| NAB's Business Lending Surges by 7% Annually Thu, 26 Feb: National Australia Bank (NAB) has reported a significant 7% year-on-year growth in its business lending portfolio, bringing the total to $336.2 billion. This growth underscores NAB's commitment to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Australia. - read more
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| CBA's Business Lending Hits $168 Billion Mark Thu, 26 Feb: The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has announced a substantial 12% increase in its business lending portfolio, reaching $168 billion in the first half of 2026. This growth rate exceeds the bank's compound annual growth rate of 10.7%, indicating a strong performance in the business lending sector. - read more
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| RBA's Cash Rate Hike to 3.85%: Implications for SMEs Thu, 26 Feb: The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has raised the official cash rate by 0.25 percentage points to 3.85%, marking the first increase in over two years. This decision, driven by persistent inflationary pressures, has significant implications for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country. - read more
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| Harley-Davidson's Q4 2025 Financial Results Reflect Tariff Impact Thu, 26 Feb: Harley-Davidson, the renowned American motorcycle manufacturer, has reported a significant financial loss for the fourth quarter of 2025. The company announced a diluted earnings per share (EPS) loss of $2.44, a stark contrast to analyst expectations, leading to a 4.17% decline in premarket share value to $19.30, nearing its 52-week low. - read more
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| New South Wales Enforces Stricter Regulations on Illegal E-Bikes Thu, 26 Feb: In a decisive move to enhance public safety and address community concerns, the New South Wales (NSW) Government has introduced new legislation empowering police to seize and destroy illegal electric bicycles (e-bikes) that exceed prescribed power limits. This initiative, announced by NSW Transport Minister John Graham, aims to curb the proliferation of modified e-bikes that pose risks to both riders and pedestrians. - read more
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| Australian Motorcycle Sales Experience Modest Decline in 2025 Thu, 26 Feb: The Australian motorcycle market faced a slight downturn in 2025, with total sales decreasing by 1.3% compared to the previous year. According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), 92,967 motorcycles and off-highway vehicles were sold throughout the year, reflecting ongoing economic pressures on discretionary spending. - read more
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| Federal Court Denies Truck Driver's Insurance Claim Appeal Thu, 26 Feb: In a recent legal development, the Federal Court of Australia dismissed an appeal by a logging truck driver, Mr. Bradley Henschke, concerning his insurance claim through the Australian Retirement Trust. The case, Henschke v Australian Retirement Trust [2026] FCA 80, highlights the critical importance of understanding the specifics of insurance coverage within superannuation accounts. - read more
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| NTARC Report: Inattention and Speed Major Factors in Truck Accidents Thu, 26 Feb: The National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) has released its 2025 Major Incident Investigation Report, shedding light on the primary human factors contributing to significant truck crashes across Australia. The findings emphasize the critical roles of inattention, distraction, and inappropriate speed in these incidents, underscoring the necessity for targeted safety interventions within the transport industry. - read more
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| ICA Unveils Strategy to Combat Rising Motor Insurance Premiums Thu, 26 Feb: The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has released a comprehensive report titled 'Motor Insurance Policy Paper – A Roadmap for Reducing Rising Premiums,' addressing the significant 42% increase in comprehensive motor insurance premiums since 2019. This surge has brought the average annual premium to $1,052 in 2024, prompting the need for coordinated action to alleviate the financial burden on consumers. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Leverage AI for Operational Excellence Thu, 26 Feb: The Australian insurance sector is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Insurers are leveraging AI to enhance operational efficiency, improve customer service, and refine risk management practices, positioning themselves as data-driven, digital-first organisations. - read more
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| IAG's NextGen Ambition Program: A Gateway for High School Graduates into Insurance Thu, 26 Feb: Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has launched the second iteration of its NextGen Ambition Program, an initiative designed to provide high school graduates with a unique opportunity to fast-track their careers in the insurance industry without the need for a university degree. - read more
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| Australian Sharemarket Approaches Record Highs with Banking Sector Surge Thu, 26 Feb: The Australian sharemarket is on the brink of achieving a new record high, driven predominantly by a robust performance in the banking sector. The S&P/ASX 200 Index recently climbed 1.2%, closing at 8520.70, just shy of its all-time peak of 8532.30. This upward momentum reflects renewed investor confidence, particularly in financial stocks. - read more
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| Australian Dollar Hits Year-High Following US Dollar Weakness Thu, 26 Feb: The Australian dollar has recently achieved a year-high, trading at US70¢, as the US dollar experiences a decline. This development is largely attributed to the United States negotiating new trade agreements, which have influenced global currency markets. - read more
