This Month
Chalmers’ broken budget rule is a slippery slope in a world of debt
Australia has relatively moderate federal debt levels compared with most countries. But the picture is not so benign if ballooning state government debts are added.
August 2024
Saul Eslake’s devastating assessment of the Tassie economy
From AFL stadiums to chocolate fountains and unfunded election promises, spending increases and tax cuts are sending the Apple Isle backwards ever faster.
Extremism rising across the board makes terror attack ‘probable’
Security officials are alarmed by Australians embracing more extreme ideologies over issues such as pandemic lockdowns, the war in Gaza and economic hardship.
June 2024
Recession a 50-50 chance if RBA raises rates: economists
As many as 100,000 Australians could lose their jobs in an inflation-driven recession likely to coincide with the federal election.
The NDIS desperately needs reform
Readers letters on the National Disability Insurance Scheme; interest rates and the economy; the union push to boost teens’ pay; and the war in Gaza
January 2024
Let’s not give away this growth card
Migration once again seems likely to keep Australia out of more serious economic trouble. That makes it all the more important to get housing right.
August 2023
ASX vulnerable to sell-off as recession risks linger
Sharemarket volatility is set to remain elevated amid the high risk of a hard landing in Australia, according to AMP’s Shane Oliver.
Why the Kiwis are thrashing Australia in economics
Although Australia and New Zealand have almost identical inflation problems, their interest rate settings are radically different.
July 2023
The Aussie consumer’s demise is greatly exaggerated
The fastest and fiercest rate rises in history have failed to stop the Australian consumer from splashing the cash, but that may not be a reason to cheer.
Recession odds increase, as analysts forecast how downturn will look
The Reserve Bank of Australia is engaged in a delicate balancing act, which economists warn could end in recession.
Don’t overdo it on interest rates, leading economists warn RBA
Both AMP chief economist Shane Oliver and NAB group chief economist Alan Oster are urging the RBA not to repeat the mistakes of the 1988-89 interest rate cycle.
Here’s the real solution to fighting inflation
Does anyone in the government bureaucracy understand that take-home pay is more important than pre-tax wage increases?
How to win the recession guessing game
There’s a good argument for remaining invested in shares, but retaining an allocation to cash or fixed income as a defensive strategy and to pick up a bargain.
June 2023
Traders trim RBA rate rise bets as CPI surprises
Shares gained while bond yields and the Aussie dollar eased after headline inflation came in below expectations as the market speculates on the Reserve Bank’s next move.
‘Better value’ from niche property trusts in volatile times
Unlike large A-REITs that mostly invest in office, industrial and retail assets, these own specialised assets that are less cyclical.
The economy is about to walk onto centre stage
It is going to get harder to talk about the Voice when the government staring down the barrel of a policy-induced recession.
Bank of England shows why RBA is odd man out
While Martin Place has to convince the public it will crush this inflation crisis, NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey shows the real cost of NSW’s debt fund.
Inflation’s sticky grip: why central banks are coming back for more
Markets are delaying predictions of hoped-for interest rate cuts until early 2024, with more increases ahead if inflation pressures don’t dissipate faster.
Boards sound alarm on a recession ‘we have to have’
Graham Bradley says the economy is on the “cliff edge of recession” and Tony Shepherd says the “resources sector won’t save us this time”.
House prices to get whacked by rates again
Given unchanged productivity and higher wages, the RBA will be projecting even higher inflation, meaning more rate rises.