Latest
‘It will affect everything’: This was the week the war hit home
The war is no longer distant. From farms to supermarkets, the shock is spreading through the economy, and Australia could be pushed towards recession if it drags on.
Oil crisis flows through to Australian dinner plate
Rising costs and budget-wary consumers are squeezing restaurant owners like Sam Young, as farmers warn high fuel prices mean worse to come.
Middle East conflict could push inflation to mid-sixes by June
A swift resolution to the war won’t be enough to stop prices marching higher, economists warn.
First snow falls as sudden chill brings wild weather
The first dusting of snow has fallen in the alpine areas of southeast Australia overnight with the bureau forecasting blizzard conditions.
Inflation and fertiliser price spike to hit Australia: OECD
The OECD called out Australia for a “resurgence in inflation” that pre-dates the Middle East conflict and warned of further interest rate rises.
Swinburne vice-chancellor quits amid investigation into chancellor
Pascale Quester has been vice-chancellor since August 2020 and was dealing with the fallout of low employee morale over concerns about the chancellor’s leadership.
Opinion & Analysis
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.
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.
Columnist
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.
Economist
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.
Psychologist
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.
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.
This Month
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.
You promise, you pay: NSW throws Tomago rescue back to feds
The NSW Government is digging in its heels and pleading poor over the GST distribution in the face of federal pressure to bail out the Tomago aluminium smelter.
Gen X takes the reins: The middle child now rules Canberra
For the first time in 40 years, Baby Boomers are no longer the driving force in parliament as Jim Chalmers prepares a budget focused on intergenerational equity.
War will keep inflation ‘higher for longer’: Chalmers
New data from the period before the Iran conflict broke out shows headline inflation in Australia remained high and outside the Reserve Bank’s target range.
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.
Two rate hikes, falling house prices tipped as inflation shock builds
Inflation from the oil shock is about to collide with an Australian economy that can keep growing strongly for the next six months.
Labor GST row threatens Tomago smelter bailout
The Albanese government is pushing NSW Premier Chris Minns to make a bigger contribution to its multibillion-dollar rescue package for the Tomago aluminium smelter.
We must avoid future fuel supply disruptions by planning now
The continuing economic impact of the energy crisis is unclear, but we should develop and implement a strategy to deal with the world as it is likely to be.
Labor set to announce massive subsidy package for Boyne smelter
Rio Tinto’s Boyne aluminium smelter is set to be the latest large manufacturing facility to receive taxpayer support.
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.
Consumer confidence hits historic low ahead of May budget
The worst confidence result in more than 50 years has economists concerned about Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ ability to sell an ambitious tax plan in the budget.
Spending cuts must go hand-in-hand with tax reform to fix budget
Tightening the purse strings is great, but it won’t solve our economic problems. The scale of the challenge means a review of the tax system is critical.
Debelle interviews AOFM officials as review deadline nears
Former central banker Guy Debelle has been interviewing officials and financial market participants over the past few weeks, with more interviews expected this month.
EU warns Australia: Distance won’t save you in ‘harsh’ world
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says Australia’s and Europe’s security are intertwined, and Australians are no longer protected by their isolation.
How Trump’s war on Iran will affect China’s Taiwan calculations
Regardless of what happens in the Middle East, Xi Jinping will be more uncomfortable with the state of the world – and this is good for deterrence.
How big business ‘club’ is causing Australia’s economic problem
Oligopolies and a lack of foreign investment are driving up the cost of living, yet governments on both sides of the aisle are turning a blind eye.
