Economic news

• ASX closes on record high — as it happened

  04-08-2026 23:59 via abc.net.au
  
  Australia's share market closed on a record high, pressure eased on the yen and traders hoped for a Strait of Hormuz solution. Catch up on the day's markets and economic news on the live blog.
  
  Read more

• Jetstar to scrap free 7kg carry-on for new overhead luggage fees

  04-08-2026 23:54 via abc.net.au
  
  Jetstar has announced it will charge passengers to stow carry-on luggage in overhead lockers from next year, allowing only a small under-seat bag at no extra cost.
  
  Read more

• Jetstar to charge new fees for overhead carry-on baggage

  04-08-2026 23:54 via abc.net.au
  
  Jetstar has announced it will charge passengers to stow carry-on luggage in overhead lockers from next year, allowing only a small under-seat bag at no extra cost.
  
  Read more

• Jetstar scrap free 7kg carry-on for new overhead luggage fees

  04-08-2026 23:54 via abc.net.au
  
  Jetstar has announced it will charge passengers to stow carry-on luggage in overhead lockers from next year, allowing only a small under-seat bag at no extra cost.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Fears bird flu could have 'devastating' effect on Phillip Island penguins

  04-08-2026 23:03 via abc.net.au
  
  Conservationists say they fear the arrival of H5 bird flu in Australia could have a devastating impact on Phillip Island's penguin population.
  
  Read more

• Cream puffs 'deflating for now' as Sydney Chinatown institution shuts

  04-08-2026 23:01 via abc.net.au
  
  The popular Haymarket restaurant and bakery known best for its cream puffs has been shuttered with signage noting the premises "has been lawfully re-entered and possession taken".
  
  Read more

• Cream puff institution closes in Sydney's Chinatown amid ATO scrutiny

  04-08-2026 23:01 via abc.net.au
  
  The popular Haymarket restaurant and bakery known best for its cream puffs has been shuttered with signage noting the premises "has been lawfully re-entered and possession taken".
  
  Read more

• Own Australian shares? Reporting season to bring big falls at major companies

  04-08-2026 21:49 via abc.net.au
  
  Australia's largest companies will reveal how they performed financially over the next few weeks, against the gloomy backdrop of a property downturn, stubborn inflation, higher interest rates and the Iran war.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Big falls ahead for some of Australia's major stocks as they reveal profits

  04-08-2026 21:49 via abc.net.au
  
  Australia's largest companies will reveal how they performed financially over the next few weeks, against the gloomy backdrop of a property downturn, stubborn inflation, higher interest rates and the Iran war.
  
  Read more

• Big falls ahead for some of Australia's big companies as they reveal profits

  04-08-2026 21:49 via abc.net.au
  
  Australia's largest companies will reveal how they performed financially over the next few weeks, against the gloomy backdrop of a property downturn, stubborn inflation, higher interest rates and the Iran war.
  
  Read more

• Solar costs for business to be slashed under energy scheme expansion

  04-08-2026 14:26 via abc.net.au
  
  The federal government is set to announce changes to the Small-scale Renewable Energy scheme in a bid to help businesses install solar systems and close the gap with residential take-up.
  
  Read more

• Arnott's workers strike over hourly pay rises worth less than a packet of biscuits

  04-08-2026 09:24 via abc.net.au
  
  Arnott's workers in Adelaide have walked off the job over a pay dispute, with their union saying previous pay rises have equated to less than $1 per hour — not enough to buy a packet of biscuits.
  
  Read more

• Salmon farm releasing nutrients, but EPA says it's not causing algae

  04-08-2026 08:29 via abc.net.au
  
  The waters around Tassal's Long Bay fish farm near Port Arthur have signs of excess nutrients — including nuisance algae and seagrass loss. But the EPA has questioned if the fish farm is responsible, and extended its licence for two years.
  
  Read more

• Tom Holland and Zendaya become most bankable box office couple in Hollywood

  04-08-2026 08:25 via abc.net.au
  
  Real-life Hollywood couple Tom Holland and Zendaya are celebrating simultaneous box office success stories in Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey – smash hit movies they both star in.
  
  Read more

• Mine's ex-bosses forced into bankruptcy over allegedly misappropriated funds

  04-08-2026 08:08 via abc.net.au
  
  The former bosses of Hellyer mine, in Tasmania's north-west, have been ordered to repay a combined $8.5 million in allegedly misappropriated funds after failing to set aside a bankruptcy ruling in the federal court.
  
  Read more

• Sacked for fighting crime, Wendy 'The Enforcer' wins bottle-o job back

  04-08-2026 07:44 via abc.net.au
  
  A Tasmanian bottle shop worker who earned the nickname The Enforcer after she used a roller door to deter would-be thieves was sacked by her employer, BWS. But now, Wendy is back in business.
  
  Read more

• Household spending increases in June, powered by EV sales

  04-08-2026 07:40 via abc.net.au
  
  Australian household spending rose for a second month in June as consumers splashed out on electric vehicles amid rising fuel costs.
  
  Read more

• Alan Jones told 17yo 'there are no rules' at his home, court hears

  04-08-2026 04:18 via abc.net.au
  
  A man accusing Alan Jones of indecently assaulting him has detailed in court a night at the broadcaster's farm, where he said Mr Jones demanded he have a shower and come out wearing "a robe and nothing else".
  
  Read more

• WA's Mid West faces hurdles to hosting Australia's newest oil refinery

  04-08-2026 01:07 via abc.net.au
  
  Australia's first new oil refinery in decades is touted for WA. A site under consideration in the state's Mid West faces a big hurdle in connecting to power. 
  
  Read more

• WA's Mid West faces hurdles to becoming Australia's newest oil refinery

  04-08-2026 01:07 via abc.net.au
  
  Australia's first new oil refinery in decades is touted for WA. A site under consideration in the state's Mid West faces a big hurdle in connecting to power. 
  
  Read more

• Melbourne public hospital doctors to strike next week

  04-08-2026 00:03 via abc.net.au
  
  Doctors at some of Melbourne's biggest public hospitals will walk off the job next week as part of a pay and conditions dispute with the state government.
  
  Read more

Follow @Economic_News_ on Twitter!