World shares have inched higher, buoyed by US President Donald Trump’s promise of a first trade deal in his global tariff war – tipped to be Britain – while the dollar gained as markets pushed out the chance of near-term Fed rate cuts.

Traders were also limbering up for an expected Bank of England quarter-point rate cut later on Thursday.

Sweden and Norway had already left their rates steady, but both hinted at future cuts given all the global uncertainty.

Europe’s main stock markets opened higher, led by a one per cent rise from Germany’s export-heavy DAX and a 0.3 per cent gain for London’s FTSE, plus a similar lift for sterling against the euro, on the trade deal signals.

US President Donald Trump posted on social media that he would hold an Oval Office media conference on a “major trade deal with representatives of a big, and highly respected, country”.

Wall Street futures were up nearly one per cent, too, but economists are eager to see the deal’s details later and whether the baseline 10 per cent tariff Trump has slapped on all countries up until now can be negotiated away.

Investors are also anxiously awaiting planned talks between US and Chinese officials in Switzerland on Saturday, which could mark the first step in dialling down the damaging trade war between the world’s top two economies.

Markets were still digesting the Federal Reserve’s decision to leave US interest rates in the 4.25 per cent to 4.5 per cent range for a third straight meeting and its warning that the stagflationary risks of higher inflation and higher unemployment had risen.

Chair Jerome Powell said the Fed was still in “a good place” in terms of its policy, given that it was not clear if the US economy would continue its steady growth or wilt under mounting uncertainty and a possible spike in inflation.

In the bond markets, 10-year US Treasury yields edged up 2 bps at 4.29 per cent, while Germany’s 10-year yield – the euro area’s benchmark – also rose fractionally to 2.48 per cent.

The Fed’s wait-and-see message also gave the dollar index a lift.

After a brief wobble in Asia, it regained traction to sit 0.5 per cent higher in Europe at just above the psychological 100 points threshold.

Trade deal hopes also saw Britain’s pound climb as much as 0.5 per cent, although it eased back slightly to $US1.3315 as the focus turned to the Bank of England’s widely expected quarter-point rate cut later.

Overnight in Asia, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan had ended down 0.3 per cent while Japan’s Nikkei gained 0.4 per cent and Chinese blue chips rose 0.5 per cent as they continued to recover ground lost since Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs last month.

Wall Street had seen a late rally too after reports that the Trump administration was planning to rescind and modify a Joe Biden-era rule that curbed the export of sophisticated artificial-intelligence chips.

Nvidia shares jumped 3 per cent although Google’s parent firm Alphabet suffered a 7.2 per cent tumble on reports that Apple is readying a new artificial-intelligence enhanced web browser.

In commodities markets, the brighter trade deal sentiment lifted oil prices after they had fallen more than $US1 on Wednesday. US crude futures rose 0.7 per cent to $US58.50 a barrel while Brent was at $US61.50 per barrel, up 0.6 per cent on the day.

Gold prices rose 0.3 per cent to $US3,374.5 an ounce amid the uncertainties about Fed policy outlook, but still short of its record high of $US3,500.

Woodside’s annual general meeting has been disrupted by noisy protesters furious about a perceived lack of progress on climate change.

The oil and gas giant’s chief executive Meg O’Neill tried to drown out protesters with repeated promotional and sponsorship videos, as the activists blew high-pitched sport whistles during her opening remarks.

“We are not inclined to tolerate disruptions. We’re happy to field your questions, though we’ve got plenty of those videos,” Ms O’Neill told the meeting.

“Let’s show that (Fremantle) Dockers video again.”

The chief asked to cut to the promotional videos several times as protesters were removed.

“Well, I wish folks would have watched that video, because it really illustrates the point we’re trying to make,” Ms O’Neill said.

Woodside chair Richard Goyder later interrupted and called an end to questions on climate issues from environmental groups and concerned shareholders.

“I reckon we’ve given environmental issues a really good go today, so I’m not proposing to take any questions on that,” Mr Goyder said.

