This Month
Jardine Matheson, giant of Hong Kong commerce, charts new course as investor
The storied Anglo-Asian conglomerate was founded as an opium trader in 1832 and famous as an inspiration for James Clavell’s novels. The shift marks a new incarnation.
March
Boost business investment to restore lost prosperity
A 20 per cent investment allowance would be a start. But the focus should be on sharpening the overall international competitiveness of the economy
‘Gone ballistic’: Soaring gold price revives mothballed mines
Towns like Coolgardie, population 850, are in the midst of a modern gold rush as investors and entrepreneurs scramble for a piece of the action.
Questions for Virgin investors in Qatar deal
Readers’ letters on what the tie-up means for future shareholders, the ANZUS pact, Ukraine’s critical minerals, Donald Trump pausing military aid, sustainable investment, and Clive Palmer’s election ads
February
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.
December 2024
‘Darn sensible’ Labor states outcompete Victoria, says top Liberal
Shadow treasurer Brad Rowswell has been in Britain looking at how the state might get in on the AUKUS action, and ruing the salesmanship of rivals NSW and SA.
Australia is now an economic ‘problem child’: McKinsey
Business investment is at recession levels as the country’s productivity growth slumps to 30th out of 35 rich countries, says a new report.
May 2024
Guzman y Gomez co-founder quits board as it pursues IPO
The Mexican-themed chain has recently lured new investors at a $1.73 billion valuation and is backed by TDM Growth Partners and Barrenjoey Capital Partners.
Budget tips business investment to slow
The recovery in business investment is tipped to slow markedly in federal budget forecasts, as a cooling economy forces firms to reassess capital expenditure plans.
March 2024
Slowing tech investment complicates Chalmers’ growth goal
The contribution of IT equipment to capital input has fallen sharply in recent decades, which economists warn could undermine long-term economic growth.
Biden just prolonged the private equity jam
The dearth of deals has left buyout funds sitting on 28,000 unsold companies worth a record $US3.2 trillion ($4.8 trillion).
Chalmers gets a face-to-face with his favourite economist
Economist Mariana Mazzucato is on a week-long tour of Australia touting the benefits of a “mission economy” – or how to do industrial policy differently.
February 2024
GDP growth fears firm on tepid business spending figures
Treasurer Jim Chalmers foreshadowed on Thursday morning that the December quarter GDP growth figure was likely to be “quite weak”.
How the new $15b fund boss will revive manufacturing
Former Macquarie Group executive Ivan Power is the boss of the NRF, a key plank of the Albanese government’s agenda to revive manufacturing.
January 2024
Chalmers plans to modernise Future Fund
Although the Treasurer is a supporter of the Future Fund’s objectives, he wants to use its vacancies as an opportunity to refresh the nearly 18-year-old institution.
Australia needs banks to invest in businesses, not houses
This country doesn’t need more luck to drive productivity, it needs strategies to help finance SMEs, and to make better use of existing energy infrastructure.
December 2023
Big capital comes to Canberra. See the full list here
Big bank CEOs, super fund bosses and venture capital executives are at Parliament House to hear Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ push for them to invest in national priorities.
Chalmers, Plibersek aim private capital at government priorities
The treasurer and environment minister are both reaching deep into the business community to urge investment into key policy areas.
November 2023
Reviving dud industries will make us poorer: RBA’s Harper
Reserve Bank board member Ian Harper has warned that government efforts to ‘reshore’ production will lead to lower living standards.
NSW faces $2b hole on roads as states fight infrastructure cuts
Federal Transport Minister Catherine King faces a tough fight from state premiers as a raft of infrastructure projects stand in line for cuts