Our Team

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

p19wgmar. Saturday October 27 has the highest number of auctions scheduled for Melbourne in past two years. 21 Terrara Road, Vermont, goes under the hammer. Around 100 people attended the auction. There was only 1 bidder on the day. The property was passed in at 2 million dollars. Generic auctioneer shoot.

Melbourne’s property market has a pulse but is this a revival?

Weighed down by a high-taxing state government, Melbourne has been a basket case for property investors so a one-month upswing has set the industry buzzing.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

Solving the super riddle of how much you really need

Widely varying calculations on how much you should have in super do little but confuse most investors – you need to do something different.

James Kirby

Property prenupsBusiness

Traps and tricks to protect family wealth

Property-based agreements are soaring as millions of older Australians want to protect money handed over to adult children to buy a home. Here’s how to do it properly.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

Pedestrians walk past a Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd, bank branch in Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2011. Photographer: Sergio Dionisio/Bloomberg

Could CBA shares plummet?

The superstar stock of the ASX may be sailing towards a cliff edge, with most experts believing it is heading for a fall.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

TOPSHOT - Australiaâs Reserve Bank Governor, Michele Bullock, speaks during the Monetary Policy Decision media conference in Sydney on February 18, 2025. Australia's central bank cut its key interest rate on February 18 for the first time in more than four years, but warned global turmoil could derail further easing. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

The days of risk-free investing are coming to an end

Income-seeking investors will now be forced to take more risks … and nothing is guaranteed.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

More homes and jobs are set to be available near major transport hubs as the NSW Government releases its master plans for rezonings across Sydney. Pictured is Bella Vista.

Lower rates to help city property markets

The Reserve Bank’s rate cut, coupled with a surprise tightening of vacancy rates, should see Australia’s major cities avoid further property price drops.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

Financial money trap, risk in investment, ponzi scheme or business pitfall concept, businessman investor running and jumping into lore money pitfall or mouse trap with big money dollar sign bait.

Drop in savings rates will drive investors to take risks

Conservative investors – especially older Australians – could be tempted to look for riskier homes for their savings as bank deposit rates begin to fall.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - November 29, 2024: Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers holds a meeting with the State TreasurerÃ¢â¬â¢s at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Ten ways to save our super system

The reputation of big super funds hit the rocks in 2024. Here is what needs to happen this year if we want the system to improve.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

Riverside centre, as well as the outdoor surrounding public areas,, Brisbane 123 Eagle st

Lower-taxing Queensland’s soaring property performance

Queensland has overtaken its more populous rival Victoria to become Australia’s most consistent performer on price in residential property investment. So what has brought this about?

James Kirby

WealthWealth

Annuities: A promising idea gets tangled in flawed thinking

A report about an alternative supplying retirees income for life had merit until it said it should be compulsory for the wealthier. So should the government get into the annuities business?

James Kirby

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/james-kirby/page/5