Latest
Japan’s China paradox has lessons for Australia
Japan’s new prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, wants a more equal relationship with the US. That could spell trouble as Tokyo confronts the “deep threat” from China.
- James Curran
Big super’s obsession with data centres comes with an energy warning
AustralianSuper poured $2.2 billion into a US data centre company this week, but ESG experts warn the energy-hungry assets could compromise net zero targets.
- Hannah Wootton
Just one deal, $1m on consultants, board exodus: Vic SEC report card
Former premier Daniel Andrews set sky-high expectations for Labor’s plan to put taxpayer money into green energy investments that two years later have not been met.
- Gus McCubbing and Patrick Durkin
Australia’s world-beating jobs market to keep interest rates high
Economists say Australia has one of the strongest jobs markets in the world after employment growth hit a 16-month high.
- Updated
- Michael Read
For every $1 increase on loan repayments, rents go up 1¢: RBA
Analysing 13 years of tax returns from 2006-07 to 2018-19, the RBA found that for every $1 increase in interest repayments, investors raised rents by just 1¢.
- Michael Read
Taylor takes a swipe at RBA, Treasury for missing inflation outbreak
Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor also says the expansion of Jim Chalmers’ “care economy” – such as the $49 billion NDIS – has contributed to a productivity slump.
- John Kehoe and Michael Read
Opinion & Analysis
Victoria’s taxing and spending comes home to roost
Victoria could restore its reputation for financial discipline if it started running its infrastructure ambitions in a more efficient way.
Editorial
Australia is in the eye of an economic storm
The only course out of it is to raise the productive capacity of the economy, as we have done before. Stimulus policies have not worked.
Shadow Treasurer
Supply is the only fix for housing affordability
The fuss over the prime minister’s house purchase has highlighted the housing crisis in ways the government would not have wanted.
Editorial
Broken planning system slows home approvals
Readers’ letters on how to speed up housing starts; subcontractors and developers; Anthony Albanese’s home purchase; gas for Japan; climate migration; and Scott Morrison’s space job.
Contributor
Yesterday
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Victoria’s taxing and spending comes home to roost
Victoria could restore its reputation for financial discipline if it started running its infrastructure ambitions in a more efficient way.
- The AFR View
This Month
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Australia is in the eye of an economic storm
The only course out of it is to raise the productive capacity of the economy, as we have done before. Stimulus policies have not worked.
- Angus Taylor
Energy, manufacturers urge Bowen to rethink on gas
A call to include gas in the Capacity Investment Scheme has exposed divisions between the industry and Chris Bowen
- Phillip Coorey and Angela Macdonald-Smith
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Supply is the only fix for housing affordability
The fuss over the prime minister’s house purchase has highlighted the housing crisis in ways the government would not have wanted.
- The AFR View
‘A tax on jobs’: Cafes, bars, restaurants going belly up in Victoria
Independent economist Saul Eslake warns that a rise in hospitality insolvencies indicates the health of the Victorian economy is ‘deteriorating’.
- Gus McCubbing and Larry Schlesinger
It turns out Philip Lowe was right about finding a flatmate
Higher housing costs are forcing young people to stay at home with their parents and leading households to rent out spare rooms, RBA chief economist Sarah Hunter says.
- Michael Read
Broken planning system slows home approvals
Readers’ letters on how to speed up housing starts; subcontractors and developers; Anthony Albanese’s home purchase; gas for Japan; climate migration; and Scott Morrison’s space job.
- Opinion
- Universities in crisis
Five ways student caps will damage national security
The economic pitfalls have filled endless column inches, but what has not been discussed are the links between international student limits and national security.
- Craig Jeffrey and Michael Wesley
Australia’s government spending splurge (in eight charts)
Federal and state governments are in the middle of a once-in-a-generation spending spree that Westpac has likened to the mining investment boom.
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- Housing affordability
Albanese’s $4.3m home controversy is pure tall poppy syndrome
Financial success of public leaders is celebrated in the United States. But in Australia, it is political poison.
- John Kehoe
Labor weighs ban on hidden fees on airline and concert tickets
Labor is preparing to ban businesses from making it difficult to cancel subscriptions, add hidden fees to online purchases, and raise prices at the checkout.
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- The AFR View
The surcharge ban must lead to lower payment costs
The policy should instead lead to real downward pressure on payment service providers to cut overall costs. The ban should be the incentive to do so.
- The AFR View
ACL chief Melinda McGrath gets a bloody easy new bonus
As well as a lavish eight weeks of paid annual leave, she’ll receive a cash bonus of up to $2 million over the next two years.
- Myriam Robin
Time to catch up with QR code payments
Readers’ letters on a better way to pay; productivity in the mining industry; benefits of new merger laws; Japan’s gas demands; and a true Whyalla wipeout.
- Opinion
- US election
Why Democrats are nervous about Harris campaign
Behind all the US campaign razzmatazz, there is apprehension at the seemingly stalled momentum of the vice president’s reinvention to become their candidate.
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- Aviation
It’s time to take on our airport monopolists
The increase in landing slots at Sydney Airport should be the cue to reform the other passenger services controlled by monopolistic airports.
- Graeme Samuel
- Opinion
- Global economy
As Nobel Prize winners prove, strong institutions are good for us
The 2024 gong in economic sciences went to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James Robinson. Their studies have vital lessons for today’s democracies.
- Richard Holden
- Opinion
- Australian economy
How do we get back a lost decade of living standards?
Cracking the housing problem and empowering our economic institutions are two very good places to start.
- Chris Richardson
- Opinion
- Economics explained
The best tips for investing in markets (from economists)
Buy stocks when prices are low compared to dividends, and sell them when prices are high compared to dividends. Simple, right? But there’s always room for ambiguity …
- Richard Holden
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Councils are the obstacle as our cities grow
Sydney in particular needs councils who listen to the needs of the city and the economy, not the excessive fears of local NIMBYs.
- The AFR View
