Business news

• Rex grounds two routes 10 months after $60m rescue package

  14-10-2026 07:00 via abc.net.au
  
  Less than a year after Rex was sold with the aid of a federal government rescue package, the embattled airline has suspended services to Orange and Port Macquarie.
  
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• Famous Larrimah pub shuts after bikies visit sister venue on 'charity run'

  17-10-2026 05:13 via abc.net.au
  
  The Northern Territory's world famous Larrimah Pink Panther Hotel has shut its doors after a police raid on its sister venue following an Outlaws bikie gang "charity run".
  
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• The humble chickpea has just boomed in value

  17-10-2026 04:01 via abc.net.au
  
  Australian chickpeas are in hot demand, with prices surging towards $1,000 per tonne in some regions. 
  
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• Work starts on Bundaberg's first hotel development in 20 years

  17-10-2026 02:33 via abc.net.au
  
  The tourism industry hopes it's the start of a long-awaited hotel building boom for the city, which has struggled to attract significant short-term accommodation development.
  
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• Darwin accountant trades tax for cane toad taxidermy

  17-10-2026 00:37 via abc.net.au
  
  There are 531 dead cane toads in Darwin resident Mithram Selvaratnam's freezer. The accountant who traded numbers for taxidermy will have some of them wearing Santa hats by Christmas.
  
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• 'Insufficient' relief for businesses affected by Civic construction

  16-10-2026 23:09 via abc.net.au
  
  A review of Canberra's night life has found the ACT government should consider stronger relief for businesses affected by construction work in the city and establish a dedicated Night-Time Economy Commissioner.
  
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• Canberra businesses battling 'multi-agency maze' to stay open, report finds

  16-10-2026 23:09 via abc.net.au
  
  A review of Canberra's night life has found the ACT government should consider stronger relief for businesses affected by construction work in the city and establish a dedicated Night-Time Economy Commissioner.
  
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• Coral overharvesting on Great Barrier Reef investigated by regulator

  16-10-2026 23:04 via abc.net.au
  
  The investigation comes as the coral harvesting industry on the reef is facing increased pressure from environmentalists.
  
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• Calls to rethink limits as Fisheries Qld investigates Great Barrier Reef coral overharvesting

  16-10-2026 23:04 via abc.net.au
  
  The investigation comes as the coral harvesting industry on the reef is facing increased pressure from environmentalists.
  
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• Copper thefts leave Perth roads in darkness and cost taxpayers millions

  16-10-2026 22:11 via abc.net.au
  
  More than 100 kilometres of major roads and paths across Perth remain dark without street lighting because organised crime groups are selling lucrative stolen copper on the black market. 
  
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• From kitsch decor to extinct chains, new book revisits classic eateries

  16-10-2026 22:05 via abc.net.au
  
  A sophisticated 70s restaurant with hot-pink light shades and the all-you-can-eat smorgasbords of the suburbs are among the Melbourne institutions revived in a new coffee table book.
  
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• Invasive fire ants return to organic farms not treated for 14 months

  16-10-2026 22:02 via abc.net.au
  
  Treatment on export-certified organic farms was paused in August 2025 after genetically modified ingredients were discovered in the baits used to treat nests. 
  
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• Mine owner convinced tiny town's lead poisoning concerns are unfounded

  16-10-2026 21:37 via abc.net.au
  
  Dozens of residents have voiced their opposition to a proposed silver and lead mine in the NSW central west, but the proponents say it will help the region's economy.
  
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• Private lenders scramble to recover funds after Bathla collapse

  16-10-2026 21:30 via abc.net.au
  
  Private credit firms are striking deals to recover their money following the $3.4 billion collapse of property giant Bathla Group, with one major lender selling most of its exposure to a Sydney apartment project.
  
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• Major lender in Bathla development sells debts

  16-10-2026 21:30 via abc.net.au
  
  Private credit firms are striking deals to recover their money following the $3.4 billion collapse of property giant Bathla Group, with one major lender selling most of its exposure to a Sydney apartment project.
  
