Australia’s consumer sentiment slipped into “deeply pessimistic” territory as households struggle with cost of living pressures and concerns emerge over the outlook for the housing market following tax changes.

Australia’s industrial relations umpire raised national minimum wage rates by 4.75%, just shy of the Reserve Bank’s inflation forecast, citing uncertainty over the economy’s trajectory.

Australia’s populist One Nation party surged past the ruling Labor party to lead a nationwide opinion poll for the first time, highlighting voter disappointment with last month’s budget and reinforcing signs of a fracturing of the conservative side of politics.

US and Israeli jets struck Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and other targets, hours after President Donald Trump had suggested negotiations with Tehran over an interim deal were progressing.

New Zealand intends to spend about NZ$1.6 billion ($936 million) on drones, ship maintenance and naval upgrades to bolster the island nation’s maritime security at a time of increasing concern about supply routes.

New Zealand intends to spend about NZ$1.6 billion ($936 million) on drones, ship maintenance and naval upgrades to bolster the island nation’s maritime security at a time of increasing concern about supply routes.

New Zealand intends to spend about NZ$1.6 billion ($936 million) on drones, ship maintenance and naval upgrades to bolster the island nation’s maritime security at a time of increasing concern about supply routes.

Australia’s central bank said raising interest rates for a third consecutive meeting would give the board scope to monitor how households and firms respond to the impact of the conflict in the Middle East that has sent fuel prices surging.

Australia is set to sign a multibillion-dollar contract to buy advanced naval frigates from Japan, sealing a deal that will help modernize its navy, boost Tokyo’s ambitions of becoming a major player in the global defense market and deepen security ties between the two countries.

Australia is set to sign a multibillion-dollar contract to buy advanced naval frigates from Japan, sealing a deal that will help modernize its navy, boost Tokyo’s ambitions of becoming a major player in the global defense market and deepen security ties between the two countries.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim signaled that Malaysia could play a role in ending the conflict in the Middle East, saying leaders from Gulf states have used his country as a channel to Iran’s leadership.

Australia will raise defense spending to 3% of gross domestic product by 2033, Defense Minister Richard Marles said, including increased outlays on drones as it responds to rising conflict globally and China’s military buildup.

Australia will raise defense spending to 3% of gross domestic product by 2033, Defense Minister Richard Marles said, including increased outlays on drones as it responds to rising conflict globally and China’s military buildup.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will make his second visit to Southeast Asia in less than a week as he tries to shore up fuel supplies against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz.

Australia’s central bank said local households and firms are broadly well placed to cope with recent interest-rate increases and surging fuel prices from the escalating Middle East conflict, while highlighting the potential for an unexpected shock as a result of elevated international risk.

Australia’s central bank Governor Michele Bullock said judging the economy is “a little bit more difficult” now than in previous periods when it was raising interest rates, reinforcing her cautious policy stance.

Australia’s central bank Governor Michele Bullock said judging the economy is “a little bit more difficult” now than in previous periods when it was raising interest rates, reinforcing her cautious policy stance.

Australia’s new Liberal opposition leader Angus Taylor unveiled his shadow ministry on Tuesday with fresh faces in key portfolios ranging from treasury to defense as he seeks to reverse a slide in the fortunes of the center-right Coalition.

Australia’s home-price growth decelerated in December and the two biggest markets edged lower, as the risk of renewed interest-rate hikes weighed on both sentiment and the outlook for property in the year ahead.

Australia’s home-price growth decelerated in December and the two biggest markets edged lower, as the risk of renewed interest-rate hikes weighed on both sentiment and the outlook for property in the year ahead.