This Month
Calling time on international student numbers
Australia’s universities and colleges are fighting plans to reduce international student numbers. Spurred by the housing crisis, the government thinks it has no choice.
- Jennifer Hewett
- 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
GST and gas show a government that’s still out of tune
A huge GST handout to WA and a report that gives a free pass to the state’s gas industry show how far parochial toadying in the west will go.
- Laura Tingle
- Opinion
- Critical minerals
Albanese’s troubled critical minerals dream
The Albanese government has high hopes for much more downstream processing of critical minerals. But the numbers aren’t adding up. What can change that?
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- China relations
It’s economically naive to cut China out of direct investment
There may be more “like-minded” investors out there for Australia’s resources sector, but will they be as competitive and efficient as China has proven to be?
- James Laurenceson
April
Chinese influence lingers in Solomons despite Sogavare ouster
The new Solomon Islands government is not expected to be as overtly hostile to Australia after Manasseh Sogavare declared he will not recontest the prime ministership.
- Andrew Tillett
- Opinion
- Property development
Why Australia can’t build enough new homes
The nation’s housing ambitions are way off target. That means the price of new homes and rentals will continue to climb, compounded by still high immigration numbers.
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- Domestic violence
Albanese confronts domestic violence crisis
Women are angry, and the prime minister is dodging criticism even as he calls an emergency meeting of national cabinet on domestic violence.
- Updated
- Jennifer Hewett
Why this apartment owner ditched real estate agents
Morgyn Bostock chose not to use an agent when she sold her home - and would happily do so again.
- Updated
- Gus McCubbing
Pro-China Solomon Islands PM fails to win majority
Manasseh Sogavare has failed to win a majority in parliamentary elections, setting the stage for coalition negotiations.
- Updated
- Ben Westcott
Super growers take on Woolies, Coles with private equity cash
Giant pension funds from Canada, Singapore and US private equity are behind super producers who account for half the $9.1 billion fruit and vegetable market. Bigger is better, and Australia is mirroring a global trend.
- Simon Evans and Carrie LaFrenz
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Jobs numbers pose a sticky conundrum
The Albanese government can only publicly welcome the strength of the jobs market, but a receding horizon for rate cuts is always difficult for political leaders eyeing their election prospects.
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- Critical minerals
Where Australia is getting it wrong on critical minerals
A new report argues that the government’s focus on domestic production and exports is failing to adequately help develop a secure network of supply chains with other countries.
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Forget Made in Australia: we should do the things we already do well
We can’t be sure what the industries of the future will be, so it’s more prudent to compete in fields where Australia already has a good reputation.
- Ed Shann
Business leaders blast pro-Palestine protests aimed at hurting economy
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry says pro-Palestine protests aimed at causing maximum economic damage are “un-Australian and disrespectful”.
- Brad Thompson
NGA seeks $60 million for sculpture park revamp
Major philanthropic support will fund a project to revitalise the gardens linking the National Gallery of Australia and Lake Burley Griffin.
- Tom McIlroy
Agents orange: inside parliament’s battle of the hall passes
Crossbenchers are the focus of everyone with a stake in contentious legislation. No wonder David Pocock has had enough.
- Updated
- Myriam Robin
- Opinion
- Middle East tensions
Like Biden, Labor is on its own Israel journey
Penny Wong wants a two-state solution, but the reality is Gaza is looking more like the US quagmire in Iraq
- Updated
- James Curran
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Why we need a different conversation about national security
In a time of misinformation and cultivated mistrust, talking directly with Australians outside the Canberra security bubble is essential.
- Rory Medcalf
- Exclusive
- Funding
Sydney start-up Honey Insurance lands blockbuster $108m US investment
After 305 meetings Honey has closed a huge series A funding round, but it had to head offshore to find the right investors.
- Paul Smith