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• EV boom zaps second-hand prices for petrol and diesel cars

  16-10-2026 20:00 via smh.com.au
  
  As Australian drivers upgrade to EVs, they’re offloading their old fuel-reliant cars en masse - and prices are falling rapidly.
  
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• Damned if you work, damned if you retire: The Baby Boomers stuck in a Catch-22

  16-10-2026 20:00 via smh.com.au
  
  It’s a generation that has been defined by a fat-cat minority – but Boomers are increasingly working well past retirement age.
  
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• $2m payday for home battery owners as heatwave catches grid off guard

  16-10-2026 20:00 via abc.net.au
  
  This week's unseasonal heat, coal outages and transmission constraints sent NSW power prices soaring, but batteries added a twist.
  
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• Lithium mine expansion could rival global leader

  16-10-2026 10:47 via abc.net.au
  
  PLS Pilgangoora announces it will expand its lithium operation in WA's Pilbara, potentially rivalling the biggest lithium producer in the world. 
  
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• Bush pub that inspired Slim Dusty's 'Humpty Doo Waltz' hits the market

  16-10-2026 10:14 via abc.net.au
  
  For more than 50 years thirsty travellers and local punters have ducked into the Humpty Doo Hotel. Now its owner of nearly 40 years has decided its time for someone new to take over.
  
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• Fate of current Spirit of Tasmania ferries unclear days before final voyages

  16-10-2026 09:23 via abc.net.au
  
  With their final voyage imminent, the future of ferries Spirit I and II is unclear, with no buyer yet and no local berths available to store them.
  
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• Buyer still wanted for Spirit of Tasmania ferries

  16-10-2026 09:23 via abc.net.au
  
  With their final voyage imminent, the future of ferries Spirit I and II is unclear, with no buyer yet and no local berths available to store them.
  
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• ‘China Shock 2.0’ is coming and the world is on edge

  16-10-2026 09:18 via smh.com.au
  
  You may think you have lived through an enormous economic shock as the result of the rise of China. But you ain’t seen nothing yet.
  
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• Big Hits: Haranga delivers US Mother Lode gold masterclass

  16-10-2026 08:03 via smh.com.au
  
  Big Hits looks at notable drill intercepts reported to the ASX this week, led by Haranga Resources in California, which breathed new life into the historic Mother Lode Gold Belt.
  
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• ASX Runners of the Week: Identifai, Avenira & Image Resources

  16-10-2026 07:29 via smh.com.au
  
  This week’s Bulls N’ Bears ASX Runner of the Week is… Identifai, after the Israeli biotech newcomer made a stellar debut on the ASX with its AI-powered prenatal screening technology.
  
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• ASX Runners of the Week: Identifai, Aevenira & Image Resources

  16-10-2026 07:29 via smh.com.au
  
  This week’s Bulls N’ Bears ASX Runner of the Week is… Identifai, after the Israeli biotech newcomer made a stellar debut on the ASX with its AI-powered prenatal screening technology.
  
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• Reserve Bank governor paid $1.2 million as RBA workers fight real wage cuts

  16-10-2026 06:50 via abc.net.au
  
  RBA governor Michele Bullock received total remuneration of $1.22 million in 2025-26.
  
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• Proposed Dalby data centre to harvest rainwater from roof

  16-10-2026 06:50 via abc.net.au
  
  The international developer that has proposed Australia's largest data centre says it would be able to operate during even the worst droughts. 
  
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• Nationals say Liberals oppose EU trade deal, Liberals beg to differ

  16-10-2026 05:53 via abc.net.au
  
  Despite Matt Canavan's assertion that both the Liberal and National parties oppose the EU free trade deal, Liberals say they have not agreed a position and some are inclined to support it.
  
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• 3M lays out 'attack' on Commonwealth's $2 billion PFAS lawsuit

  16-10-2026 05:39 via abc.net.au
  
  The US chemical giant 3M will defend the federal government's claims of public nuisance and misleading and deceptive conduct. 
  
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