24NOW

28/07/2026

Australian retail giant Harvey Norman has been ordered to pay a $35 million penalty after being found to have misled customers over its 60-month interest-free payment advertising campaign.

The case, brought by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), involved advertisements that promoted no-deposit, interest-free purchases but failed to clearly disclose that customers were required to sign up for a credit card with additional establishment and ongoing monthly fees.

Customers who paid off purchases within the interest-free period could still face hundreds of dollars in fees under the finance arrangement.

Finance provider Latitude Finance Australia was also penalised, with a separate $20 million penalty. Both companies have been ordered to publish corrective advertising for 90 days.

Harvey Norman said it did not intend to mislead customers and apologised for the issue, promising to strengthen its compliance processes.

💬 Do you think companies should face tougher penalties for misleading financial advertising?

28/07/2026

Property developer Intaj Khan has built a significant presence in the land development sector, with projects reportedly reaching a combined $1.3 billion in Gross Realisation Value (GRV).

The milestone highlights the scale of growth in Australia’s property development market, where major land projects continue to shape new residential communities and investment opportunities.

Developers like Khan are playing a key role in delivering housing supply through large-scale land developments, particularly as demand for new communities continues to grow.

💬 What do you think about the future of large-scale property developments in Australia?

28/07/2026

Victoria has a new leader. Ben Carroll has been sworn in as the state’s 50th Premier after Jacinta Allan resigned following weeks of leadership pressure within the Victorian Labor Party.

In his first major announcement as Premier, Mr Carroll declared a new direction for the government and revealed plans to establish a Royal Commission into alleged corruption in the construction sector, including issues involving the union movement.

Mr Carroll said integrity would be a priority under his leadership, stating there would be "zero tolerance" for anyone misusing their position in business, politics, or unions.

The move comes after months of calls from business groups for an investigation into alleged corruption linked to the construction industry and government-funded infrastructure projects.

Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams has also been elected as Deputy Labor Leader, while Mr Carroll takes charge of the government ahead of the upcoming Victorian election.

💬 Will Ben Carroll’s leadership mark a new era for Victoria? Share your views.

28/07/2026

Former Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has announced her resignation, with Deputy Premier Ben Carroll set to take over the state's top job.

If Ms Allan decides to retire from politics after stepping down, she could be entitled to a taxpayer-funded parliamentary pension estimated at between $240,000 and $270,000 per year. She remains one of only two Victorian MPs still eligible for the state's legacy defined-benefit pension scheme, which closed to new members in 2004.

Her resignation comes amid growing political pressure within the Victorian Labor Party. In her farewell statement, Ms Allan said she chose to step aside to avoid further uncertainty ahead of the next state election, describing it as "the honour of my life" to serve as Premier.

💬 Do you think former politicians should continue receiving defined-benefit pensions after leaving office? Share your thoughts below.

07/04/2026

Some of the world’s biggest digital giants including Amazon and Microsoft are investing heavily in Melbourne’s western suburbs, transforming the region into Victoria’s tech capital.

This is why 👉 https://bit.ly/4cuCN4o

17/02/2026

For years, Melbourne’s property landscape has remained ‘unpopular’.

Now? Sentiment has shifted.

With investor demand softening, first-home buyers may finally be seeing:

✔ Less competition

✔ More realistic pricing

✔ Stronger negotiating power

Every market phase creates winners and losers.

Right now, the edge might be tilting toward first-time home owners.

Would you buy in Mel bourne in 2026 — or wait it out?

11/02/2026

40,000 Homes Promised. 895 Delivered.

The federal agency responsible for delivering 40,000 social and affordable rental homes has completed 895 dwellings in its first two years, which sits at about 2% of the total target.

With three years remaining, delivery timelines must accelerate significantly to meet the scale of this challenge.

09/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AyokWxWQi/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Melbourne has been named Australia’s best capital for first-home buyers. Experts offer tips on the best buying for $750,000 or less > https://bit.ly/4tjrjqR

04/02/2026

As rising house prices and cost-of-living pressures continue to bite, Bunnings has entered the chat with an innovative solution: DIY pod home kits.

Bunnings has partnered with a luxury tiny-home builder Elsewhere Pods, with DIY models starting from $42,900. It’s noted that the pods may not require a building permit and can be fully installed within two days time.

02/02/2026

A $801.5m deal secured by South Australia to build nearly 7,000 homes, specifically for people investing in their first home. This announcement comes in a timely manner considering the growing concern regarding Australia’s housing crisis.

The funding package includes a combination of concessional loans worth $534 million and Commonwealth grants sitting at $133.6 million. This project is designed to ease the pathway to owning a forever home for new buyers.

What are your thoughts on this initiative?