Yesterday
High inflation may last another two years unless rates rise again
If Jim Chalmers does not use the budget to cool the economy, the RBA will have little chance of achieving its target without raising interest rates, say economists.
- Michael Read
This Month
Boosting investment needs more than taxpayer cash: Wesfarmers boss
Rob Scott said he was making major investments in value-added processing for lithium, but faced serious barriers from approvals processes.
- Carrie LaFrenz and Ronald Mizen
OECD warns sticky inflation means rates higher for longer
The warning came as CEOs deliver upbeat assessment of the economy and financial markets push out expectations for rate cuts to May or June 2025, potentially after the next federal election.
- Ronald Mizen, James Eyers, Lucas Baird, Simon Evans, Tess Bennett and Carrie LaFrenz
How three economists would fix the housing crisis
An economic adviser to the government has suggested a “quick win” to encourage older Australians to downsize and free up housing for younger families.
- John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Opinion
Chalmers’ recipe for friendly foreign investment ignores the basics
The treasurer has a grand new take on industrial policy, but there’s little evidence of the reforms that international investors seek.
- Jennifer Hewett
Chalmers: ‘Our job is to strike a series of fine balances’
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Wednesday took part in a Q&A at the Lowy Institute where he talked about economic security and Australia’s opportunities.
- Opinion
- Opinion
PM must pick his winners with more care
The Prime Minister has never seen a hi-viz project he didn’t like. But industry policy must be far more discriminating in a labour-short economy.
- John Quiggin
April
Budget surplus of $13b tipped, but Labor needs a ‘credible’ plan
It could be the second consecutive surplus for Labor and the first time that has happened in almost 20 years. But the longer-term outlook is increasingly bleak.
- Ronald Mizen
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Labor’s reforms will de-risk foreign investment
The overhaul in the budget will strengthen the review framework where we need to, streamline it where we can, and make it more transparent, writes Jim Chalmers.
- Jim Chalmers
- Opinion
- Opinion
Magic debt thinking collides with inflation and higher rates
Since the GFC, economists have suggested that using debt to finance government spending is a free lunch. But the tide has turned in the past two years.
- Kenneth Rogoff
Budget spending cuts must ‘take heat off’ interest rates
To limit the RBA’s interest rate rises, tens of billions of dollars in federal and state government expenditure must be unwound, economists say.
- John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Opinion
Australia’s last-mile inflation looks like the last 10 miles
The Albanese government took power promising to increase wages. It was a risky gamble that is not paying off.
- Richard Holden
- Exclusive
- Casinos
Blackstone’s Crown to shed 1000 jobs in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth
Job losses will be split between the corporate division and the three casino precincts. Crown says the decision was driven by economic-related pressures.
- Zoe Samios
Elon Musk makes surprise visit to China
Tesla CEO meets Chinese premier; Taylor sets inflation ‘test’ for Chalmers; Albanese faces backlash for speech at domestic violence rally. Follow updates live.
- Euan Black
Labor urged to restrict rather than ban non-compete clauses
Leading economists have urged the Albanese government to significantly restrict the use of non-compete clauses to revive Australia’s ailing productivity growth.
- Euan Black
Call to put fixing structural deficit at heart of budget policy
UNSW professor Richard Holden said Treasurer Jim Dr Chalmers had failed to adopt clear strategy in his first two budgets, which lacked accountability.
- Ronald Mizen
- Opinion
- Opinion
If Musk wins high stakes global battle, X could still lose the war
A court victory in the legal stoush over Australia’s eSafety commissioner’s take-down order might invite government intervention that bolsters regulation of the social media giants.
- Patrick Considine
Racing Victoria boss resigns after months of pressure
Andrew Jones steps down after intense scrutiny; Chalmers signals JobSeeker boost unlikely; Scott Morrison reveals anxiety battle. How the day unfolded.
- Updated
- Euan Black
Chalmers confronts a diabolical budget conundrum
Just a few months ago, the Australian economy was shaping up perfectly for the Labor government and its treasurer. Then came this week’s inflation data.
- Updated
- Ronald Mizen
Shadow of Bob Day clouds building sector as Collier Homes fails again
The former Family First senator’s WA building company, acquired out of liquidation in 2016, has once again gone under.
- Michael Bleby