NBN sets sights on 'significant turning point'
NBN Co believes its network build will be halfway complete by the end of this financial year, as its roll out moves into metropolitan areas.
The Economy
The big worry for CEOs around the world
The world's chief executives are shrugging off worries around global volatility and are increasingly confident their businesses will grow in the next year.
Pay a key symbol as inequality dominates Davos
Chief executive pay has become a powerful symbol of the widening gap between the winners and losers created by globalisation, and boards must put more focus on justifying the bonuses they pay executives amid a backlash against free-market policies.
Chance and incompetence - our recipe for success
Where does the time go? This year will mark the 10th anniversary of the onset of the global financial crisis.
Are we in a housing bubble? No one really knows
House prices are out of control in some Australian capitals. And this week comes a proposal that this should be countered by halting interest rate cuts — a move that would not only fail to solve the problem but also have detrimental impact on the rest of the country, where housing is not booming.
'Vicious cycle': the biggest global risks over the next decade
Rising income inequality is the most important underlying trend determining global events, according to the WEF's annual assessment of global risks. For business, the biggest risk is the potential for cyber attacks.
Business chiefs more cautious in 2017
Fresh from a year that delivered major political shocks and proved tougher than expected, Australian business leaders are taking a cautious approach to 2017.
Why most economists are so worried about Trump
It's the double whammy that worries economists, that Trump's populist pose assigns less value to economic expertise, while also creating the conditions under which it's most likely to be needed.
The debt pile fuelling Sydney's property price growth
Here are some excellent and, to some, disheartening, maps of the median house price in Australia's largest and most expensive capital city, Sydney.
What we splashed our money on in the lead-up to Christmas
Hardware performed strongly in the lead-up to Christmas, attracting lots of shoppers, but electrical and recreational goods struggled.
Retail sales stumble in November
Economists are hopeful that a reasonable Christmas shopping period will make for a constructive quarter of consumer spending and help stave off fears of a recession, despite "tepid" retail sales growth in November.
'Alarming levels of financial illiteracy' across Australia
Soaring property prices is creating a legion of new 'sophisticated investors' who could be pushed into riskier financial products.
Governments are bystanders as inequality festers
While wealth inequality has fallen across countries, within countries it has increased.
Housing approvals jump, but trend reversal not expected
Housing approvals rebounded strongly in November, but the data is unlikely to herald a change in a declining trend from 2016's peaks, economists said.
Building slows for third straight month
Construction activity finished the year weak as home building wound down in December.
Sharks and ladders: What is saving an Australian life worth?
How much is it worth to save an Australian life? The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet says not more than $4.2 million, on average.
Interest rate cuts not win-win for all
The Reserve Bank is aware it is hurting retirees with lower interest rates. But it's all part of the plan.
'Double whammy' lifts economy beyond recession
Australia recorded its first trade surplus in almost three years as Chinese demand pushed up prices for its two biggest exports, iron ore and coal.
Company tax cuts wrong move, says Costello
Proposed cuts to company tax have come under fire from former federal treasurer Peter Costello for being less effective at boosting the economy than personal tax cuts.
Australia's new five speed property market
2016 was meant to be the year the housing bubble started to seriously deflate.
Why euphoria could turn to a credit crunch in 2017
Against the backdrop of Brexit and the 'Trump bump', another turbulent year is predicted.
Rising populism won't trump trade deals
The pursuit of free trade agreements remains a strong priority of the federal government in the face of a rising populist protectionism, particularly from US President-elect Donald Trump.
Want a bold 2017 prediction? Nothing will change
The lack of easy, costless answers suggests that, come next January, the world will remain in much the same place it is now - a muddle.
Banks should bankroll ASIC, say super funds
The $400 billion industry superannuation sector is pushing for the big banks to bear the "lion's share" of funding the corporate watchdog.
China's bubble squeezing taking its toll
China's manufacturing sector expanded for a fifth month in December, but growth slowed a touch more than expected in a sign that government measures to rein in soaring asset prices are starting to have a knock-on effect on the broader economy.
Face time with strangers can boost economy
Human contact is an important part of health and our prosperity.
Ironing out the productivity wrinkles
Multiply the number of shirts worn in Australia by the time it takes to remove their natural wrinkles, and you pretty much have the national productivity crisis laid out on your ironing board.
Two centuries of economic development courtesy of the Industrial Revolution
One of the small pleasures of my year was watching the deft political manoeuvrings of Thomas Cromwell in the TV miniseries of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall.
2016 a wake up call on executive pay
Global investment funds say 2016 should serve as a wake-up call for Australian boards on the issue of executive pay, with some company executives paying themselves too well.
Why we keep buying presents no one needs
Spend much time with economists around this time of year, and you will hear about the dreadful inefficiency of exchanging gifts. But there's a higher logic to the gift economy.
Small Business
Are shoplifters getting it too easy?
Lax security was all too evident in the holiday sales rush.
How to attract top talent to your small business
Luring away good workers from the big listed companies takes persistence.