Featured Opinion
Australia’s fuel crisis is just the first domino to fall
Rebuilding our lost sovereignty will require government to rein in profligate spending on industry losers and stop treating the budget as a bottomless well.
Editorial
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.
Columnist
Prepare for synchronised global hikes
Between the Iran war supply shock and the upward revision of “neutral” rates, we are staring at a cash rate of at least 5 per cent.
Columnist
South Australia is now like a one-party state
One Nation’s SA election success has not just decimated the Liberals, but more importantly, it has gutted effective opposition and undermined democracy.
Policy expert
Most directors prefer to be on private boards, and that is a big worry
Sobering new survey findings should worry policymakers, regulators and anyone with an interest in the health and resilience of the country’s listed markets.
Associate editor
Ignored warnings about fuel security have left Australia vulnerable
It’s not as though we haven’t been warned before – since in 2012 there have been warnings about the nation’s fuel reserves.
Political editor
Canberra wants Tomago saved – just not all on its dime
Australia needs to avoid indulging in political slush funds dressed up as “industrial policy” and pivot towards a smarter, future-looking strategy.
Editorial
The elusive illiquidity premium forces private assets rethink
The guiding principle that has guided billions of dollars of institutional capital into private assets might not actually exist. That’s led to soul-searching.
Senior reporter
Yesterday
Iran war price shock, private credit pain and WFH battle reignites
James and Anthony tackle global energy volatility, credit market cockroaches and take a question on oil companies and their super profits.
F1 wants a Chinese team. BYD is in pole position
If BYD enters the motorsport, the world’s biggest electric vehicle maker will have a shot at building genuine global desirability for its cars.
Why the super sector should be doubly worried about Iran
The superannuation sector hopes the Iran crisis is solved quickly so it can avoid the risk of a nasty bear market colliding with persistent operational issues.
The same alliance from 1979 is happening again. History cannot repeat
Two strange bedfellows are getting together for another round, ignoring the lessons of what results when principles are traded for short-term alignment.
Boards fight against paralysis as Iran shock hits – but it ain’t easy
Shortages caused by the Iran war go beyond fuel. Away from the headlines, many companies are wondering how they are doing to handle supply shocks.
This Month
Macquarie’s Shemara Wikramanayake nails the big private credit risk
While the heavyweights of private credit told the superannuation sector everything’s fine in Melbourne on Thursday, two experts see long-term risks rising.
China has already won the Iran war
Donald Trump had better do a deal with Iran soon. If the Strait of Hormuz is closed for another month, it is game, set and match to the Russo-Chinese axis.
Australia must choose the right metric to tax the digital economy
The three theories of value – activity, intellectual property, infrastructure – that the government could use to determine taxation must be closely examined.
An entire generation is losing faith in Australian democracy
The crippling economic inequality between the young and old, especially for housing, is starting to show in attitudes towards the system of government.
RBA’s narrow pathway on inflation will need to widen
If the central bank is serious about getting core inflation back to its 2.5 per cent target, it will need to abandon a dual goal to keep the unemployment rate low.
Markets just keep ignoring the energy shock that is already here
There are better signs out of the Middle East, but even peace tomorrow won’t stop the existing oil and gas crisis. So why don’t investors care?
I escaped from Iran. But I keep reliving the horror
America and Israel were only supposed to hit the Revolutionary Guards but they’re hitting everyone. I don’t think anyone will rise up now.
Sacking staff for AI is losing its stigma. What is our plan?
A sector long viewed as a future-proof career option has been the first to publicly blame the technology for big redundancy rounds.
Macquarie’s last-minute sprint to March 31 balance date
If Macquarie manages a clean, quick sale of its European smart meter business, it will have pulled a rabbit out of a hat.
Stand up to whinging gas giants
Readers’ letters on a controversial drawing in The Australian Financial Review, gas tax, replacing Jacinta Allan, and self-managed superannuation funds.
Time for government to show Dario Amodei its hand in AI poker game
Giants such as Anthropic want to invest fortunes in Australia for infrastructure, and Australia wants their money, but the government must play its cards right.
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.
This oil shock is not as bad as the 1970s. Not yet
Fuel prices have not increased as dramatically, 5 per cent inflation is a long way from double-digits, and most home borrowers can cope – for now.
Smelters v software: The high-voltage battle for votes and dollars
Would it be better to free up electricity from smelters to invest elsewhere? Or can we have both?
Iran may have just de-escalated. Here’s what investors must do
Markets are wary about Donald Trump’s declarations about the war ending. But one strategist says they should also watch Tehran’s actions, not its words.
