Yesterday
- Opinion
- Interest rates
Inflation has smashed profits, so a rate cut is no sure bet
Businesses have absorbed some cost increases through lower profitability. But that may soon change and could stall further progress towards the RBA’s inflation target.
- Paul Brennan
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Sticky US inflation just made the RBA’s cut call harder
Four months after the Fed cut rates, inflationary pressures appear to be building in the US. The lesson is unlikely to be lost on the Reserve Bank.
- James Thomson
This Month
CBA’s Comyn says student debt tweak helps but housing supply is key
The bank CEO was echoed by HECS architect Bruce Chapman, who said Jim Chalmers’ changes made sense but fixing home affordability required more residences.
- Michael Read, Lucas Baird, James Eyers and Lucy Dean
- Exclusive
- Federal budget
Chalmers was told his plan would fuel black market ciggies. He did it anyway
Warnings from Treasury that soaring excise rates would force smokers to look for cheaper, illegal cigarettes have been borne out, raising crime and reducing revenue.
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- Federal election
As Rome burns, Australia fiddles with small-minded debate
Australia needs a revolution on tax, deregulation, energy supply and competition, not fiddling around the edges with small-minded economic debate.
- John Kehoe
Chalmers instructs banks to loosen home loan rules for HECS debts
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has instructed the prudential regulator to relax how HECS is treated when banks conduct mortgage serviceability tests.
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- Innovation
Australia’s critical slide in R&D is now a national emergency
In a world reshaping through emerging technologies, the nation needs to put innovation at the centre of its competitive DNA to set up its fortunes for decades.
- Robyn Denholm
Dutton urges RBA to resist pressure to cut rates
The opposition leader says there is ‘a real concern’ that if the RBA cuts the cash rate too early, it will have to increase rates before long.
- Michael Read and John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Interest rates
Rate cut pile-on threatens RBA credibility
It’s premature to declare victory over inflation. But all hell will break loose if the central bank governor and her board defy the Black Caviar odds and hold next week.
- Michael Stutchbury
- Opinion
- Industrial relations
Bizarre new era of industrial relations must be unwound
State-sponsored and third-party interference threatens to kill workplace productivity and prosperity. Here are eight ways to fix the situation.
- Steve Knott
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
There is no way the Reserve Bank can cut interest rates next week
The central bank would be well advised not to misjudge the politics. An easing of monetary policy would put more jobs and more inflation into the economy. Is that what people really want?
- Warren Hogan
ACT risks Victoria-style downgrade as deficit blows out to $1b
S&P has told the ACT it must turn its finances around within a year or two, or else it will join Victoria as the lowest-rated Australian government.
- Michael Read
Sydney Airport chief insulated from regulation woes
Readers’ letters on Sydney Airport chief executive Scott Charlton’s complaints over regulation, electric vehicle sales, Anthony Albanese’s superannuation tax plan and the appeal of the teal MPs.
Trump chaos | Business election fears | The new millionaires factory
James and Anthony consider what Trump means for markets, reveal what top business leaders are talking about ahead of the federal election and look ahead to the official opening of the ASX’s new millionaires factory.
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Australia’s looming debt crisis could be a real opportunity
Why not use the looming fiscal crisis of the states to tackle the buck-passing by seriously reforming which tier of government is responsible for spending?
- Michael Stutchbury
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Teal election pivot is a sign of taxing times
It says something about the dire state of the economic policy debate when the teal Independents have more sensible things to say about tax than either major party.
- The AFR View
- Exclusive
- Productivity
‘The world has shifted’: CEOs query penalty rates, right to disconnect
As executives ramp up pressure on Labor and the Coalition to do more to reverse a productivity slump, more flexible workplace laws have become a priority.
- John Kehoe
Chalmers claims the jobs boom is private-sector led
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has hit back at critics who argue many of the 1.1 million extra created during the Albanese government have been underwritten by taxpayers.
- John Kehoe and Michael Read
States reject ratings warning on debt
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey is returning from a US mission to keep debt costs down, but S&P warns Australian states’ credit ratings are at risk of downgrade.
- Paul Karp, Gus McCubbing, Simon Evans and Tom Rabe
Business tax breaks don’t spur investment: RBA
The RBA found company tax cuts are probably more effective than instant asset write-offs promoted by both Labor and the Coalition.
- Michael Read
How to stand up to the gas industry – and win votes
Readers’ letters on Donald Trump’s tariffs, Anthony Albanese’s Nature Positive legislation, and Gina Cass-Gottleib quitting the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge.
Treasury costing furore is as old as 1993 Fightback!
Jim Chalmers’ use of his Treasury to cost the Coalition’s tax breaks for business lunches is unfortunate – but the status quo, former Treasury bosses say.
- John Kehoe and Ronald Mizen
- Exclusive
- Federal budget
Coalition MP’s food donation tax break could cost hundreds of millions
Treasury says the proposed deduction for charitable food donations could lead to companies pocketing millions for donations already being made.
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- Education
Ross Gittins’ rebuke of economics today is wrong, silly and offensive
Ross Gittins is a legend of Australian journalism. But his column on Monday was a shocker. I guess even legends can be wrong.
- Richard Holden
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
Even small RBA rate cuts will fuel election spending
Any monetary easing this month will embolden more cash-burning by politicians, and therefore have important political and economic ramifications.
- John Kehoe