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

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - 24 JULY 2024: Clouds are seen above the Melbourne skyline as people walk through Albert Park. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Watch out, distressed properties are starting to rise

Higher for longer interest rates have triggered a rebound in distressed sales, with Victoria leading the pack.

James Kirby

wealthWealth

senior couple having a good time at the pool. Retirees retirement generic.

For the sake of the young – tax the retired more

An ambitious plan to rebalance the pension system in favour of younger Australians hinges on getting those in retirement to pay more tax.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

Cbus Chair Wayne Swan during the 2024 CBUS Annual Members Meeting on 28th November, 2024.

The risky business of seeking financial advice

The chances of finding good, independent financial advice at a reasonable cost are once again under threat.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

At Home 2023: April 1 issue, Medium Rare/Aust Seniors partnership, 22 steps for designing a forever home. Picture: iStock

Forever home, meet forever mortgage

Lenders and borrowers offering 40-year mortgages are an unfortunate sign of the new reality – even if property prices are falling.

James Kirby

WealthFinancial Services

Illustration and Painting. Picture: iStock

Watch out, here comes the 40-year mortgage

Big lenders are launching longer life home loans to capture new business and get around existing limits set by regulators.

James Kirby

HealthWealth

Generic dentist photo for SAweekendDentist working in dental clinic with patient in the chair.

Patients shift to offshore surgery as health crisis deepens

A dramatic bust-up between hospitals and health insurers over soaring costs is set to accelerate a rush for risky overseas medical treatment.

James Kirby

EXCLUSIVEFinancial Services

Cbus scandal: I’m so sorry, says Swan

Wayne Swan has apologised ‘unreservedly’ for the excessive delay in paying millions of dollars to grieving families in an extraordinary address to the super giant’s annual meeting.

James Kirby

WealthWealth

Jim Chalmers with mentor and former boss Wayne Swan in an image posted to social media over one year ago. Picture: LinkedIn

Investors switching out of troubled industry fund Cbus

Financial advisers and their clients aren’t standing by as industry fund Cbus is mired in a string of scandals; they have been moving their money out.

James Kirby

HealthMedical

Patients pay in battle between health insurers and private hospital operators.

What are insurers and hospitals fighting about?

A heated brawl between private health insurers and the nation’s hospitals has gone public. Something has to give. So far it’s the patients who look likely to pay more, no matter who wins.

James Kirby

GOLD OR BASIC?Medical

Review your private health insurance cover to ensure it suits your needs.

It’s always going to hurt, but there’s a way to reduce your health insurance bills

While health insurers are in a fight with private hospitals, it’s a good time to review your own cover. Here’s how you can cut your bills.

James Kirby

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/james-kirby/page/7