

Kim Macdonald

Losing steamMortgage demand has biggest drop in year

There are early signs Australia's housing boom is easing with demand for home loans falling, Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows.

Colin Brinsden, AAP Economics and Business Correspondent

Rates reviewRBA faced with vastly different situation

The Reserve Bank will hold its monthly board meeting on Tuesday and faces a vastly different economic outlook than when it met in early July.

Colin Brinsden

Skills SummitCommentsPremiumWA’s leaders meet for urgent talks on economic repair

Attracting seniors and women back into the workforce and poaching skilled migrants from other States will be among the ideas discussed to address critical skills shortages in WA.

Josh Zimmerman

Rough rideUS economy contracted 19.2pc in pandemic

Data has confirmed that the COVID-19 recession in the US was the worst ever.

Lucia Mutikani

rapid growthPremiumRecord business confidence sees SMEs scale up

WA’s small and medium-sized enterprises are leading a national rebound as business conditions across the country surge to record highs.

Kate Purnell

EconomyAPI rejects Wesfarmers takeover offer

Priceline Pharmacy owner Australian Pharmaceutical Industries has rejected Wesfarmers' $687 million takeover bid.

Steven Deare

Big whackStaggering national cost of Sydney lockdown extension revealed

The enormous cost of Sydney’s strict stay-at-home extension has been revealed as the city is set to be locked down for another month.

Erin Lyons

Labour shortagesPremiumMigration not the answer to skills crisis: union

Persistent skills shortages will ultimately be solved by the WA Government committing to a long-term labour plan and big business investment, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union says.

Danielle Le Messurier

Future is nearHume: We want Australia to ‘lead the way’ on AI

The Morrison Government is pouring billions into artificial intelligence as digital uptake in Australia skyrockets off the back of the COVID-19 pandemic. A minister has revealed why it’s worth it.

Sarah Ison

EconomyVideoPremiumIsraeli Ultra-Orthodox men urged to work

Israel's government is looking to push more Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into work, but the measure could pit powerful religious leaders against politicians.

Steven Scheer

EconomyBest & Less climbs on ASX debut

Best & Less has found plenty of fans on the Australian share market as investors tipped the group to trump virus lockdowns.

Steven Deare

Surging aheadPremiumWA tops economic growth rankings

WA’s economic activity in the year to March was 23.3 per cent above its decade average, the Comsec State of the States report has found.

Stuart McKinnon

Heated competitionPremiumResources industry devours itself in job wars

The powerhouse mining industry has been poaching staff from other sectors with unbeatable pay packets during the pandemic but it has also been busy cannibalising its own workforce.

Danielle Le Messurier

EconomyECB says ultra-low rate benchmarks stay

The European Central Bank says it will maintain its stimulus in the form of ultra-low interest rates until inflation "durably" reaches its 2 per cent target.

AAP

Lockdown falloutTreasurer confident of avoiding recession

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg concedes the economy faces a downturn in the September quarter, but is confident it won't extend into the December quarter.

Colin Brinsden

EconomyClimate concerns over WA red tape plan

Western Australia's hot construction market could cause projects to be delayed, while conservationists are concerned about a government plan to slash red tape.

Michael Ramsey

New thinkingAust workers stand up on wellbeing, values

Australian workers are de-prioritising their careers in favour of their mental health and wellbeing and employers must adapt, data shows.

AAP

Home ordersRetail spending sunk by lockdowns in June

Retail trade dropped 1.8 per cent in June following a series of lockdowns across the country with only food retailing rising in the month.

Colin Brinsden

Mood shiftsConfidence tumbles as outlook turns grim

The economic outlook has taken a turn for the worse in just a matter of weeks with the nation's two biggest cities now in lockdown with no reprieve in sight.

Colin Brinsden

Contraction fearNSW building lockdown adds to economy woes

Economists believe there is an increased risk of the economy contracting in the September quarter as Greater Sydney construction sites are locked down.

Colin Brinsden