News

Editorial coverage from the Australian Capital Territory Australia Wire newsroom.

Technology
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Tim Wilson says government is borrowing from the future to spend today
The cash rate this week hit its highest point since 2011. It was the Reserve Bank’s fourth interest rate increase of the year.
SyndicatedMichelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra30 Sept 20263 min read
Environment
Cities across the world are sinking because of groundwater depletion. But the process can be reversed
Many cities around the world are sinking because too much water is extracted from the groundwater reservoirs beneath them.
SyndicatedJesse Kearse, Research Fellow in Earth Science, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington30 Sept 20264 min read
Environment
Interest rates have hit their highest level since 2011. The pain will feel different in 2026
The Reserve Bank this week lifted the cash rate another 0.25 percentage points to 4.6% – its fourth increase this year and the highest it has been since 2011.
SyndicatedAlan Duncan, Director, Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) and John Curtin Distinguished Professor at Curtin Business School, Curtin University30 Sept 20265 min read
Business
Inflation lifts to 4.0% in August, keeping pressure on the RBA for another rate rise
Australia’s headline inflation rate climbed to an annual rate of 4% in August, up from 3.5%, giving the Reserve Bank some vindication for its decision to raise interest rates a day before the figures were released.
SyndicatedIsaac Gross, Lecturer in Economics, Monash University30 Sept 20264 min read
Government
Amid rising support for right-wing minor parties, can David Shoebridge reinvigorate The Greens?
New South Wales Senator David Shoebridge was elected Leader of the Australian Greens at a party room meeting organised prior to Senator Larissa Waters’ announcement that she was stepping down from the party leadership owing to health issues…
SyndicatedNathan Fioritti, Lecturer in Politics, School of Social Sciences, Monash University30 Sept 20264 min read
Health
Can I still get a COVID vaccine? What you need to know about the latest updates
From October 1, COVID vaccines will only be free and recommended for those most at risk of serious illness.
SyndicatedNicholas Wood, Professor, The Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School and Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Sydney30 Sept 20264 min read
Business
New Greens leader David Shoebridge declares Greens ‘here to replace’ Labor
New Greens leader David Shoebridge targeted Labor with a strong attack after the party on Wednesday chose him to succeed Larissa Waters, who this week resigned from the position because of ill health.
SyndicatedMichelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra30 Sept 20264 min read
Business
Australian electric car and bus sales soar - but trucks lag far behind
An unprecedented boom is underway in Australia’s electric vehicle market.
SyndicatedMilad Haghani, Associate Professor and Principal Fellow in Urban Risk and Resilience, The University of Melbourne30 Sept 20264 min read
Environment
Bushfire season is fast approaching. A new satellite tool can help communities better prepare
As the weather starts to warm in Australia, people are beginning to look ahead to the bushfire season.
SyndicatedMarta Yebra, Director, Bushfire Research Centre of Excellence, Australian National University30 Sept 20264 min read
Government
After a decade, the UN’s Antonio Guterres is stepping down. His legacy will be mixed, at best
In his farewell address to the United Nations General Assembly last week, António Guterres reminisced about his time as secretary general.
SyndicatedSimon Adams, Professor of Human Rights, Murdoch University30 Sept 20264 min read
Business
Low productivity is NZ’s economic elephant in the room. Election pledges mostly avoid it
Yesterday’s Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update from the Treasury has given political parties their clearest picture yet of the economy they could inherit after November’s election.
SyndicatedDennis Wesselbaum, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of Otago30 Sept 20265 min read
Business
RBA lifts rates to highest level in 15 years – risking a sharper slowdown of the economy
The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised the cash rate to 4.6% from 4.35%, taking the key rate to its highest level since late 2011 as it battles persistent inflation.
SyndicatedStella Huangfu, Associate Professor, School of Economics, University of Sydney29 Sept 20264 min read