| Surge in Business Loan Applications Amid ATO Debt Rule Changes Thu, 09 Oct: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Australia are experiencing a significant shift in financial strategy due to impending changes in tax debt regulations by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Effective from July 1, general interest charges (GIC) and shortfall interest charges (SIC) on tax debts will no longer be tax-deductible. - read more
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| RBA Advises Caution on Borrowing as Interest Rates Set to Fall Thu, 09 Oct: The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has issued a cautionary statement to households, advising against excessive borrowing in anticipation of potential interest rate reductions. This warning aims to prevent the emergence of a boom-and-bust cycle that could destabilize the financial system. - read more
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| Lendela and Revive Financial Join Forces to Address Australia's Growing Debt Challenges Thu, 09 Oct: In response to the escalating debt crisis in Australia, Lendela, a leading loan matching platform, has announced a strategic partnership with Revive Financial, the nation's largest debt relief and management firm. This collaboration aims to empower Australians facing financial distress by offering tailored debt solutions designed to restore financial stability. - read more
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| Macquarie Bank Shifts Strategy: Exits Car Loans to Prioritise Mortgages Thu, 09 Oct: In a significant strategic shift, Macquarie Bank has announced its decision to cease offering car loans, redirecting its focus towards expanding its mortgage and deposit services. This move is set to result in the loss of approximately 100 jobs within the bank's automotive lending division. - read more
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| The Digital Revolution in Auto Financing: A Boon for Australian Car Buyers Thu, 09 Oct: The automotive finance industry in Australia is undergoing a significant digital transformation, offering consumers more streamlined and personalised experiences when securing car loans. This shift is largely driven by fintech companies leveraging advanced technologies to simplify the borrowing process. - read more
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| Revolutionising the Used Car Market: The Rise of Data-Driven Platforms in Australia Thu, 09 Oct: The Australian used car market is experiencing a transformative shift, driven by innovative platforms that leverage data to enhance the car buying experience. One such platform, Carma, is at the forefront of this revolution, offering consumers a seamless online process to purchase quality-assured used vehicles. - read more
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| Gold Reaches Unprecedented Heights Amid Global Instability Wed, 08 Oct: In an unprecedented turn of events, gold prices have surged to nearly $US4000 per ounce, positioning the precious metal as Australia’s second most valuable export. This dramatic price escalation is driven by a complex interplay of factors including cuts in US interest rates and global geopolitical tensions, leading investors to seek the security of stable, tangibly-valued assets like gold. - read more
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| WA Police Leaders Consider Tax and Superannuation Changes to Tackle Retention Challenges Wed, 08 Oct: Western Australia's Police Minister, Reece Whitby, is advocating for federal tax and superannuation reforms as potential solutions to boost retention within the police force. This initiative comes amidst ongoing issues with keeping experienced officers from leaving the service. - read more
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| Australian Court Upholds Ruling on Misleading Harvey Norman Ads Wed, 08 Oct: The Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia has upheld a prior decision against Latitude Financial and Harvey Norman, maintaining that certain advertisements were misleading. These ads, which ran from January 2020 to August 2021, promoted ‘no deposit’ and ‘interest-free’ payment options but failed to disclose the necessity of acquiring a Latitude GO Mastercard to avail the offer. - read more
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| Regulatory Pressure on Investment Governance Following Fund Collapses Wed, 08 Oct: The Australian government has directed the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to reassess current financial resource stipulations for managed investment scheme (MIS) operators. Concurrently, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has advised platform trustees to enhance governance standards. These actions stem from the collapse of the Shield and First Guardian master funds, which led to significant investor losses. - read more
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| Jailed Broker Misuses Client Funds for Personal Gain Wed, 08 Oct: In a significant breach of trust, New Zealand insurance broker in Murray McClune has been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for embezzling $NZ1.7 million ($1.5 million) from two elderly couples, as reported by the Financial Markets Authority. McClune, a registered financial adviser during 2016-2018, exploited his long-term relationship with his victims by offering fraudulent investment opportunities through his business, Insurance Plus. - read more
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| ASIC Initiates Comprehensive Review of Motor Vehicle Finance Practices Wed, 08 Oct: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has commenced a thorough review of the motor vehicle finance sector, aiming to bolster consumer protections and ensure industry-wide compliance. This initiative is particularly focused on the experiences of borrowers in regional and remote areas, including First Nations communities. - read more
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| Macquarie Transfers $1.5 Billion Car Loan Portfolio to Allied Credit Wed, 08 Oct: In a significant development within the Australian financial sector, Macquarie Group's Banking and Financial Services division has agreed to sell a substantial portion of its car loan portfolio, valued at $1.5 billion, to Allied Credit. This transaction involves over 50,000 car loans and is expected to be finalised by the fourth quarter of 2025. - read more
