Economy

ScoMo’s ‘gun to the head’ approach

TREASURER Scott Morrison has the crossbenchers in a headlock over $13 billion in savings he wants — and the PM supports his aggressive style.

Finance news you need to know today

BILLIONAIRE Microsoft founder Bill Gates has opened an account on Chinese messaging application WeChat and greeted his followers in Mandarin.

Treasurer threatens to hike taxes

TREASURER Scott Morrison has threatened to increase taxes if a raft of welfare cuts worth billions of dollars are blocked by the Senate.

RBA governor backs company tax cuts

THE Opposition’s attacks on the Turnbull Government’s push for corporate tax cuts have been dealt a blow overnight by RBA governor Philip Lowe.

Brexit clears major hurdle with ease

BRITISH politicians have approved the first stage of a bill empowering Prime Minister Theresa May to start pulling Britain out of the European Union.

China’s chance to take America’s place

PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s decision to ditch the TPP has given China a chance to take America’s place in the deal. Malcolm Turnbull says it could happen.

PM taunts Trump with China push

A DAY after US President Donald Trump ditched the TPP, Malcolm Turnbull has opened the door for China to move on in.

You can bet your houses on Don

PRESIDENT-elect Donald Trump could inadvertently give Australian homeowners a leg up by triggering an interest-rate cut within the first few months of his presidency.

‘Hard Brexit’: Britain reveals risky plan

BRITISH Prime Minister Theresa May is seeking a “hard” Brexit in her negotiations with the EU. Here’s what that means.

First home buyers still frozen out

INVESTORS are boosting activity in the housing market meaning the Reserve Bank is unlikely to cut interest rates this year, economists say.

British PM promises ‘clean break’

IN HER most detailed Brexit speech so far, British prime minister Theresa May reveals what the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU will look like.

Investors must prepare for a wild ride

YEEHAW! Aussie investors and super fund members have been enjoying a rollicking ride on the sharemarket in recent weeks. Can it last?

Low-rate love affair on the rocks

HOME buyers and property investors have enjoyed six blissful years of falling mortgage interest rates, but many forecasters believe the next rates move is up.

$110k grant before sale to Ley

A LIBERAL party donor has denied there was a direct link between his company receiving a grant six months before he sold his unit to Sussan Ley.

Finance news you need to know today

CITIZENS of this European country have got it made, with the government kicking off its basic monthly income experiment— $815 each, no strings attached.

ScoMo says: Yes, we can tough it out

TREASURER Scott Morrison says he has restored confidence in the Australian economy, even predicting a narrow $1 billion surplus come 2020-21.

Morrison slammed on ‘zombie’ savings

TREASURER Scott Morrison has defended his mid-year budget review as Labor claimed it was ‘wafer-thin’ and gave it a ‘Triple-F’ rating.

Cash crackdown ‘a triumph’

VENEZUELA’S president said Sunday that the sudden decision to scrap the country’s most-used currency bill was an economic triumph.

Government faces Budget embarrassment

AUSTRALIA risks losing its AAA credit rating today, if the midyear budget review shows our economic position has deteriorated over the past six months.

AAA call hinges on budget update

CREDIT rating agencies issued a warning months ago about our economy, and now Australia’s AAA rating could be gone by Christmas.

America finally raises interest rates

THE US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates for the first time in a year, signalling a faster pace of increases in 2017.

Is Australia headed for recession?

FINANCE Minister Mathias Cormann has rejected the claims after it emerged that the economy saw its first decline since March 2011 in the September quarter.