| APRA Implements Cap on High Debt-to-Income Home Loans Fri, 12 Dec: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced a significant policy change aimed at mitigating risks in the housing market. Effective February 2026, APRA will impose a cap on high debt-to-income (DTI) home loans, limiting such loans to 20% of new home lending. This measure applies to both owner-occupiers and investors, with an exemption for new housing developments. - read more
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| Commonwealth Bank Highlights Concerns Over Surging Home Loan Demand Fri, 12 Dec: The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), the nation's largest lender, has raised concerns about the current high demand for home loans, which is contributing to escalating property prices. CEO Matt Comyn acknowledged that while the bank has benefited from the surge in housing credit, such high levels are unsustainable and could undermine long-term financial stability, housing equality, and market accessibility. He suggested that a more moderate pace of credit growth would be beneficial. - read more
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| Black Friday Sales Lead to Surge in Credit Card Debt Among Australians Fri, 12 Dec: As Black Friday sales gain popularity in Australia, consumer advocates are raising concerns about the financial strain these events place on individuals and families. The allure of significant discounts and the social pressure to participate in these sales have led many Australians to increase their credit card debt, potentially exacerbating financial stress. - read more
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| ASIC Calls for Improved Consumer Safeguards in Car Finance Sector Fri, 12 Dec: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has recently conducted a comprehensive review of the nation's motor vehicle finance sector, uncovering significant issues that raise concerns about consumer protection and lending practices. - read more
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| Australia's Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Financing Soars in 2024 Fri, 12 Dec: Australia is witnessing a significant shift towards sustainable transportation, as evidenced by a remarkable surge in financing for electric and hybrid vehicles. In 2024, the Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) reported that over $6.17 billion was allocated to finance 104,835 electric and hybrid vehicles, marking a 50% increase from the previous year. - read more
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| ACCC Halts IAG's Acquisition of RAC Insurance Over Competition Concerns Thu, 11 Dec: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has recently blocked Insurance Australia Group's (IAG) proposed acquisition of RAC Insurance Pty Limited. This decision underscores the regulator's commitment to maintaining competitive dynamics within Western Australia's insurance market. - read more
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| Suncorp Reaches Maximum Reinsurance Retention Following Severe Storms in Queensland and NSW Thu, 11 Dec: Recent supercell thunderstorms in South East Queensland and northern New South Wales have led to a surge in insurance claims, prompting Suncorp to reach its maximum reinsurance retention of $350 million. The insurer has reported over 10,000 claims related to these events, with approximately half pertaining to home damages and the other half to motor vehicles. - read more
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| NTARC Report Identifies Inattention and Speed as Primary Factors in Major Truck Crashes Thu, 11 Dec: The National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) has released its latest Major Incident Investigation Report, highlighting inattention, distraction, and inappropriate speed as the most frequent human factors behind major truck crashes in Australia. While there has been a modest reduction in these incidents compared to previous years, they continue to pose significant risks to road safety. - read more
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| MitchCap's Strategic Alliance with BIA and BIAV: A New Era for Australia's Marine Industry Thu, 11 Dec: The Australian marine industry is set to benefit from a significant partnership between MitchCap, the Boating Industry Association (BIA), and the Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV). This collaboration aims to enhance financial literacy and provide robust support to marine businesses across the nation. - read more
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| Austal's US$100 Million Boost: Strengthening US Shipbuilding Capabilities Thu, 11 Dec: Austal Limited, a prominent Australian shipbuilder, has secured a US$100 million loan facility from Export Finance Australia (EFA). This funding is set to bolster Austal's construction of vessels for the US Navy and US Coast Guard at its Mobile, Alabama shipyard. - read more
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| Navigating Towards Sustainability: Hybrid Propulsion in Australia's Marine Industry Thu, 11 Dec: The Australian marine industry is witnessing a significant shift towards sustainability, marked by the increasing adoption of hybrid propulsion systems and eco-friendly technologies. This trend reflects a global movement towards reducing emissions and promoting environmental stewardship within the boating community. - read more
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| October 2025 Sees Significant Rise in Australian Household Spending Thu, 11 Dec: In October 2025, Australian household spending experienced a notable increase of 1.3%, reaching A$78.4 billion. This marks the most substantial monthly rise in nearly two years, as reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The surge was primarily driven by heightened expenditures on clothing, electronics, and hospitality services, spurred by year-end sales events. - read more
