At a time when the major banks are facing the likelihood of more lending curbs, ING Direct has ambitions to grow mortgages. The CEO of ING Direct, Uday Sareen, speaks to Alicia.

The Australian share market rose despite a weak lead from Wall Street. Equities Analyst for Bell Direct, Julia Lee speaks to Alicia.

The superannuation industry of which the banks are a major part is generating billions of dollar from disability insurance on which casual workers have virtually no hope of making a successful claim. It's a major issue in an economy where nearly a quarter of the workers are now casual.

Markets have rallied on US President Trump's pledge to splurge a trillion dollars on infrastructure.

Martin Feldstein has been the economic advisor to presidents Ronald Reagan, George W Bush and Barack Obama. He is now President Emeritus of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

He speaks to Elysse from Harvard where he is Professor of Economics.

With the Federal Government struggling in the polls, the budget is shaping up as Malcolm Turnbull's last chance to revive his flagging fortunes.

Treasurer Scott Morrison is pinning the government's hopes on addressing housing affordability.

Just days after warnings that Australia is facing a looming gas shortage, the Prime Minister's gas crisis summit has pledged a guarantee on domestic supplies.

Malcolm Turnbull says he's secured an agreement from the gas majors to boost supply to the Australian market, to help prevent power shortages.

The CEO of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, Malcolm Roberts, speaks to Elysse.

The Australian share market ended where it began. An early rally on mining stocks was wiped out by selling in the major banks. Marcus Padley From Marcus Today speaks to Elysse.

The Queensland Premier and a delegation of mayors are in India this week, lobbying the Adani group to give the green light to one of the world's biggest coal mines.

If the project does go ahead, the Adani group will be able to shift up to $3 billion in revenue from the Carmichael Mine into a company ultimately owned in the Cayman Islands.

It's the outcome of what one critic calls a "third world pyramid structure" that allows the family-controlled Adani group to shift assets at will.

South Australia has unveiled a blueprint it says will guarantee no more blackouts for the state. South Australia's energy minister, Tom Koutsantonis, speaks to Elysse.

As the farming economy surges in value there are growing concerns about the outlook for global trade.

The country's big earners, wheat, wool and beef are nervous about a potential rise of protectionism. The burgeoning fruit and vegetable growers say red tape is tying up valuable export deals.