Electricity prices are surging, so Origin Energy is offering small discounts to its Queensland and South Australia customers, and a price freeze for NSW and ACT — despite its double-digit price hike last year.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce says the company intends to meet Beijing's request and change the way it refers to Taiwan on its website, listing it as a Chinese territory and not an independent nation.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce says the company intends to meet Beijing's request and change the way it refers to Taiwan on its website, listing it as a Chinese territory and not an independent nation.

A boost in sales from the hospitality industry helped the retail sector, while mining profits were boosted by higher commodity prices.

A boost in sales from the hospitality industry helped the retail sector, while mining profits were boosted by higher commodity prices.