Yesterday
Citi touts February rate hike in a bold call for the RBA
The investment bank is the first major forecaster to tip two rate hikes in 2026, arguing that the RBA needs to act fast to get inflation under control, or risk losing credibility.
Silicon Valley wants Australia for data centres, but Canberra is afraid of the dark
Having exhausted excess power in the US, the tech giants want to have AI factories in Australia. Are we the lucky country again, or is it all a trick?
This Month
Politics makes business too risk-adverse, top CEOs say
The Australian business sector has become more risk-adverse and short term since the royal commission, according to Australia’s top chief executives.
Lucky country losing ground: Top CEOs on the risks we can’t ignore
Chanticleer columnists James Thomson and Anthony Macdonald asked 55 of Australia’s top chiefs on what keeps them up at night. Here’s what they said.
End policy paralysis: Top CEOs map out productivity fixes
The nation’s foremost chief executives told the annual Chanticleer poll that governments need to foster global competitiveness among local businesses.
Top CEOs accuse Labor of hobbling RBA with excess spending
More than 50 chief executives say the Albanese government must fight against inflation by cutting spending and boosting productivity.
‘Stop sugar-hit spending’: Top CEOs on how to get the economy moving
Australia’s foremost chief executives have told the annual Chanticleer poll that governments need to step up and drive productivity. And time is running out.
Interest rates are (likely) going up in 2026. Chalmers could be blamed
Under Labor, federal spending has reached 27 per cent of GDP, the highest since the 1980s (outside COVID). The treasurer has to act or interest rates may rise.
Here’s what the RBA should do next to tame inflation
If the board waits too long and the inflation trend is not reversing, then it will have to play catch-up, jeopardising impressive gains in the labour market.
Several RBA rate hikes on the way in 2026
RBA governor Michele Bullock has triggered a huge repricing of rate expectations. Financial markets are now fully priced for a cash rate increase by May next year.
No Christmas rate cut, but new year might start with a rise
If governments continue to pump demand and hide behind temporary cost of living sugar hits, they will complicate the central bank’s goal of price stability
RBA is worried it cut interest rates too far
Michele Bullock is ringing the alarm on “upside” inflation risks and openly talking about the plausibility of raising interest rates next year.
Not so fast: bond investors say RBA rate cuts more likely
Markets imply the central bank will lift the cash rate twice next year, but several fund managers say traders have overreacted to recent data.
Jacinta Allan’s budget gamble is a risk Victorians can’t afford
Victoria’s budget update is a sober reflection of the government’s conscious decision to prioritise spending its way to an electoral victory.
Is the Australian economy firing up or hitting a wall?
The answer will determine the direction of the Reserve Bank’s next interest rate move. Opinions are divided.
Treasury debt manager hit by staff exodus, corruption claims
The Australian Office of Financial Management has lost about a quarter of its 50 staff over the past year, with employees raising corruption concerns.
9 ASX micro stocks that have won big this year
Micro caps have rocketed this year. A luxury car dealer, building materials company and a gym operator have been just some of the winners for fund managers in 2025.
Resilience, sense of adventure unite Business People of the Year
Mike Dorrell, Jo Horgan, Dennis Bastas, Meg O’Neill, David Harrison and Leah Weckert all had a stellar 2025. Defining traits are at the heart of their success.
Black market economy: ABS to measure illegal cigarette sales
As sales of legal tobacco products plunge, the government statistician has taken the extraordinary step of trying to measure spending on black market nicotine.
Treasurer places his bet on how to lift momentum
Jim Chalmers is confident that private sector investment will balance out all that government spending, but Michele Bullock sounds less sure inflation is tamed.