ACCC investigates petrol stations; unemployment jumps; airfares set to rise

Friday 20 March 2026 The National Cabinet establishes a fuel taskforce as the competition watchdog launches an investigation into the petrol companies.  The unemployment rate jumps to 4.3 per cent International airfares, having already risen, are set to go even higher The richest 250 Australians revealed Gas supplies targeted in the war in the Middle East Join our free daily newsletter here. And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? - this week: dream holiday, sensible budget. Get the episode from APPLE, SPOTIFY, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian businesses are under pressure — rising costs, tighter margins and the push to adopt AI.But many companies may be trying to solve the wrong problem - Instead of focusing on roles, they should be focusing on tasks, because much of the work being done today is unnecessary, duplicated, or simply too expensive. Jarra Borman is the Director of Strategy at consultancy Outrun Global. He speaks to Sean Aylmer about why businesses are “tanking their own capacity”, why employees spend just 27% of their time on skilled work, and how a simple shift in thinking can unlock major productivity gains.To find out more, Outrun's new guide: The Top 10 Tasks to Optimise for the Biggest Impact is available here.Outrun Global is a supporter of Fear & Greed.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the Fear & Greed Afternoon Report - everything you need to know about what happened in the markets, economy and world of business today, in just a few minutes. ASX falls 1.7pc  PM calls for Iran de-escalation US Fed keeps rates on hold Radio ratings Drones over US military base Join our free daily newsletter here.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday 19 March 2026 Two of Australia’s biggest companies BHP and Woodside Energy are getting new CEOs, adding to the growing list of recently appointed bosses of large companies on the ASX. PM Anthony Albanese says he is confident Australia can avoid a recession The federal government is set to appoint a new petrol czar The latest on the Middle East The world of shipping is turned upside down Join our free daily newsletter here. And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? - this week: dream holiday, sensible budget. Get the episode from APPLE, SPOTIFY, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Formula One sponsorship is much more than a logo on a car. It’s an opportunity to reach hundreds of millions of people - but only if you know how.In this special documentary episode, we’re exploring the business of sports partnerships with Airwallex and Airtasker.It’s part of Fear & Greed's Accelerator series this month, talking to ambitious Australian leaders taking their businesses to the world: Employment Hero, Camplify, EatClub and more - brought to you by Airwallex.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the Fear & Greed Afternoon Report - everything you need to know about what happened in the markets, economy and world of business today, in just a few minutes. ASX up 0.3pc Trump criticises allies ARN terminates Kyle Sandilands EV adoption higher in cities Warner Bros CEO’s monster payout Join our free daily newsletter here.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday 18 March 2026 The Reserve Bank has lifted interest rates, but it was a close call, and another rate hike in May is no longer a sure thing.  The competition regulator warns petrol stations over the price of fuel Australia heads towards a free trade deal with the EU The beneficial effects of medicinal cannabis questioned in a new study The extraordinary efforts Asian countries are going to, to conserve fuel Join our free daily newsletter here. And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? - this week: dream holiday, sensible budget. Get the episode from APPLE, SPOTIFY, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday the Reserve Bank increased the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.1 per cent. It’s the second rate hike in a row - but while last time the decision was unanimous, this time it was much closer, with the board split 5-4.Diana Mousina, Deputy Chief Economist at AMP, explains what that split means for the next RBA meeting in May, and the key factors that contributed to yesterday's rate hike.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the Fear & Greed Afternoon Report - everything you need to know about what happened in the markets, economy and world of business today, in just a few minutes. RBA hikes interest rates Challenger lowers Pepper Money bid Naveed Akram in court Atlassian facing action over sacked worker Trump to delay China meeting Join our free daily newsletter here.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday 17 March 2026 The ASX hits its lowest point this year, and the only big winners so far in 2026 have been energy companies.  The RBA is expected to announce a 25-basis point rate hike this afternoon Major lenders fighting what could be billions of dollars’ worth of fraudulent home loans The corporate regulator tells younger Australians to sense check the financial advice they are receiving online Donald Trump threatens NATO after allies decide not to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz Plus the next interview in our Accelerator series with Airwallex. Today’s guest: Pan Koutlakis, from EatClub, on spotting a niche and building a global business.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.