“Are there any questions from general retail shareholders in the room?”

In his opening address, Mr Goyder defended Woodside’s sustainability goals.

“We have not walked back from our climate targets and commitments,” he said.

“As outlined in our 2024 climate update, we are making good progress towards the targets we have set.” 

The Conservation Council of WA called the move to cut off environmental questions “a slap in the face to shareholders and West Australians”.

“The lack of transparency and accountability reflected Woodside’s complete disregard for the growing tide of community push-back against its ongoing pursuit of new gas developments and poor environmental track record,” executive director Matt Roberts said.

Almost 20 per cent of shareholders voted against the re-election of director Ann Pickard, who is also chair of Woodside’s sustainability committee.

Just over 15 per cent voted against the adoption of the renumeration report. 

The pattern of investor dissent indicated a serious governance problem at Woodside, Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility lead analyst Alex Hillman said.

“It is time for Ann Pickard to step aside as chair of the sustainability committee – not only does she not have the support of nearly 20 per cent of investors, but she has overseen two climate plans that have failed to win the support of investors,” Mr Hillman said. 

“Alarmingly though, looking at the current board it is hard to see a director sufficiently qualified to take on this critical leadership role … which speaks to the weakness of this Woodside board on managing climate risk.”

Multiple environmental groups, proxy advisors and larger investors had called for shareholders to oppose Ms Pickard’s re-election.

Ms Pickard said the sustainability chair role wasn’t “the most popular job” and noted it would be her last term on the board.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been involved in climate change impact assessments,” she told the meeting.

“That’s one of the reasons I’ve been a big supporter of liquefied natural gas, as I see gas as a superb fuel to help transition us to a non-carbon world in the future and in the community.”

Market Forces senior analyst Brett Morgan said some investors had shown conviction by opposing Woodside’s growth strategy.

“Others are falling for corporate greenwash and failing to pressure the company to rein in its rampant expansion plans,” he said.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific chief executive David Ritter called on shareholders to reject Woodside’s plans to drill in Scott Reef off Western Australia’s coast.

He said it would turn the reef into an industrial gas zone, threatening nesting sea turtles and endangered pygmy blue whales.

In April, Woodside announced it would forge ahead with a $US17.5 billion ($A27.2 billion) Louisiana liquefied natural gas project, which it said would not impact its greenhouse gas emissions targets.

Enough wind, solar and batteries to power 2.7 millions of homes at peak generation have been given the go-ahead to connect to new power lines.

Clean energy and storage projects totalling more than 7.15 gigawatts capacity have been granted access to the renewable energy zone in NSW’s central west.

The agreements are enough to power more than half the homes in Australia’s most populous state by 2031, during peak periods, as it winds down dependence on coal.

NSW Climate Change and Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said the Central-West Orana renewable energy zone connections would secure billions of dollars of private investment.

“By unlocking new renewable capacity and enhancing battery storage, we are making our power grid more reliable and putting downward pressure on bills.”

Governments identify zones for big renewables projects to plan efficiently for the poles and wires needed to transport the electricity to homes and businesses.

Projects must have access rights before they can connect to transmission infrastructure.

NSW Nationals leader Dugald Saunders said the new connections “miss the mark”.

“It’s all well and good to acknowledge 10 projects have now got an access agreement. But there’s no recognition of the dozens of other projects in the region that don’t, and which continue to cause anger and unrest,” he said.

He said there were somewhere between 50 and 60 projects proposed for the Central-West Orana renewable energy zone and most of those were looking at tapping into existing powerlines.

“The cumulative impact is not being taken into consideration in any way, shape, or form by this government,” he said.

Clean energy proponents celebrated Thursday’s announcement, which followed a resounding election win for Federal Labor committed to chasing its 82 per cent renewable energy target.

Climate Councillor and energy expert Greg Bourne said NSW was making progress on its energy transition by strategically building out connections between projects and transmission infrastructure via renewable energy zones. 

“Growing our wind and solar generation capacity is integral to fortifying Australia’s energy mix as polluting coal use declines,” he said.

