This Month
The cost of safe banks | Inside Macquarie conference | Labor’s big opportunity
This week, behind the scenes at an investment conference, the business sector’s election reaction and an answer to the question: are safe banks less dynamic?
Fear, loathing (and hope) as finance’s elite gather in LA
Private equity titans and dealmakers converging at the Milken Institute Global Conference this week were relentlessly optimistic in public, but the tone was different behind the scenes.
Can Jim Chalmers fix Australia’s most urgent challenge?
The treasurer says getting productivity growing will be the signature challenge of Labor’s second term. Doing so will require a tangle of reforms that demand persistence and political will.
Is America about to nuke its own currency?
Although the dollar’s role as the world’s leading reserve currency plays a part, it is just one of many factors contributing to the US’ persistent trade deficits.
Prudent investors are cautious about Trump’s America
The uncertainty created by Trump has made allocating capital to the US a more difficult proposition. Investors would be wise to calibrate their US positions.
Government debt to hit $1 trillion as soon as September
Economists are urging the re-elected Albanese government to prioritise getting the budget in order or else risk losing the nation’s AAA credit rating.
US-China talks seek to save face, and their economies
Tariff negotiations between the two superpowers this weekend offer the prospect of retreat from a full-on trade war. But will the market’s sense of relief prove premature?
The real cost of a weak US dollar is coming for everyone
If the United States wants to help manufacturing and export workers and also have a weak dollar, it should think hard about what policies can lift America and the rest of the world together.
Liberals were too left-wing on the economy
Peter Dutton’s team defied basic liberal economic principles and was punished. The natural policy for it should be to offer lighter income taxes than Labor.
Third-party risks are no longer someone else’s fault
In this hyper-connected world it’s important to remember that ensuring the protection of data along the supply chain is essential.
Bold leadership is now crucial
Readers’ letters on the need for reform after the federal election, how to rebuild the Liberal Party and develop credible leadership.
Is Labor ready to get real in its second term?
The first Albanese government was all about “tricks” – a shameless democracy-damaging series of porkies. Can it pick up its game with a commanding majority?
Australian prosperity will keep drifting lower
The source of the nation’s exceptionalism has fallen through the centre ground as neither triumphant Labor nor the devastated Liberals represent aspirational voters.
Government must get productivity right this time
Bold reform comes with a heavy price tag and is harder when economic circumstances also command big spending
Bessent lays out Trump blueprint as big investors stick with US
The US Treasury secretary and former hedge fund manager speaking at the Milken Institute declared America was still the best place for investor capital.
The companies that are winners and losers from Labor’s landslide victory
Winners include healthcare diagnostics, vehicle financiers, and developers. Mortgage insurers, fuel suppliers, and automotive firms may face challenges.
This is Labor’s chance for real reform. Business must make the case
Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers have the chance to tackle big-picture reform in a way that was unimaginable a few days ago. Business should lean into that.
Next PM’s to-do list | Woodside hits go | Minecraft powers Woolies turnaround
This week, what the election means for investors, a telling $27 billion investment, and the latest weapon in the supermarket wars: cheap cardboard toys.
Budget will get worse before it gets better under Coalition
A surprise new $3.6 billion tax on vaping and a massive $17 billion cut to the public service will not prevent a Coalition government posting bigger budget deficits.
Chalmers didn’t know a key budget number. This is why it matters
Treasurer Jim Chalmers failed to recognise a $47 billion deficit figure in an oversight that economist Saul Eslake says exposes the government for glossing over so-called “off budget” spending.
April
Meat price rises could be just one (of some) unintended tariff hits to Australia
Australian business leaders are scrambling to understand the second- and third-order impacts of Trump’s trade war. And they might not play out as expected.
Is there a case for a jumbo-sized interest rate cut next month?
Given the cash rate is now 4.10 per cent, this suggests that the RBA board could deliver a 50 basis point cut in May and still leave policy mildly restrictive.
Voters are still fed up with major parties
Readers’ letters on the teal independents, Peter Dutton’s fears of bias at the ABC and Guardian Australia, defence policy and taxation on superannuation.
Labor’s missing $8b for housing makes a mockery of budget
More than 80 per cent of the $10 billion that the government committed to build 100,000 homes for first buyers was nowhere to be seen in its election costings.
Inflation result opens door to post-election rate cut
The RBA’s preferred measure of underlying inflation has dipped below 3 per cent for the first time in three years, opening the door to a likely interest rate cut for the second time this year.