ABC Australia

Discussion is growing in Australia over whether the country is heading into a genuine recession, with financial news outlets asking if an economic downturn is real rather than technical. ABC's 7.30 program is also covering the economic picture, keeping the topic in front of a broad national audience as households weigh cost-of-living pressures and growth figures.

Australia's Labor government is defending its economic management following an interest rate hike, with the story drawing wide attention through ABC News coverage. The government faces criticism over cost-of-living pressures, while the Reserve Bank's decision has intensified debate over whether its economic policies are working.

ABC News finance commentator Alan Kohler has set out why the Reserve Bank of Australia might continue raising interest rates, in analysis attracting significant attention. His argument is drawing discussion among Australian households, borrowers and investors weighing further tightening against persistent inflation pressures and what it would mean for mortgages and the wider economy.

A magnitude 3.9 earthquake was recorded near Ensay in Victoria, Australia, according to the ABC, while Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture experienced a quake with a maximum intensity of 2, felt in Minamata City. Japan's Emperor and Empress are scheduled to visit Kumamoto on the 29th to comfort communities hit by earlier earthquake damage.

Australia's central bank, the Reserve Bank of Australia, is facing questions over whether it would keep raising interest rates even if that pushed the country into recession, as it works to bring inflation back to target. The debate has drawn wide public attention, with commentators weighing the cost of aggressive tightening against the damage of persistent high inflation.

ABC's business program examines how the traditional Australian dream of home ownership is becoming more expensive. The report looks at rising housing costs and what they mean for households trying to buy a home, framing affordability as a growing financial challenge for ordinary Australians.

Leading Australian women's cricketers have publicly called on Cricket Australia to address scheduling issues in the women's game, according to ABC News. The players say the current fixture calendar is not working and want the governing body to make changes. Details of the specific grievances and Cricket Australia's response were not provided in the available reporting.

ABC News business commentator Alan Kohler has examined the economics behind Australia's migration program, looking at how population growth interacts with housing, the labour market and government budgets. The segment, part of his 'That's Business' series, is drawing wide attention as migration remains one of the most contested issues in Australian public debate.

Australia's national broadcaster ABC says it opposes a proposed copyright carveout that would allow AI companies to use published material without payment. The broadcaster argues its content has likely already been scraped to train AI models, and it wants protections rather than exemptions for the tech industry. The stance adds to growing pushback from media organisations worldwide over the unlicensed use of their journalism in AI training.

ABC News finance commentator Alan Kohler has published an analysis of the pressures driving the Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate decisions. The piece examines the economic forces, from inflation to global conditions, that the RBA must weigh as it sets monetary policy. Viewers are engaging heavily with the explainer amid ongoing debate about the direction of Australian rates.

ABC News finance commentator Alan Kohler has broken down three key factors currently pulling interest rates in different directions. His analysis comes as households and markets weigh whether the Reserve Bank of Australia will cut or hold rates, with inflation pressures and economic slowdown pointing to conflicting signals for borrowers.

Australia's national broadcaster examines how Asian countries are using food as a tool of soft power, using cuisine to build cultural influence and shape international perceptions. The piece looks at how governments and communities promote national dishes abroad as part of broader diplomatic and cultural strategies, reflecting growing recognition of gastronomy in foreign policy debates.

Anthropic has told an Australian review that AI firms should be able to use locally published content for training unless creators opt out. The proposal puts the company at odds with Australian broadcasters ABC and SBS, who are demanding strict regulations to protect journalism and ensure media organisations are fairly compensated when their work trains AI models.

Anthropic has made a submission to Australian authorities seeking regulatory approval to use copyrighted material for AI training, reportedly under an opt-out scheme involving broadcasters such as the ABC and SBS. The move puts the company at the centre of Australia's ongoing copyright review, where creators and publishers are pressing for consent and compensation while AI developers argue that broad access to text and other works is essential for building models.