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Robert Gottliebsen has spent more than 50 years writing and commentating about business and investment in Australia. He has won the Walkley award and Australian Journalist of the Year award. He has a place in the Australian Media Hall of Fame and in 2018 was awarded a Lifetime achievement award by the Melbourne Press Club. He received an Order of Australia Medal in 2018 for services to journalism and educational governance. He is a regular commentator for The Australian.

@BGottliebsen

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COMMENTARYCommentary

President Donald Trump speaks after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Washington. (Pool via AP)

‘I congratulate Trump’ on his latest tariff chess move

Just as Australia remains grateful for the US defence umbrella, it makes sense for Donald Trump to recognise the new relationship. Let’s talk about it.

Robert Gottliebsen

COMMENTARYCommentary

Opposition leader Peter Dutton gestures as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left, watches during their TV debate in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (Jason Edwards /Pool Photo via AP)

Urgent warning: Here’s why we must tackle our currency crisis

I put on the table three essential policies to help us prepare for tough times and curb the inflation boosts of a currency fall. One was inspired by the wisdom of a truckie in the first leaders’ debate audience.

Robert Gottliebsen

CommentaryCommentary

President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, Monday, April 7, 2025. (Pool via AP)

It may not be popular, but here is the economic reason for Trump’s tariff play

Today I deliver controversial but underlying good news, there is an economic justification for what Donald Trump is doing, and he is not mad.

Robert Gottliebsen

COMMENTARYBusiness

FLINT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign event, his first since a man carrying a rifle was arrested Sunday near where Trump was playing golf at his club in Florida, in the Dort Financial Center on September 17, 2024 in Flint, Michigan. Trump was playing an unscheduled game with real estate developer Steve Witkoff at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach when the man was spotted by security. Scott Olson/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by SCOTT OLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Here’s how Trump hopes his plan will play out

In President Donald Trump’s perfect world, a 10 per cent tariff on imports would eventually become the norm, creating a global GST that lowers taxes on income. But the pain is very real now.

Robert Gottliebsen

CommentaryCommentary

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 02: U.S. President Donald Trump, gives pens to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to hand out to members of the audience after signing executive orders imposing tariffs on imported goods during a

Liberation Day could work for Australia, if we play smart on defence

It’s vital Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton do not turn this into a ‘who can hit Trump the hardest’ competition but rather look at how we can turn it to our advantage.

Robert Gottliebsen

CommentaryCommentary

NCA 2025 Federal Election Liberal Bus 01/04/2025Melbourne AustraliaLeader of the Australian Liberal party Peter Dutton visits the suburb of Berwick in Melbourne to meet with community members who have been affected by local crime on the campaign trail for the 2025 federal election.Picture Thomas Lisson / Newswire

Dutton must change his tune amid business shock over polling

The business and investment communities are shocked opinion polls show voters prefer Anthony Albanese. Here’s what Peter Dutton needs to do to stem the tide.

Robert Gottliebsen

COMMENTARYCommentary

EMBARGOED FOR INQUIRER 29 MARCH. 27 March 2025; a photo comp of Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton on a red, black and blue background. Sources: supplied & iStock. Ratio 16:9 for DIGITAL.

Watch out for hidden ‘savers tax’ if Labor wins the election

If the Albanese government is returned to power, we must prepare for Labor’s new signature tax on unrealised capital gains to spread and impact a lot more than currently promised.

Robert Gottliebsen

COMMENTARYBusiness

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton will go head-to-head in the federal election. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Six crisis points to know before you vote

Albanese and Dutton are failing to inform disillusioned voters of the very grim outlook ahead. Here are six crisis points.

Robert Gottliebsen

COMMENTARYBusiness

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - March 25, 2025: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Own goal, Chalmers’ budget to hit family-owned businesses

The value of one of the fastest-growing, family-owned segments of the Australian business community – medium-sized service businesses – is set to be reduced by the budget measures.

Robert Gottliebsen

COMMENTARYBusiness

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton both gave their visions for Geelong in videos provided for the Future Geelong event

Seven strategies for Dutton to secure election victory

Here are seven strategies Peter Dutton should adapt to win the upcoming federal election, and readers can score his upcoming budget reply and later statements against these benchmarks.

Robert Gottliebsen

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/robert-gottliebsen