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James KirbyAssociate Editor – Wealth

James Kirby, Associate Editor-Wealth, is one of Australia’s most experienced financial journalists. James hosts The Australian’s twice-weekly Money Puzzle podcast.He is a regular commentator on radio and television, the author of several business biographies and has served on the Walkley Awards Advisory BoardHe was a co-founder and managing editor at Business Spectator and Eureka Report and has previously worked at the Australian Financial Review and the South China Morning Post. Since January 2025 James is a director of Ecstra, the financial literacy foundation.

@kirby_journo

Latest

WealthWealth

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers speaking in Springwood after the LNP released there costing for the Federal election. Pic Annette Dew

Why tax on super’s unrealised gains will drive the rich offshore

Activist fund manager Geoff Wilson says federal Labor’s planned super tax will have enormous unintended consequences and he believes there is a better way forward.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

A vigil will be held at Murwillumbah tonight.

HESTA customers ‘imprisoned’ by super fund blackout

Industry super fund HESTA’s seven-week tech shutout of its customers exposes them to the vulnerabilities already identified in an industry battling issues of transparency.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos JANUARY 21, 2023: Sydney's rental crisis has reached new heights as renters complain of unfair price hikes.Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

How property tax changes would trigger higher rents

Independent research has revealed that cutting capital gains tax benefits for property investors would not only increase costs for landlords, but also for tenants.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos. JULY 28: Pedestrians cross Princes Bridge with Melbourne's skyline in the background during a cold and wet day as the city experiences an icy blast on July 28, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: NewsWire / Tamati Smith

Rate cuts, equity uncertainty help revive property play

The housing market is ripe with action, but there’s a new kind of investor – not the wealthier older Australian, rather the younger ‘rentvestor’.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

The shape of the country of Australia in the colours of its national flag recessed into an isolated white surface with a wad of folded Australian Dollar notes resting on it; ; superannuation saving generic

Tripled deeming rate clouds new super tax

A refreshed plan by Labor in the next parliament for a new tax on superannuation savings could mirror the ‘deeming rate’ for pensioners – but the rate would be three times higher.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

Cash rules: How the rich are riding out a rocky market

As an investor it’s always worth knowing what the big money is doing, and right now that means building up cash reserves to ride out market turmoil.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

A couple who have just signed up a mortgage after buying their first house. Generic first home buyers Picture: iStock.

Be warned, small home deposits are very risky

With just a 5 per cent deposit, first-home buyers face heightened risks and higher mortgage rates.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

Newspaper clippings and an image of US President Donald Trump are displayed on a desk as traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at the opening bell on April 9, 2025, in New York City. Wall Street stocks were mixed in early trading Wednesday as markets digested the latest tariff hike by the United States and retaliatory moves by China and the European Union. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

Markets will recover, but do you have time for that?

Are we looking at a crash or a V-shaped recovery? Learn the six things every investor should know.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) during afternoon trading on April 9, 2025 in New York. Wall Street stocks rocketed to close solidly higher Wednesday, with dramatic advances on all three major indexes as US President Donald Trump delayed steep new tariffs hours after they took effect. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 7.9 percent to 40,608.45, the broad-based S&P 500 Index rallied 9.5 percent to 5,456.90, and the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite Index jumped more than 12.2 percent to 17,124.97. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

Investors win round one in the tariff turmoil… now what?

Advisers say don’t change your investment settings, but this does not mean bargain-hunting won’t pay handsomely — and this week it’s been very profitable.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

Sad disappointed mature middle-aged couple family wife and husband counting funds, savings, declarations, investments,paperwork, financial documents, bankruptcy, court case, bills, pension at home. Stressed seniors generic

Mum and dad investors jumped into a falling market … now the wait

Everyday investors – pumped up by big returns from the Covid-19 crash – are now making big bets on the tariff war.

James Kirby

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/james-kirby/page/4