NSW’s biggest power station, the Origin Energy-owned 2.88-gigawatt Eraring plant, was set to close this year but that was delayed for two years under a deal with the state government to avoid potential power shortages and price spikes.

The latest numbers from the Australian Energy Market Operator had renewables contributing 43 per cent of energy mix to the main grid in the first three months of 2025, up from 39 per cent over same period in 2024.

Shares in Australia’s fourth-largest bank have fallen after its first-half earnings missed investor expectations.

ANZ posted a cash profit of $3.6 billion, which was flat on the previous corresponding period, on the back of a five per cent jump in revenue to almost $11 billion.

Shares in the big four bank had fallen 2.1 per cent to $29.34 by mid-afternoon, as investors responded to the results by hitting the sell button.

Outgoing chief executive Shayne Elliott played up the result, which in percentage terms has topped its rivals Westpac and National Australia Bank.

“As I hand over to our incoming CEO Nuno Matos, the bank is well placed for the future,” he said on Thursday.

“Our strong balance sheet, along with our diversified portfolio, leaves the bank well placed to navigate ongoing volatility.”

The bank posted cash earnings per share of 120.1 cents, a 13 per cent improvement on the equivalent 2024 half and a 10.2 per cent return on equity as it announced an 83-cent dividend, 70 per cent franked.

ANZ’s results for the first time included the earnings of Suncorp Bank, which it bought in July.

ANZ said it now has more than one million customers, with deposits of more than $20 billion.

KPMG analysis of Australia’s major banks found they reported a combined profit after tax of $15.5 billion, up 3.5 per cent compared with the first half of 2024, and up 4.3 per cent on the previous half.

The results indicated the big four’s steady performance, KPMG Australia’s banking and capital markets head David Heathcote said.

“While profits and revenue continue to grow, the results demonstrate the challenge faced by the majors of ongoing competition amongst themselves and other lending institutions together with operating cost pressures,” he said.

The big four’s $22.7 billion in operating expenses had increased by 6.2 per cent compared with the first half of 2024 and 2.9 per cent compared with the second half, due mostly to personnel and technology expenses, KPMG said.

ANZ chief Mr Elliott stressed the “future of global conditions is uncertain and there will continue to be periods of increased volatility”.

His warning mimicked those made by the chief executives of Westpac and NAB earlier this week.

The uncertainty is being driven by the United States, after President Donald Trump imposed large tariffs on goods imports from countries around the world, including Australia, sparking threats of retaliation.

The unpredictable way the Trump administration is managing its punitive tariffs regime has sparked warnings by major American investment banks about a US and subsequent global recession.

Westpac on Monday posted a one per cent fall in first-half earnings to $3.3 billion. National Australia Bank delivered interim earnings of $3.6 billion, up one per cent, on Wednesday.

ANZ ‘s first-half dividend of 83 cents per share comes up against 76 cents for Westpac and 85 cents for NAB.

Oil and gas producer Woodside’s annual general meeting has been disrupted by noisy protesters amid scrutiny over the company’s environmental record.

Chief executive and managing director Meg O’Neill deferred to promotional and sponsorship videos as protesters repeatedly blew high-pitched sport whistles during her opening remarks for Woodside’s AGM at Crown Towers in Perth.

“Look, as Richard said, we are not inclined to tolerate disruptions. We’re happy to field your questions, though we’ve got plenty of those videos,” Ms O’Neill told the meeting.

“Let’s show that (Fremantle) Dockers video again.”

The chief asked to cut to the promotional videos several times as protesters were removed.

“Well, I wish folks would have watched that video, because it really illustrates the point we’re trying to make,” Ms O’Neill said.

Chair Richard Goyder heaped wry criticism on the activists when he took the stand ahead of shareholder votes.

“I trust those who disrupted the meeting had their lights and air conditioning and pool filters and everything else off at 6.30pm on the 20th of January this year,” he said.

The chair was referring to a record heatwave in summer that caused a massive spike in energy demand, and LNG to become the primary source of electricity supply.

