Tariffs and regulation of tech giants are already causing friction. But one of his biggest tasks may be convincing Australians the US alliance still matters.

By Stella Qiu SYDNEY, Sept 24 (Reuters) - For decades, whenever house prices in Australia fell, the central bank rode to the rescue with rate cuts to shore up economic demand and keep households spending.

The reasons for this are, as with Australia’s mineral riches, mostly the result of good fortune. But its government wants to make sure that this boom lasts. This month senior Australian officials stopped off in San Francisco to woo American AI labs.

- **Participation rate increase**: Australia's participation rate moved higher, reflecting more people entering or re‑entering the workforce. - **Labour market tension**: Growing labour supply alongside slower full-time hiring has lifted unemployment and ...

Australia’s defense minister said Tuesday that F-35 fighter jet parts had been mistakenly diverted to Hong Kong, following reports US lawmakers were investigating the mishap amid concerns about the possibility of China getting access to sensitive US military technology.

Scientists warn it’s just a “postcard” from a climate-crisis-altered future.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers is conducting a hard sell of the report, concerned that Australian officials and voters are too focused on short-term thinking, and that by operating in partisan information bubbles, are losing the ability to think and work collectively on long-term challenges.

Australia has announced phased visa rule changes for students, visitors, skilled workers and working holiday makers, with tougher compliance and priority processing for key sectors.