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| APRA's New Cap on High Debt-to-Income Home Loans: What Borrowers Need to Know Thu, 11 Dec: In a proactive move to address potential risks in the housing market, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced a new policy set to take effect in February 2026. This policy will cap the issuance of high debt-to-income (DTI) home loans at 20% of new lending portfolios for authorized institutions. Specifically, loans where the borrower's debt exceeds six times their income will be subject to this limitation. - read more
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| Rising Personal Debt Levels Among Australians: Insights from Canstar's 2025 Survey Thu, 11 Dec: Recent findings from a national survey conducted by financial comparison site Canstar reveal a concerning trend in Australia's personal debt landscape. While the proportion of Australians holding non-property-related personal debt has decreased, those who do carry such debt are facing higher average amounts. In 2025, the average personal debt has risen to $17,634, up from $15,179 in previous years. - read more
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| RBA Holds Interest Rates Steady, Warns of Potential Hikes Thu, 11 Dec: The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has maintained the cash rate at 3.6% during its final policy meeting of 2025, signaling a cautious approach amid persistent inflationary pressures. Governor Michele Bullock emphasized that while no immediate rate hikes were discussed, the possibility remains if inflation does not subside. - read more
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| Decline in Australian Business Conditions Reflects Capacity Challenges Thu, 11 Dec: In November, Australian business conditions experienced a downturn, with declines in sales and profits indicating potential cooling in consumer demand. The National Australia Bank (NAB) survey reported a drop in the business conditions index to +7, down three points from the previous month. Business confidence also fell by five points to +1, suggesting growing caution among businesses. - read more
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| Australian Household Spending Surge Signals Potential Rate Hikes Thu, 11 Dec: In October 2025, Australian household spending surged by 1.3% to A$78.4 billion, marking the largest monthly increase in nearly two years. This uptick, driven by heightened spending on clothing, electronics, and hospitality, pushed annual spending growth to 5.6%. - read more
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| Zone RV's Financial Woes: $40 Million Debt Revealed Thu, 11 Dec: The recent collapse of luxury caravan manufacturer Zone RV has sent shockwaves through the Australian caravan industry. The company, based in Coolum on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, has been revealed to owe approximately $40 million to creditors, leaving both customers and employees facing significant uncertainty. - read more
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| Crusader Caravans and BIG4 Holiday Parks Join Forces Thu, 11 Dec: In a strategic move to enhance the caravanning experience for Australians, Crusader Caravans has announced a partnership with BIG4 Holiday Parks. This collaboration aims to provide new caravan owners with a suite of exclusive benefits, enriching their travel adventures across the country. - read more
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| MONEYME and Snowy River Caravans Revolutionize Caravan Financing Thu, 11 Dec: In a significant development for the Australian caravan industry, digital lender MONEYME has partnered with Snowy River Caravans to offer direct-to-consumer financing through their secured vehicle loan product, Autopay. This exclusive 12-month deal aims to streamline the purchasing process for caravan enthusiasts by providing instant financing options. - read more
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| ASIC's Findings Highlight Urgent Need for Reform in Car Finance Lending Practices Thu, 11 Dec: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has recently unveiled findings from its comprehensive review of the motor vehicle finance sector, highlighting concerning trends that are likely to prompt a tightening of lending practices across the industry. - read more
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| Bank Australia's Bold Move: Phasing Out Loans for New Fossil Fuel Cars Thu, 11 Dec: In a significant shift towards environmental sustainability, Bank Australia has ceased offering car loans for new petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles as of February 2025. This policy change aligns with the bank's commitment to achieving carbon net-zero targets by 2035 and underscores its dedication to promoting electric vehicle (EV) adoption. - read more
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| ASIC Launches In-Depth Review of Motor Vehicle Finance Practices Thu, 11 Dec: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has commenced a thorough review of the motor vehicle finance sector, focusing on strengthening consumer protections and ensuring industry compliance with responsible lending obligations. This initiative aims to address potential risks and improve the experiences of borrowers across Australia. - read more
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| RBA Maintains Cash Rate at 3.60%, Hints at Future Increases Thu, 11 Dec: The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has decided to keep the cash rate steady at 3.60% during its final policy meeting of 2025. This decision comes amid rising inflation, which reached 3.8% in October, surpassing the RBA's target range of 2-3%. The central bank has indicated that if inflationary pressures persist, future rate hikes may be necessary. - read more
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| ASIC's Review Highlights Concerns in Car Finance Practices Thu, 11 Dec: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has conducted a comprehensive review of the motor vehicle finance sector, uncovering significant issues that raise concerns about responsible lending practices. The findings indicate that some consumers are being subjected to exorbitant fees and are defaulting on their loans shortly after approval. - read more
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