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| News Corp Achieves 3% Revenue Growth in Recent Quarter Thu, 26 Feb: News Corporation has reported a 3% increase in revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2024, reaching $2.59 billion. This growth is primarily driven by strong performances in the Digital Real Estate Services, Dow Jones, and Book Publishing segments. - read more
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| Victoria's Unit Market Set to Outperform Houses in 2026 Thu, 26 Feb: Victoria's unit market is projected to experience substantial growth in 2026, potentially outpacing the price increases observed in the housing sector. Data from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria indicates that from October to December 2025, the median price of Melbourne units rose by 2% to $656,500, surpassing the 1.8% growth seen in house prices during the same period. - read more
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| Interest Rate Increases Poised to Temper Property Price Growth in 2026 Thu, 26 Feb: As 2026 approaches, the Australian property market is expected to experience a slowdown in price growth due to anticipated interest rate hikes. According to ABC News, Cotality's national Home Value Index rose by 0.8% in January 2026, with mid-sized capital cities leading the gains. However, the pace of growth is projected to decelerate as the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) considers increasing interest rates to address rising inflation. - read more
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| Australian Property Prices Set to Reach New Heights in 2026 Thu, 26 Feb: Recent analyses indicate that Australian property prices are poised to reach unprecedented levels in 2026, presenting significant challenges for first-home buyers. According to a report by ABC News, Domain forecasts that median house prices in Sydney could rise by 7% to $1.83 million by June 2026, while Melbourne's median house price is expected to increase by 6% to $1.1 million. - read more
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| Federal Court Denies Truck Driver's Insurance Appeal Wed, 25 Feb: In a recent legal development, the Federal Court of Australia dismissed an appeal by Bradley Henschke, a logging truck driver, concerning his insurance claim against the Australian Retirement Trust. The court's decision, delivered on February 12, 2026, underscores the critical importance of active insurance coverage for workers in high-risk occupations. - read more
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| Heightened Road Risks Amid Holiday Freight Traffic Surge Wed, 25 Feb: As the Australian summer holidays approach, insurers and transport specialists are raising alarms about increased road risks due to the convergence of peak freight activity and heightened passenger vehicle travel. This period traditionally sees a surge in both freight movements and family road trips, leading to congested roads and a higher potential for accidents. - read more
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| InfoAgent Launches Advanced Vehicle Data Services for Heavy Trucks Wed, 25 Feb: Australian vehicle data provider InfoAgent has unveiled two innovative services designed to deliver accurate and detailed information for heavy commercial trucks and trailers. These services aim to address critical challenges in industries such as insurance, roadside assistance, fleet management, and logistics by simplifying processes and enabling better decision-making. - read more
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| Rising Insurance Premiums: A Growing Concern for Australians Wed, 25 Feb: In recent times, Australian consumers have been grappling with substantial increases in insurance premiums, prompting widespread concern and scrutiny. Reports indicate that some policyholders have experienced premium hikes ranging from 30% to 50%, with certain cases witnessing even more significant surges. This trend has raised questions about the affordability and transparency of insurance pricing in the country. - read more
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| Navigating the Surge in Insurance Risks for Australian Businesses Wed, 25 Feb: Australian businesses are currently grappling with a complex landscape of escalating insurance risks, driven by factors such as increased litigation, rapid technological advancements, supply chain disruptions, catastrophic events, and geopolitical tensions. These challenges necessitate a proactive approach to risk management and insurance coverage. - read more
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| The Delicate Balance: Australian Insurance Industry's Response to Rising Costs Wed, 25 Feb: The Australian insurance industry is currently navigating a delicate balancing act, striving to maintain profitability amidst rising claims costs while ensuring that insurance remains affordable for consumers. This challenge is compounded by factors such as increased natural disasters, inflationary pressures, and evolving regulatory requirements. - read more
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| Volvo and Linfox Pave the Way for Australian-Made Electric Trucks Wed, 25 Feb: In a groundbreaking development for Australia's transport sector, Volvo Group Australia has announced plans to manufacture the nation's first heavy-duty electric trucks at its Wacol facility in Brisbane. This initiative is part of a significant collaboration with logistics giant Linfox, which has placed an order for 30 of these innovative vehicles. - read more
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| CEFC and Volvo Join Forces to Fast-Track Electric Truck Adoption in Australia Wed, 25 Feb: In a significant move towards sustainable transportation, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has partnered with Volvo Group Australia to introduce a $70 million financing package aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric trucks across the nation. This initiative is designed to address financial barriers that have traditionally hindered the uptake of electric heavy vehicles. - read more
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