“No doubt, they’ll all be walking home, so you might want to give them a lift,” he said.

Almost 20 per cent of shareholders voted against the re-election of director Ann Pickard, who is also chair of Woodside’s sustainability committee.

Multiple environmental groups, proxy advisors and larger investors had called for shareholders to vote against keeping Ms Pickard on the board.

“Given the ongoing pattern of significant shareholder opposition to the company’s climate strategy, we would expect a more robust response from both management and the board,” proxy advisory services company Glass Lewis wrote in a paper on Woodside.

Ms Pickard said the sustainability chair role wasn’t “the most popular job”, and noted it would be her last term on the board.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been involved in climate change impact assessments,” she told the meeting.

“That’s one of the reasons I’ve been a big supporter of liquefied natural gas, as I see gas as a superb fuel to help transition us to a non-carbon world in the future and in the community.”

Market Forces senior analyst Brett Morgan said most investors had failed to pressure the company on its climate plan.

“Some investors have demonstrated conviction by opposing Woodside’s polluting oil and gas growth strategy but others are falling for corporate greenwash and failing to pressure the company to rein in its rampant expansion plans,” he said.

“Most Australians want real climate action and it’s high time all of our super funds demand an end to Woodside’s dangerous oil and gas expansion plans.”

Greenpeace Australia Pacific chief executive David Ritter was calling on shareholders to reject Woodside’s plans to drill in Scott Reef off West Australia’s coast.

“Woodside’s planned Browse gas field would entail drilling up to 50 wells as close as two kilometres from Scott Reef, home to nesting sea turtles, endangered pygmy blue whales and dusky sea snakes.

“Woodside wants to turn Scott Reef into an industrial gas zone.”

In April, Woodside announced it would forge ahead with a $US17.5 billion ($A27.2 billion) Louisiana liquefied natural gas project, which it said would not impact its greenhouse gas emissions targets.

Two senior ministers are expected to lose their positions in a new-look lineup as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warns Labor MPs against focusing too heavily on themselves.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus is set to be axed by his Victorian right faction colleagues in favour of Sam Rae, a key ally of Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.

Industry Minister Ed Husic is also on the chopping block to rebalance the ledger between Victoria and NSW.

Labor’s ministry and cabinet are carved up between the states and the left and right factions, based on their proportion of seats.

The more progressive left, from which Mr Albanese hails, has edged ahead of the right after the election, with more of its candidates winning seats.

But the ministry quota system has sparked an internal fight between Victorians and their NSW counterparts as the former want an extra seat at the table.

New blood in the ministry will likely include Tim Ayres from NSW and Ged Kearney and Daniel Mulino from Victoria.

Labor will hold its first caucus on Friday and the new-look cabinet is expected to be sworn in on Tuesday.

Mr Albanese says Labor must approach its second term with humility and solidarity.

“No individual is greater than the collective and that includes myself,” he told Sky News on Thursday.

“When you’re focused inwards, the electorate will mark you down.”

The Liberals and Greens also need to endorse new leaders with Peter Dutton voted out and Adam Bandt projected to lose his seat.

Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor and deputy leader Sussan Ley are locked in a numbers battle for the Liberal leadership.

Party warrior and ex-Victorian premier Jeff Kennett has backed Ms Ley, saying the Liberals need a woman in the top job.

“She has experience, she’s been a loyal deputy but it’s time for the Liberal party to have a different perspective on life and that I think would come through a female,” he told ABC radio on Thursday.

Mr Kennett also slammed the coalition election campaign.

“The nicest word I could use would be disappointing – it could be a lot more extreme,” he said.

Former opposition leader Mr Dutton, who lost his seat of Dickson in Queensland, arrived in Canberra on Wednesday to clear out his parliamentary office.

He has so far refused to weigh in on his replacement, saying it was best that former leaders “maintain a graceful silence”.

Regardless of the Liberal leader, the shadow cabinet makeup is likely to remain the same despite concerns the Nationals could be forced to demote a member due to the new balance of seats within the coalition.

