Latest
Budget handouts put interest rate cuts further out of reach
Economists have warned handouts that bring down bills will not rein in underlying inflation, undermining the government’s message that its budget will help the Reserve Bank.
- Updated
- Michael Read
The little-known budget figure you should care about
The figure, known as the ‘table of truth’, cuts through the spin and shows how the treasurer’s saving and spending decisions affect the bottom line.
- Michael Read
Blue-sky thinkers block the sun to fight climate change
It might sound like science fiction, but a mix of scientists and venture capitalists are working on plans to block the sun to slow global warming.
- Peter Ker and Lap Phan
Greens inflaming housing crisis
Readers’ letters on the Greens; Labor’s gas strategy; International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol; and Kerry Stokes putting an end to printed copies of The Australian Financial Review in WA.
- Exclusive
- Tax avoidance
Lendlease hit with $112m tax bill over retirement business
The property group has been hit with an initial $112 million bill from the Tax Office, in a dispute that could ultimately cost it more than $300 million.
- John Kehoe
Greens demand $2m threshold for super wealth tax
The Greens have a new list of demands in exchange for their support on Labor’s new tax on high balance super accounts.
- Updated
- Michelle Bowes
Opinion & Analysis
Gas critics are signing up for coal and candles
The climate movement needs to ask itself what is worse: gas in the new energy mix, or coal that lingers for longer.
Former Labor minister and economist
Why the world won’t respond to shocks as it did before
The world economy is fragmenting, with countries going in different directions. They will not react to frequent violent changes in the same ways.
Global financial commentator
Critics wrong about our clean energy ‘superpower’ plan picking winners
We share concerns about arbitrary government intervention, but our carbon pricing model is designed to minimise those risks.
On his third budget, Chalmernomics has finally emerged
The Albanese-Chalmers government embodies a short-term and emotive response to wage stagnation, not a rational one.
Economist
More From Today
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Gas critics are signing up for coal and candles
The climate movement needs to ask itself what is worse: gas in the new energy mix, or coal that lingers for longer.
- 1 hr ago
- Craig Emerson
- Opinion
- Global economy
Why the world won’t respond to shocks as it did before
The world economy is fragmenting, with countries going in different directions. They will not react to frequent violent changes in the same ways.
- Mohamed El-Erian
- Opinion
- Energy transition
Critics wrong about our clean energy ‘superpower’ plan picking winners
We share concerns about arbitrary government intervention, but our carbon pricing model is designed to minimise those risks.
- Ross Garnaut and Rod Sims
Yesterday
- Opinion
- Australian economy
On his third budget, Chalmernomics has finally emerged
The Albanese-Chalmers government embodies a short-term and emotive response to wage stagnation, not a rational one.
- Stephen Anthony
- Opinion
- Manufacturing
This is a bold opportunity to refocus Australia’s economy
The Future Made in Australia Act is not picking winners. It is about reshaping whole sectors around a mission of managing climate change.
- Mariana Mazzucato
- Opinion
- Narendra Modi
As India votes, doubt grows about Modi’s intentions
India’s prime minister is set to extend his power once the election results are known. That is likely to bring further tests for Australia and the world.
- James Curran
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Jim Chalmers rips up Paul Keating’s economic playbook
The treasurer is breaking from Labor’s previously claimed belief in the Hawke-Keating market-based economic model that helped deliver 30 years of prosperity.
- John Kehoe
This Month
- Opinion
- Trump's America
How Trump’s ‘imperial presidency’ will reshape the world
If Donald Trump wins in November, expect even greater strain on American institutions. But he’s unlikely to be an “imperial president” abroad.
- James Curran
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Tax inertia pushes budget towards a black hole
Redesigning the tax system against the principles of fairness, efficiency, sustainability and coherence would deliver us all with an economic dividend.
- Cherelle Murphy
Michele Bullock’s run of good news may be about to end
RBA governor Michele Bullock has proven a better communicator than her predecessor Philip Lowe. But her real test may still be yet to come.
- Ronald Mizen
- Opinion
- Public service
Why headcount matters when it comes to budgets
As any finance chief will attest, the number of bums on seats tells you most of what you need to know about an organisation’s underlying size and costs.
- Tom Burton
- Opinion
- South China Sea
China’s grim pattern in South China Sea needs a collective response
A quiet tussle is going on over China’s ambitions to control all of its neighbouring seas. Affected countries need to unite before China miscalculates.
- Jennifer Parker
- Exclusive
- Interest rates
RBA board split in doubt as Libs dig in
The impasse between Jim Chalmers and Angus Taylor means the new RBA interest rate setting board will not be up and running by its planned start date of July 1.
- Michael Read
This tree symbolises how Victoria became a financial basket case
After 300 years of withstanding the elements, the River Red Gum in Bulleen forced the North East Link to be redesigned as the cost of the project blows out by billions of dollars.
- Patrick Durkin
The world’s wiliest climate warrior? It’s not who you think
International Energy Agency boss Fatih Birol, a lifelong bureaucrat with roots in the oil industry, has made the net zero transition a personal mission.
- Hans van Leeuwen
- Exclusive
- Nuclear energy
Australia doesn’t need nukes: International Energy Agency boss
Global energy tsar Fatih Birol says Australia should play to its strengths in renewables, and there should be less emotion and politics in energy discussions.
- Hans van Leeuwen
- Opinion
- Mental health
Is it time to stop talking about mental illness?
I believe many young people are being encouraged to frame normal experiences as psychiatric conditions. There are even financial motivations.
- Peter Quarry
Budget tips business investment to slow
The recovery in business investment is tipped to slow markedly in federal budget forecasts, as a cooling economy forces firms to reassess capital expenditure plans.
- John Kehoe and Michael Read
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Labor locks gas firmly into energy transition
The Future Gas Strategy reaffirms a strong role for gas, but despite the title it is light on ideas to get there.
- The AFR View
Gas policy betrays Labor voters
Readers’ letters on the government’s plan to back gas until 2050; a call to arms from Perth; why it’s time to leave the low-tax silo; and why King Charles should phone Xi Jinping.
