AAA still vulnerable, warns S&P
The government has been told its economic outlook is too rosy and leaves the nation vulnerable to a sudden downturn.
Four MPs quit on Gallagher ruling
Four MPs have resigned in the wake of the High Court ruling Labor senator Katy Gallagher ineligible over dual citizenship.
Morrison's delivered an election-winner
It's a brilliant budget that could be a game-changer by tapping into the deep discontent the public has with political weasel-words, writes Christopher Joye.
What the budget means for markets
Bonds are expected to be the marginal winners from the federal budget, which is unlikely to change the story for equities or the currency.
Budget 2018 built on a strong business community
Business believes last night's budget was built on the strength of the business community, noting a $15b increase in forecast company tax revenue since last year's budget.
Rates slashed as APRA ends loan growth cap
Rates on interest-only investment loans are being slashed by up to 30 basis points following APRA's decision to lift lending caps on borrowers.
Markets Live: ASX up on miners, banks fall
The ASX has traded quite turbulently throughout the day as CBA drags the index.
ANZ appoints Alexis George as deputy CEO
ANZ has promoted Alexis George to deputy chief executive and Mark Hand to head of business and private banking.
RFG rejects calls for more disclosure, regulation
Retail Food Group is forcing prospective franchisees to obtain mandatory financial advice but rejects calls for more disclosure or regulation.
Petroleum industry left hanging on tax
No news is not good news when it comes to the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax and the federal budget, which has left the oil and gas industry in limbo.
Zenith lowers Blue Sky funds rating to its worst category
More Blue Sky-managed funds have been re-rated due to governance concerns.
CBA pays $25m to settle bank bill swap rate
CBA will admit to attempting to engage in unconscionable conduct as part of its settlement, and acknowledge its systems weren't adequate to monitor staff.
Challenger climbs on retirement income reforms
Challenger's shares rose 5 per cent on better-than-expected retirement income reform proposals in the 2018 federal budget.
Economy gets an endorphin hit
Hear that sound? The dull roar of an economy slowly coming good?
ASX poised to open firmer
Australian shares are set to open firmer one day after the federal budget. President Trump's decision to axe Iran's nuclear deal came as no surprise.
Argentina seeks $US30b in IMF funding
Argentina has gone cap in hand to the IMF for $US30 billion to stabilise its finances as the peso sank and the central bank jacked up rates to 40 per cent.
Opinion
Why tax cuts are likely to be spent not saved
The RBA will closely monitor any budget tax cuts as low- and middle-income earners have a much higher propensity to consume.
A powerful call to voters - stick with us
Budgets are always a contest between politics and economics; how close the next election call usually set the priorities.
Morrison aims to make the politics add up
Scott Morrison is determined to show Australians the Coalition government has a PLAN. The budget is the down payment.
O'Dwyer right to lose patience with insurers
The superannuation and insurance industries developed a code about how super should be dealt with inside the retirement savings system, but it was only voluntary and failed to deal with the plight of younger savers.
Ferris gets his human genome 'moonshot'
The first project funded under the genomics mission is a $20 million trial of pre-conception testing for debilitating childhood diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy, cystic fibrosis and fragile X syndrome.
Wharfies shut down port to support Setka
The Port of Melbourne has been shut down as hundreds of stevedores stop work to rally in support of CFMMEU leader John Setka over blackmail charges.
Federal budget winners and losers
Low and middle-income earners, young super savers and older people are the winners of this budget, while super funds, life insurers and renewable energy providers will miss out.
The federal budget explained in 5 easy graphs
It seems complicated but this is what matters in the federal budget in five easy graphs.
A rear view of Canberra's mad house
This one had it all: Georgina Downer Canberra-bound and Peter Costello's act of sheer bastardry.
Ghosts of 2001 crisis haunt Argentina
Many Argentines associate the IMF inextricably with the social and economic chaos that followed the country's 2001 devaluation and $US100bn debt default.
China rejects Clinton's influence claims
Beijing has rejected former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's warning that Australia and New Zealand must take reports of Chinese interference in their domestic politics seriously.
Trump's Iran move is a world-changer
Trump has all but declared war on Iran. That will be consequential enough. The collateral damage to America's global standing may be even worse.
UK challenger banks still between rock and a hard place
Many see the mooted merger between Virgin Money and CYBG as defensive, creating the UK's largest mid-sized bank. However, the combined entity would still only have 2.5 per cent of current accounts.
Pompeo arrives in North Korea
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday to prepare an unprecedented summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump.
Personal Finance
Taxpayers on $200,000 to save $7225 a year
Under the Turnbull government's tax plan, people earning $200,000 will save as much as $7225 from their annual tax bill but the bulk of the cuts will not show up until 2024-25.
Young savers win in life insurance crackdown
Super fund members under 25 and those with balances under $6000 will no longer be forced to take out life insurance, as part of changes that will add $700 million to budget coffers.
Boomer plan blunts housing policies
A plan to help up to 20,000 more older Australians stay in their homes longer conflicts with policies to free up housing stock, experts say.
Warnings R&D; could move offshore as incentives slashed
Australia is at risk of losing research and development done by manufacturers and mining companies to other countries after the budget slashed $1b a year from the R&D; tax incentive scheme.
Funding changes will make it tougher for students
"What will it be like for new students now?" The federal budget had no big picture changes for tertiary education.
Pharmacy owners 1, consumers 0 ... yet again
The government has totally squibbed the latest pharmacy regulation review and consumers will be the losers.
NAB not walking the shared value talk
The misconduct that has emerged in the royal commission hearings is not in line with shared value principles.
Lifestyle
Cruise the old spice route from Dubai to Singapore
After three days' gliding through the Gulf of Arabia, we are ready to sample Mumbai's rowdy charms.