The junior coalition partner makes up about one-third of the party room and while some seats are too close to call, they retain most of their members after a string of Liberal losses.

This means the Nationals are likely to keep their seven shadow cabinet spots and maintain their influence in key policy areas, after being previously over-represented.

The Nationals will also need to find a new deputy leader, with Perin Davey set to lose her NSW Senate spot.

No one has officially announced a tilt, but NSW MP Kevin Hogan and senators Bridget McKenzie and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price have been raised as potential deputies.

Nationals MPs will hold a caucus meeting in Canberra on Monday but a date is yet to be set for the Liberals meeting, with more than half a dozen seats too close to call.

Nationals leader David Littleproud retained his seat but needs to be endorsed again as the party spills all leadership roles after each election.

He is expected to keep his job.

Shares in Asia firmed on Thursday after US President Donald Trump flagged a first trade deal in his global tariff war, while the dollar tried to hold overnight gains as markets pushed out the chance of near-term rate cuts.

S&P 500 futures erased earlier losses to be up 0.5 per cent while Nasdaq futures rose 0.7 per cent. The pan-European STOXX 600 index climbed 0.7 per cent and FTSE futures gained 0.5 per cent.

Trump said late on Wednesday he would announce details about a major trade deal with an unspecified country at a press conference later in the day. The New York Times reported that the deal was with Britain.

The president’s comments came as investors anxiously await planned trade talks between Washington and Beijing on Saturday, which could mark the first step in resolving a potentially damaging trade war between the world’s top two economies.

Markets are also keeping their eyes peeled on the Bank of England’s policy meeting later in the day where expectations are for a quarter-point rate cut. Additionally, central banks in Sweden and Norway are due to deliver their latest policy decisions, although no moves are expected.

Overnight, in a widely expected decision, the Federal Reserve left policy rate in the 4.25 per cent-4.5 per cent range, but said the risks of higher inflation and unemployment had risen. Chair Jerome Powell said it isn’t clear if the economy will continue its steady pace of growth, or wilt under mounting uncertainty and a possible coming spike in inflation.

Markets scaled back the chance of a June rate cut to just 20 per cent, from 30 per cent a day earlier, while a move in July is now priced at 70 per cent, compared with a near-certainty just a week ago.

“This suggests little inclination to move until they are confident of the direction the data is heading, meaning rate cuts could be delayed, but risk being sharper when they come,” said James Knightley, chief international economist at ING.

Such a scenario likely weighed on the longer-dated Treasury yields, with the benchmark ten-year yields down 7 basis points overnight at 4.275 per cent. Two-year yields held steady at 3.785 per cent.

The hawkish Fed also gave the dollar a much needed bounce, although some selling pressure was again evident in morning trade in Asia. The dollar index slipped 0.1 per cent to 99.803, having rebounded 0.3 per cent overnight against its major peers.

On Thursday, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was flat while Japan’s Nikkei edged up 0.2 per cent.

Both Chinese blue chips and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.4 per cent, building on the gains from Wednesday when Beijing announced a rate cut and more cash for the banking system.

Overnight on Wall Street, stocks rose on reports that the Trump administration was planning to rescind and modify a Biden-era rule that curbed the export of sophisticated artificial-intelligence chips. Nvidia shares jumped 3.0 per cent.

On Wednesday, Trump suggested that Beijing initiated upcoming senior-level trade talks and said he was not willing to cut US tariffs on Chinese goods to get Beijing to the negotiating table.

China has said earlier that it was the US side that had signalled a desire to hold talks.

While Trump’s comments underlined the recent mixed signals from Washington on de-escalating the Sino-US trade war, analysts say the Geneva meeting could help ease tensions.

“The rest of the week will likely see investors cautiously, if not slightly auspiciously, awaiting trade talks between the US and China,” said Kyle Rodda, a senior analyst at Capital.com.