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| Bank Australia Ends Financing for New Petrol, Diesel, and Hybrid Vehicles Wed, 08 Oct: In a bold move towards environmental sustainability, Bank Australia has ceased offering loans for new petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles as of February 2025. This policy change is part of the bank's commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2035. - read more
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| Crusader Caravans Triumphs as 2025 Manufacturer of the Year Wed, 08 Oct: Crusader Caravans has once again demonstrated its leadership in the Australian caravan industry by securing the Manufacturer of the Year award for 2025, presented by Caravan Industry Victoria (CIV). This marks the fourth time the company has received this prestigious accolade, underscoring its unwavering commitment to excellence in caravan and RV manufacturing. - read more
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| NRMA's Review Crew: Your Ticket to Authentic Australian Adventures Wed, 08 Oct: The NRMA has unveiled an exciting initiative aimed at enriching the travel experiences of Australians: the My NRMA Rewards Review Crew. This program invites members to participate in unique journeys across the country and share their authentic experiences, providing valuable insights for fellow travelers. - read more
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| Crusader Caravans' Buyer’s Guide: A Must-Read for Prospective Owners Wed, 08 Oct: Crusader Caravans has observed a remarkable surge in interest for their comprehensive Buyer’s Guide and Checklist, with downloads doubling over the recent holiday period. This trend underscores the growing demand among Australians for reliable information to guide their caravan purchasing decisions. - read more
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| Australia's Slow Growth in Household Income: Understanding the Impact Tue, 07 Oct: Australia's growth in real per capita household disposable income has lagged significantly compared to its global counterparts, highlighting a concerning trend in the economic landscape. Over the decade concluding in the first quarter of 2025, Australia reported the slowest increase in real per capita household disposable income among major English-speaking nations, as evidenced by data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). - read more
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| Cbus Resolves Lawsuit Over Payout Delays Tue, 07 Oct: In a significant development within the superannuation sector, Cbus and its administrator, MUFG Retirement Solutions, have reached a settlement concerning a lawsuit over delays in processing death benefits and life insurance claims. The resolution has led to a series of reforms aimed at enhancing claims handling and payment services for its members. - read more
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| Australia’s Housing Market: Navigating the First Home Guarantee Scheme Tue, 07 Oct: The Albanese government's new First Home Guarantee scheme, effective from Wednesday, aims to assist first-time home buyers by enabling them to purchase property with just a 5% deposit. This means buyers won’t need to pay lenders’ mortgage insurance, as taxpayers will underwrite 15% of the mortgage. This initiative has generated a lot of interest among potential buyers. - read more
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| icare Under Investigation for Workers’ Compensation Underpayments Tue, 07 Oct: NSW state insurer, icare, has uncovered approximately 9,400 workers' compensation claims that might have been underpaid due to omitted inflation adjustments. The identification of these potential discrepancies is part of a wider industry review initiated by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA). - read more
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| Australian Home Prices Reach New Heights Following Interest Rate Reductions Tue, 07 Oct: In September 2025, Australia's housing market experienced a significant upswing, with national median home prices increasing by 0.8% to a record A$857,280. This marks the fastest monthly growth in a year, as reported by property consultant Cotality. The quarterly growth rate also accelerated to 2.2%, up from 1.5% in the previous quarter. - read more
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| ANZ Bank Faces Record A$240 Million Fine for Compliance Failures Tue, 07 Oct: In September 2025, ANZ, one of Australia's major banks, agreed to pay a record A$240 million fine following a series of serious regulatory breaches. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) cited misconduct including misleading the government during a A$14 billion bond deal, neglecting to act on customer hardship notices, and failing to refund fees to deceased clients. - read more
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| Surge in Home Loan Refinancing as Borrowers Capitalise on Lower Interest Rates Tue, 07 Oct: The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported a notable increase in home loan refinancing during the March quarter of 2025, with 65,030 loans refinanced between lenders—a 5.1% rise compared to the preceding quarter. This surge is largely driven by shifts in the cash rate, which influence borrowers' negotiating leverage with lenders. - read more
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| Australia Partners with Japan's Mitsubishi for New Naval Frigates Tue, 07 Oct: In a significant move to bolster its naval capabilities, Australia has awarded a AU$10 billion (US$6.5 billion) contract to Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the construction of 11 new Mogami-class frigates. This decision marks the largest defense industry agreement between Japan and Australia to date and represents one of Japan's most substantial defense exports. - read more
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