Morrison sounds warning over growth as GDP forecasts turn negative
The Treasurer has begun preparing the ground for weak or negative economic growth in the March quarter.
The Economy
Jobless rate remains high as more women look for work
Unemployed draftsman Michael Dempsey wants a piece of the multibillion-dollar infrastructure boom that's happening around him, and he's making himself impossible to ignore.
No Australia, McDonald's would not like tax with that
McDonald's is considering whether it will need to restructure its operations to avoid getting hit by Diverted Profits Tax.
'Perfect storm': House prices fall for first time in 18 months
Australian house prices fell in May for the first time in 18 months, in an early sign lending restrictions are starting to damp demand.
Retail spending rebounds sharply to $25.9b
Australian retail spending rose 1Â per cent in April, beating market expectations of a modest rise.
Australia must fix its 'spectacular housing bubble', Citi warns
Australia is experiencing a "spectacular housing bubble", which needs to be addressed with tougher regulatory measures, said Willem Buiter, Citigroup's chief economist.
Man up, Malcolm, fill the budget's other big black hole
The obvious major missing ingredient in Scott Morrison's 'backflip' budget was the lack of actual tax reform - but there is another glaring black hole. Turnbull's leadership remains weak as long as he's unable to convince his backbenchers that it's OK to come out from under the lump of coal now, that we can move on from Abbott's whatever-it-takes.
End of housing boom set to hit blue collar jobs
The apparent end of the housing boom looks set to hit the employment market, with analysts betting the number blue-collar jobs being advertised will soon drop off.
Three charts that show how unhappy Aussie consumers are
Sentiment has remained negative this year all the way through May for the first time since the depths of the GFC in 2009, leaving retailers reeling and investors bearish on the sector.
Man who audits the tax office may review ATO
Tax commissioner Chris Jordan has announced an internal review of the Tax Office's policies and procedures following news that one of its highest ranking officers, Michael Cranston, allegedly abused his position as a public official.
ATO's troubles can't be swept under the carpet
The ATO and federal government want us to think its business as usual at the agency, but it's not.
Sydney and Melbourne property prices slip in May
There are signs of heat coming out of the housing market in Sydney and Melbourne.
Lucky country getting left behind as $A, shares lag
Pressure is building for the lucky country.
How our tax system doesn't hurt the ultra-rich
Tell me again about the terrible burden of our progressive tax system, of how the wealthy pay too much tax.
'No rose-coloured glasses': finally some GOOD news on the economy
In the past three budgets the Treasury has forecast a lift in economic growth and has been disappointed.
ATO to work with Plutus clients at centre of alleged tax fraud
Employers caught up in an alleged fraud ring accused of stealing $165 million can contact the Australian Taxation Office to find out if they will be liable for tax that wasn't paid because it was being siphoned off by a criminal syndicate, the agency says.
'Trivial' bank levy won't raise rates, top official says
The head of the Treasury has dismissed the impact of $6.2 billion budget levy on banks.
Retail trade data won't help outlook
The severe pressure on retail stocks will ramp up again this week as retail sales come in the spotlight.
How the budget scare was $150 billion too big
Before the budget Treasurer promised 'good debt' and 'bad debt'. What we got was more sensible.
World is sitting on a pensions time bomb: WEF
The retirement funding gap is expected to grow to the equivalent of $400,000 per person by 2050, adjusted for wage inflation, which is larger than the size of the global economy. Australia is one of the six countries with the biggest pensions.
Dislike of the word 'and' proves costly for star economist
The World Bank's chief economist has been stripped of his management duties after researchers rebelled against his efforts to make them communicate more clearly, including curbs on the written use of the word "and".
Growth forecast flattens as finishing line looms
Australia is set to stumble the moment it crosses the finish line.
Home is where the art is
I love Sydney and many other places around the country, but in my book you can only have one true home.
The Aussie family is endangered and that's not such a bad thing
Avocado on toast could be in hot demand well into the next decade as young Aussies spend their cash on travel and restaurants instead of having babies.
Moody's downgrades Hong Kong after China ratings cut
Moody's Investors Service downgraded Hong Kong's local and foreign currency issuer ratings just hours after it cut China's credit ratings for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Time for 'random audits' of bosses
Random audits of employers would be a more proactive approach in chasing down billions of dollars of unpaid superannuation, often to the nation's most vulnerable workers, says Inspector-General of Taxation Ali Noroozi.
Our forecasts aren't biased: Treasury secretary John Fraser
Treasury Secretary John Fraser has cleared the agency of being biased in its economic forecasts, arguing it has a similar track record in predicting the economy's future to other government or private sector experts.
Australia losing its economic vibrancy, boss of Orica warns
Australia risks a future looking like "France and not Singapore", the boss of explosives group Orica has warned
Everything's coming up rosy in Trump budget's economic scenario
The Trump administration sees the US economy achieving the rosiest of scenarios over the next decade.
ATO's integrity hit, says acting ATO boss
The integrity of the Australian Taxation Office has taken a hit, acting ATO boss Andrew Mills says.
Small Business
Greens introducing small business payments legislation
The Greens are moving to position themselves as the party of choice for small business.
Companies need to manage the work-at-home revolution
Those that excel at managing virtual workforces will have an advantage over clock-watchers.