In commodities markets, oil prices bounced after falling more than $US1 ($A1.60) on Wednesday. US crude futures rose 0.5 per cent to $US58.34 ($A90.77) a barrel while Brent was at $US61.34 ($A95.43) per barrel, up 0.4 per cent on the day.

In precious metals, gold prices rallied 0.7 per cent to $US3,390 ($A5,274) an ounce amid the uncertainties about Fed policy outlook, but still short of its record high of $US3,500 ($A5,445).

Australia’s fourth-largest bank says it’s well placed to navigate ongoing volatility in the global market and economy after boosting its earnings by 12 per cent.

ANZ posted a rise in first-half cash profit to $3.6 billion on the back of a five per cent jump in revenue to almost $11 billion, from the previous corresponding period.

Outgoing chief executive Shayne Elliott played up the result, which in percentage terms has topped its rivals Westpac and National Australia Bank.

“As I hand over to our incoming CEO Nuno Matos, the bank is well placed for the future,” he said on Thursday.

“Our strong balance sheet, along with our diversified portfolio, leaves the bank well placed to navigate ongoing volatility.”

ANZ’s results for the first time included the earnings of Suncorp Bank, which it bought in July last year.

ANZ said it now has more than one million customers, with deposits of more than $20 billion.

But Mr Elliott stressed the “future of global conditions is uncertain and there will continue to be periods of increased volatility”.

His warning mimicked those made by the chief executives of Westpac and NAB earlier this week.

The uncertainty is being driven by the United States, after President Donald Trump imposed large tariffs on goods imports from countries around the world, including Australia, sparking threats of retaliation.

The unpredictable way the United States is managing its punitive tariffs regime has sparked warnings by major American investment banks about a US and subsequent global recession.

On Monday, Westpac posted a one per cent fall in first-half earnings to $3.3 billion. National Australia Bank delivered interim earnings of $3.6 billion, up one per cent, on Wednesday.

ANZ will pay its investors a first-half dividend of 83 cents per share, against 76 cents for Westpac and 85 cents for NAB.

As the prime minister eyes his new cabinet, the Labor leader faces early headwinds including US tariffs and a potentially troublesome Greens senate cross bench.

Anthony Albanese and his senior ministers have already sent a shot across the minor party’s bow, warning them to be co-operative after a first term marred by blocked legislation and drawn-out negotiations.

The Greens have retained their balance of power status in the upper house, but lost leader Adam Bandt and three of four lower house seats, amid a Labor resurgence in the federal election on Saturday.

Outgoing Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather hit back at the prime minister for challenging him on live television, after he described parliament as a toxic place.

The firebrand MP who shot to prominence as the party’s housing spokesman and went head-to-head with Mr Albanese, lost his seat of Griffith in Brisbane to Labor after one term.

Mr Albanese said Mr Chandler-Mather needed to reflect on why he wasn’t in parliament and how he conducted himself when he was, and called out the Greens MP’s attacks on his character.

Mr Chandler-Mather responded by saying it was “how the political class treats people who fight for renters and real change”.

“Compare this to his kind words for Dutton,” he wrote on social media platform X.

Trade Minister Don Farrell pointed to what he said was a tendency to abrasive politics as the reason for the Greens’ poor showing in the lower house.

“The reason that they’ve done so badly in this election is because their supporters wanted them to support the government’s progressive policies, and they were doing exactly the opposite,” he told Nine’s Today Show on Thursday.

However, Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi defended the party, saying Labor’s vote spiked because “a lot of progressive Australians were deeply anxious about a Dutton government”.

“But also, those same voters clearly wanted us to hold a potential Labor government to account, which is why we also achieved record high Senate votes,” she told ABC Radio.

The Greens’ balance of power position in the Senate means the government will need them to pass legislation opposed by the coalition.

The Greens are sweating on the Brisbane-based seat of Ryan, which is amongst 11 seats overall that remain too close to call after the election.

Labor has won at least 89 seats while the coalition sits on a diminished 40 seats in the 150-seat house, after the landslide re-election victory under Mr Albanese.

The Labor caucus will meet in Canberra on Friday ahead of the likely unveiling of a new-look cabinet on Monday.

