Yesterday
As the world burns, Canberra fumbles
The economic effects of the Iran crisis make the Albanese government’s budget decisions harder – but also more necessary to make tough choices. That’s not happening.
This Month
Not in the dictionary, but no mistaking envoy’s meaning
Japan’s ambassador to Australia says any change to gas taxes will curtail investment and Australia’s reputation as a reliable energy partner.
Deal overshadowed by the chaos of war
The EU-Australia agreement allowed Anthony Albanese to argue that free trade is not dead in the Trump era. But the turmoil in the Middle East is overwhelming.
Switzerland’s best-kept secret – the badi
Rather than crowding in with the May to September hordes of international tourists, make a splash with the locals in Zurich.
Crisis a reminder fossil fuels still key to global economic health
No country will be spared the effects of the Middle East conflict, warns the head of the International Energy Agency.
Cost of Iran war will fuel economic woes
The government claims Australia is over-prepared for energy shocks, but the gap between bureaucratic taskforces and actual fuel shortages is widening.
BHP shift highlights Australia’s stumble in the race for investment
The appointment of new CEO Brandon Craig demonstrates the company’s strong focus on the Americas in a changing centre of gravity for the company’s interests.
RBA can’t rule out recession despite raising rates
The central bank’s board split five-four over whether to lift rates, but governor Michele Bullock says the debate was over timing, not direction.
Rate rise could be just the start, as Trump’s war turns desperate
The Reserve Bank’s expected decision to raise rates on Tuesday is likely to be just the beginning of protracted pain for Australia, as petrol prices compound its domestic inflation problem.
Iranian war is becoming Trump’s global economic crisis
Australia is being increasingly drawn into the Middle East conflict as its fuel supplies become ever more vulnerable.
Political pet projects become a balancing act
Infrastructure Australia’s priority list promises an independent assessment of merit but contains plenty of politics with a capital P.
Iran war’s only guaranteed outcome is that Trump will declare victory
The US president has tried to reassure markets that the war in Iran will be over soon and be successful. But the shocks, including to the oil market, will keep coming.
What Albanese can learn from Carney about immigration
Canada and Australia have been high-immigration countries, but Canada is cutting numbers much harder than Australia. And its housing and rental prices have fallen.
Carney on recruitment drive for middle powers to write new rules
Mark Carney wants middle powers to help write new rules of behaviour now that the former international order has been destroyed. But how realistic are his ambitions?
Don’t worry, friends, Trump is toast and America will bounce back
Famed Democrat strategist James Carville says the rest of the world underestimates the ability of America to recover from Donald Trump’s presidency as his power ebbs.
Chalmers will use war to justify budget spending and rate rises
The government is celebrating strong economic growth figures. But it makes it more likely the RBA will increase rates sooner rather than later.
Big business wants Chalmers to do more than tinker with the budget
The people who run Australia’s largest companies and employers cannot be clearer. The economy risks falling behind in a high-risk, fast-changing world.
February
Chalmers counters rising rates with talk of higher capital gains taxes
The Albanese government’s talk of major economic reform has once again come down to the Australian obsession – the housing market.
Speech reveals cracks in the world according to Trump
The president’s State of the Union address reflected Republican concerns they are on track to lose control of Congress in November.
AI race runs into political risk
Ambitions for Australia to be a regional hub for data centres are being tested by what’s needed to join the global boom.
