Featured Opinion
Why the world’s leading democracies are in crisis
The majority of G7 governments are now so burdened with domestic political problems that they are incapable of steering their own countries, writes Gideon Rachman.
Columnist
The Fed's reversal is toxic for stocks
The US central bank’s belated acknowledgement of re-accelerating inflation and the risks flowing from Donald Trump’s policies could trigger a sustained market downturn.
Columnist
Labor has left it too late for an early election this time
This year, the polls, the economy and the budget have all got worse for the government, and it has run out of room to go to voters before the end of its term.
Columnist
Why governments should fund think tanks that make life difficult for them
Without allowing some unencumbered funding and a safe space for free thinkers within the system, we will be poorer for it in a policy sense.
Foreign policy expert
Political class must heed lessons of Trump’s comeback
Will our leaders heed the warning that the best defence against populism is to take the hard decisions needed to restore the prosperity most Australians seek?
Editorial
Dutton not match fit after dodging the pack, or so Labor hopes
When the opposition leader has made a foray into policy detail, he’s found himself on the sticky paper.
Political editor
Churches sowed the seeds of antisemitism but have lost control of field in post-Christian age
The shift in Christian teaching can have a limited effect when the worst prejudices come from the radical, secular left.
Rabbi
Inflation risk crashes into political risk
Market tantrums and the fall in the Australian dollar in response to the US Fed show that next year is likely to be even more volatile.
Columnist
Yesterday
- Opinion
- Podcasts
The best (US) podcasts of 2024
From chat shows to true crime, here’s a pick of the 10 best Americans series released this year.
- Reggie Ugwu
This Month
- Opinion
- Terror charges
Why did Germany’s bizarre terrorist send me angry messages?
Little did I know that the sender would end up being the main suspect in Friday’s Christmas market attack in the eastern city of Magdeburg.
- James Jackson
- Opinion
- Workplace
Comedy series Hacks shows a new way forward for the workplace
The TV show has triumphed because it shows that regardless of age, we can always learn if we talk and listen.
- Andreea Papuc
- Opinion
- Inside China
This is how China could lift growth while cutting global emissions
A shift towards green development could help stabilise the Chinese economy while supporting the world’s energy transition.
- Yiping Huang
- Gadgets With John Davidson
- Review
These were our favourite gadgets of 2024
Last year might have been the year AI made it into the public consciousness, but 2024 was when the new technology made it into devices.
- John Davidson
- Opinion
- Inside China
China’s staggering manufacturing muscle needs to be seen to be believed
Since Trump was last in office, Beijing has doubled down on its efforts to gain global supremacy in electric cars, robots and rare materials. America could be toast if it doesn’t respond.
- Thomas Friedman
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Macquarie’s Viktor Shvets nailed 2024. Here’s what he thinks will come next
No economic cycles? No mean reversion? Macquarie’s top global strategist’s radical view of markets challenges investors to consider how the world has changed.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Governance
The good, the bad and the ugly of corporate Australia in 2024
Big deals, big names, big disasters. From AirTrunk to Woolies to our own Nine Entertainment, here are the biggest moments of the year.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Middle East conflict
The most anti-Israel country in Europe risks harming itself
Ireland has drawn a false equivalence with Northern Ireland and Palestine, and its hard-fought reputation as the world’s tiniest superpower is threatened.
- Finn McRedmond
- Opinion
- Government debt
I’m the guy Barron’s called the Bond King. Here’s why US debt is a problem
There is the real possibility of a quasi-default by the Treasury and few are likely to be spared from the resulting upheaval.
- Jeffrey Gundlach
- Opinion
- Financial planning
What to do in each decade of life to build wealth
It can be difficult to know what to do to get ahead financially as you age and your circumstances change. Here’s a quick guide.
- Rob Pizzichetta
- Opinion
- Family finance
Give the gift of difficult conversations this Christmas
The festive season is an opportunity to initiate important family conversations about will-making, aged care and funeral costs.
- Jenneke Mills
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Nuclear costings put heat on uncosted renewables plan
Both sides of politics should end the charade of promising cheaper power prices while debating the least costly transition to a net zero economy.
- The AFR View
Super fund boards need separation of powers
Readers’ letters on superannuation fund governance, universal childcare, Peter Dutton’s stance on a two-state solution for the Middle East, the federal budget deficit and housing reform.
- Opinion
- Nuclear energy
Frontier’s modelling exposes flaws of Labor’s renewables policy
The reality dawning on Australians is we don’t have any energy plan close to giving us an honest picture of our future power prices.
- Michael Wu and Zoe Hilton
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
How CEOs are using AI, from driverless forklifts to bird counts
Everyone’s doing it, but are they doing it properly? Here is a fascinating snapshot of what Australian companies are doing with artificial intelligence.
- Anthony Macdonald and James Thomson
- Opinion
- Victorian budget
Vic Libs must return to economic liberalism and social conservatism
The Moira Deeming disaster reflects the party’s domination by socially progressive moderates believing the path to winning is to out-Labor Labor.
- Terry Barnes
- Opinion
- Payments
There are more hidden costs to payments than people think
Consumers should not pay excessive surcharges, but a total ban will not lower the expense of card payments for businesses.
- Jon Davey
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Elliott’s bonus hit shows how grumpy ANZ investors really are
Local fund managers are clearly unhappy with the board’s approach to risk management. Shayne Elliott is wearing a lot of their grief.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
The Fed just killed the Santa rally
Jerome Powell gave investors a rate cut. But what sent Wall Street plunging was his message for 2025.
- James Thomson