Senator Farrell, a right faction powerbroker, said he would leave Mr Albanese to determine his cabinet as the Labor factions tussle for ministry representations. 

Spots are decided on a proportional basis.

The Victorian right faction is calling for an extra post at the expense of their NSW counterparts, who are overrepresented after a swathe of new MPs changed the left and right faction balance.

The ministry is likely to be sworn in on Tuesday with Mr Albanese planning to travel to Indonesia the following day to meet President Prabowo Subianto.

Also on Mr Albanese’s early-term agenda are the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on imported goods, steel and aluminium from Australia.

Mr Trump has also flagged a 100 per cent tariff on films made outside the US, which has alarmed the Australian arts community.

Speaking in Los Angeles, Australia’s ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd said “I don’t think we want to see a tax on Bluey”, the popular children’s show on the ABC.

Recipe book writer Nagi Maehashi has beaten cupcake queen Brooke Bellamy at the publishing industry’s annual awards, after Maehashi and other authors accused Bellamy of plagiarism.

Maehashi won the illustrated book of the year prize a second time at the Australian Book Industry Awards in Melbourne on Wednesday for her most recent book RecipeTin Eats: Tonight.

In April the prize-winning author accused Bellamy, who runs the popular Brooki Bakehouse in Brisbane, of copying her caramel slice and baklava recipes in her bestselling book, Bake with Brooki.

Another author, US-based Sally McKenney from the blog Sally’s Baking Addiction, has alleged Bellamy copied her Best Vanilla Cake recipe.

Bellamy denies the allegations, which she has described online as “deeply distressing”. She did not attend the awards night and she’s understood to be attending a pop-up bakery venture in the United Arab Emirates.

The Brisbane baker and online influencer has previously said she offered to remove the recipes that are the subject of Maehashi’s allegations from any reprints “to prevent further aggravation”.

Maehashi beat five finalists including Bellamy to take out the prestigious industry prize, with her second cookbook Tonight selling more than 78,000 copies in its first week on shelves, breaking Australian records for first week non-fiction title sales.

Bake with Brooki was published in October by Penguin Random House Australia, which was awarded a gong for publisher of the year and has been contacted for comment.

The awards are not only about authors but the whole publishing industry, according to Australian Publishers Association chief executive Patrizia Di Biase-Dyson.

“The industry judges cast their eagle eyes over the whole process of bringing books to consumers – from editing the manuscript through to the sales, marketing and publicity,” she said.

Cookbook allegations aside, music legend John Farnham and filmmaker Poppy Stockell were the big winners at the 25th annual awards, winning the overall book of the year Award, audiobook of the year and biography of the year for The Voice Inside.

Journalist Joe Aston’s Qantas exposé The Chairman’s Lounge won general non-fiction book of the year, while 2024 co-Australian of the Year Richard Scolyer won social impact book of the year for Brainstorm, about his fight against brain cancer.

ABIA WINNERS 2025:

* Audiobook of the Year: The Voice Inside, John Farnham with Poppy Stockell

* Biography Book of the Year: The Voice Inside, John Farnham with Poppy Stockell

* The John Marsden Book of the Year for Older Children: My Family and Other Suspects, Kate Emery

* Book of the Year for Younger Children: Wurrtoo, Tylissa Elisara, illustrated by Dylan Finney 

* Children’s Picture Book of the Year: The Truck Cat, Deborah Frenkel, illustrated by Danny Snell 

* General Fiction Book of the Year: What Happened to Nina?, Dervla McTiernan

* General Non-fiction Book of the Year: The Chairman’s Lounge, Joe Aston 

* Illustrated Book of the Year: RecipeTin Eats: Tonight, Nagi Maehashi 

* Literary Fiction Book of the Year: Dusk, Robbie Arnott 

* Social Impact Book of the Year: Brainstorm, Richard Scolyer with Garry Maddox

* The Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year: We Are the Stars, Gina Chick 

* Publisher of the Year: Penguin Random House Australia