A major accounting firm says a hiring freeze has hit the Australian private sector, as economists raise a recession warning signal.Santos posted a 19% drop in half-year net profit but its boss CEO Kevin Gallagher says gas and LNG will be in demand for decades to come and beyond the 2050 net zero target.IAG's CEO Nick Hawkins says there are a lot of factors impacting insurance premiums. The cost of materials and construction has led to higher premiums.
Australians will soon have the right to switch off after hours — but it might not shift our 'excessive' work culture ASX closes up 0.1pc as Lend Lease posted $1.5b loss and Booktopia rescued from administration — as it happened RBA governor Michele Bullock has doubled down on previous comments that interest rate cuts are unlikely in the near term at a parliamentary hearing in Canberra, while the Australian share market closed higher after a surge on Wall Street. Look back at how the day's events unfolded.