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Eric Johnston is an associate editor of The Australian. He has more than 25 years experience as a finance journalist, including a former business editor of The Australian. He has been business editor of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age and financial services editor with The Australian Financial Review. His work has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal.

@ejohnno

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AnalysisEconomics

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA. NewsWire Photos.December 10, 2024.RBA Governor, Michele Bullock holds a media conference discussing the Reserve Bank of AustraliaÃs monetary policy decision.Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

RBA sidelined during election, but has the damage been done?

Albanese has declared he wants to make this election about the cost of living. The real test will be on how forgiving voters are prepared to be on interest rates.

Eric Johnston

MarketsFinancial Services

27/3/25: The global head of Blackstone Jon Gray, he heads up the $1 trillion Wall Street asset giant. Their holdings in Australia are vast, including the Crown Resorts casino group, real estate and more recently the stunning $24bn buyout of Australian data centre operator AirTrunk. John Feder/The Australian.

Tariffs won’t derail ‘golden era’ of US: Blackstone boss

The powerful Wall Street investor says markets need to hold their nerve and focus on the long term opportunities powering the world’s biggest economy.

Eric Johnston

CommentaryFinancial Services

How Macquarie has long moved on from AirTrunk

Investment bank Macquarie is about to crack the $1 trillion mark in assets under management, pitting it against some of Wall Street’s biggest names.

Eric Johnston

CommentaryEconomics

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - MARCH 17, 2025:Treasurer Jim Chalmers speaks at a press conference as he explains the economic impacts of Cyclone Alfred and the upcomming Budget.Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

Hollow Treasurer runs from an almighty tariff fight

Jim Chalmers may have declared victory on the economy but after four budgets there’s plenty of risks and few answers to Australia’s big challenges.

Eric Johnston

CommentaryCompanies

Supplied photo from James Hardie (the company) for a Home Matters story on cladding with James Hardie in the HS Realestate/Home Living section.

‘A moment in time’: Hardie pays up for the American dream

James Hardie is betting it all to hitch itself to a new growth business. The test is whether the combination can prove to be more valuable than going it alone.

Eric Johnston

AnalysisCompanies

Myer executive chair Olivia Wirth and Premier Investments chair Solomon Lew. Picture: Supplied.

Is Solomon Lew breaking up with fast fashion?

The retailing billionaire offers clues over his next big bet. This time, apparel is likely to be left on the rack.

Eric Johnston

CommentaryCompanies

Politically charged supermarket probe ends with a whimper

The ACCC’s supermarkets inquiry was always a political solution to a cost of living crisis that the Albanese government had been woefully slow to recognise.

Eric Johnston

CommentaryCompanies