The truth about getting investment
Confidence and capacity are the real drivers of investment.
The Economy
Debt stress in mining towns vexes investors
Mortgage pain in towns hit by a commodities downturn is beginning to be felt in parts of the financial system.
Investors to vote against company boards without enough women
Company boards are on notice. The world's third largest asset manager will use its proxy voting powers to influence greater gender diversity.
Aussie stay-at-home mums need to get back to work, OECD says
Australia's solid labour market performance is sullied by its failure to fully tap the potential of women: those with young children, single mothers and females in their late 50s
There's no housing bubble in Australia, heads of the big four say
Soaring home prices in Australia's biggest cities don't necessarily mean the country is in the grip of a housing bubble, according to the heads of the big four banks.
Why not National Housing Lotto? Scattergun policy all the political rage
On the present trajectory of political fiddling about housing affordability, the odds are reasonable that Scott Morrison's second budget will include National Housing Lotto. It's not much worse an idea than some that have been suggested and apparently are about to be tried.
Brace for rate hike this year, Goldman says
Markets are tipping a one-in-three chance the RBA will start lifting rates this year, while Goldman Sachs says a move in 2017 is now more likely than not.
RBA digging in, showing signs of frustration
The Reserve Bank is increasingly certain the global economy is picking up and increasingly determined not to cut its cash rate again.
What's a woman really worth? The $345b value of unpaid work to Australia's economy
Why is it that a mother caring for her children produces no "measured" economic value, but the same mother hiring others to look after her children does?
RBA keeps cash rate at 1.5%, no sign of change
The Reserve Bank of Australia has held the cash rate steady at 1.5 per cent amid concern about what another cut would do to the housing market and amid signs the economy is picking up.
Retail sales bounce, but consumer spending lacklustre
Retail sales rebounded in January after two months of tepid outcomes, although the underlying pulse was one of sluggish household consumption.
ATO eye cafes, restaurants, beauty salons in illegal cash economy fight
An estimated 400 restaurants and cafés and hair and beauty salons will get a visit from the Tax Office this month.
Seven charts show exactly how much Australia's workforce has changed since 1911
What happened to the the job of "paid companion" or "inspector of nuisances" recorded in Australia's first national census in 1911?
Australia poised to seize world economic record
Australia is on the cusp of achieving something truly remarkable – not to mention unprecedented in modern world history. It will be worth celebrating.
Now for the good news: Life got better for Australians in 2016
The value of our collective wellbeing increased by $22 billion in 2016
Australian boardrooms in 2017: still like Mad Men?
When the media headlines hit about bad behaviour by men at the highest levels of corporate Australia, female board directors can't help but feel despondent.
The recession that never was, didn't happen... Phew
Fabulous news on the economy this week. The recession that never was, didn't happen. Phew. That's a relief.
OECD warns of house prices 'rout' if investors head for the doors
The OECD has warned of a "rout" in Australian house prices leading to a new economic downturn, saying both prices and household debt have reached "unprecedented highs".
Australia's growth comeback may not be so great after all
This week's rebound in GDP growth after a shock September quarter means the economy has now expanded for more than a quarter century, and is closing in on the record held by the Netherlands. But the smashing growth may not be quite as good as it seems.
Budget battle as Treasurer won't commit to saving mining windfall
Australia's top economic bureaucrat has begged the government not to spend the coming windfall from soaring coal and iron ore prices, saying if it did it would repeat the mistakes of prime minister John Howard and treasurer Peter Costello in the early 2000s.
Chickpeas to the rescue, as farmers drive national accounts
Peter Thompson had an unlikely saviour last year: the humble chickpea.
ACT economy bounces back in December quarter
The ACT's economy bounced back in the December quarter, growing 1.6 per cent, much faster than NSW and most other states.
Push for company tax cuts as CEOs get big pay is 'hollow'
Corporate Australia may have lost the debate on tax reform, says Australian Institute of Company Directors chairwoman Elizabeth Proust.
Cut the company tax rate, says Treasury boss John Fraser
Treasury boss John Fraser has implored Parliament to consider cutting the company tax rate, saying it would be "critical" to respond to international competition.
Current deficit account narrows sharply
The strong result means Australia is likely to technically avoid a recession.
The three Sydney districts generating a quarter of Australia's economic growth
A yawning growth gap has opened between our inner cities and the rest.
Chevron's multimillion-dollar tax bill appeal kicks off
An appeal against a multimillion dollar tax bill owed by multinational oil giant Chevron is taking place, and will have global implications for the way tax paid by large companies is assessed.
First current account surplus since 1970s seen
Australia could record its first current account surplus since the mid-1970s this year, economists say.
Company tax cut payoff will 'take years'
The Turnbull Government proposed company tax cut would cut national income for years before it boosted it and would never be self-funding, a new analysis from the Grattan Institute has found.
Cut in penalty rates another win for 'bizonomics'
In Australia, micro-economic reform has degenerated into a form of rent-seeking that's saying the way to a prosperous economy is to keep business – the people who create the jobs – as happy as possible.
Small Business
Never lose your glasses again
Entrepreneur Allen Liao launches his 'unlosable' glasses in Sydney backed by actor/comedian Stephen Fry.
Self-employment should be mandatory learning
Why basic business learning should be mandatory at schools and in higher education.