The RBA theory that isn't working
As the gap between Australian and American rates narrows, other things being equal, the Aussie dollar should weaken against the greenback. The problem is that the theory isn't working.
The Economy
Business conditions remain upbeat
A measure of business conditions eased just a touch from decade highs in May with growth reported across all sectors.
Australia, Canada: Worlds apart, same sad story
The abrupt end to the commodities supercycle drove the RBA to join the global currency war.
News Corp loses $15 million tax case appeal
Australia's highest-risk taxpayer has lost an appeal in the Federal Court on a $15 million tax bill relating to interest income.
Stormy times for an economy in the doldrums
There's no denying the economy has slowed down, by far more than we were expecting. But don't conclude it's likely to subside into recession any time soon.
Home loans fall for third month in a row
The fall is fuelling speculation of a property downturn following a crackdown on investor loans.
Trade surplus walloped by Cyclone Debbie
Australia's trade surplus collapsed in April as damage wreaked by a massive cyclone in Queensland almost halved exports of coal.
Concerns grow about house prices slide as economic growth sinks
OECD names house prices as the biggest domestic threat to Australia's economic growth.
Australia breaks GDP record
Australia has broken the record for the longest run of uninterrupted growth in the developed world, figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics have revealed.
Australia stumbles to economic record as cautious Reserve Bank leaves rates on hold
Treasurer Scott Morrison has warned the economy's future is not yet secure as Australia prepares to stumble across the line on Wednesday to grab the world record for the longest period of consecutive growth.
Don’t fret the GDP score – watch the game instead
It looks like déjà vu all over again for Scott Morrison as he fears another weak gross domestic product figure on Wednesday.
RBA keeps interest rates on hold at historic low of 1.5%
The Reserve Bank of Australia has left the cash rate at a record low 1.5 per cent for the 10th consecutive month.
Review of ATO people, processes 'inevitable': Noroozi
A review into the people and processes of the ATO following the alleged abuse of position by one of its highest ranking officers is "inevitable", Inspector-General of Taxation Ali Noroozi says.
Lowest current account deficit since 2001, still disappoints
Australia's current account deficit narrowed to its smallest in more than 15 years last quarter courtesy of surging prices for its major resource exports, providing a bulwark for the country's endangered triple-A credit rating.
'Spike in stress': Australians curb spending as debt balloons
There are clear signs that the consumers who have driven much of Australia's growth are running out of puff.
Ending secret identities the 'new frontier' in fighting tax evasion
Revealing the secret identifies behind shell companies and opaque trusts is the "new frontier" in fighting tax evasion, says the OECD's head of tax Pascal Saint-Amans.
Company profits up 40 per cent, wages barely at all
Company profits grow 40 per cent while wages grow 0.9 per cent
Seven out of 10 Australians believe kids will be worse off
Australians are some of the most pessimistic in the world, with seven out of 10 believing their kids will end up worse off than they are.
Job ads rise for third straight month
Job advertisements rose for a third straight month in May, a promising sign for continued labour demand even as official figures on employment remain patchy.
RBA becomes a lonely rate-cut candidate
Market bets on an interest-rate cut by the end of this year have doubled in the past month.
Trade, manufacturing to boost global growth: World Bank
The World Bank has maintained its forecast that global growth will improve to 2.7 per cent this year, citing a pick-up in manufacturing and trade, improved market confidence and a recovery in commodity prices.
When profits eat wages we all pay the price
It's too early to be sure, but not too early to suspect that, if we and the other developed economies keep travelling the way we are, conventional wisdom about what constitutes good economic policy may soon need to be turned on its head.
The one thing treasurers must not do
No-one ever got rewarded for putting the economy into recession.
Call to limit cash transactions from Black Economy Taskforce
We won't go cashless, but we could see limits and restrictions on cash transactions, says Black Economy Taskforce chairman Michael Andrew.
Parents have to stop telling girls they don't get maths
How do you battle perceptions that girls are bad at maths and science when the people telling you that may be your family?
Are the wheels really falling off Australia's economy?
There's nothing like losses to focus an investor's mind.
How Treasury spends billions without hitting key deficit
One of the most significant, but least remarked upon, features of this year's budget is Malcolm Turnbull's decision to greatly expand the government's involvement in the construction of public infrastructure.
Property market scaremongers need to pipe down
There's nothing like a prominent visiting economist spruiking imminent ruination to get plenty of media attention.
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.
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.
Small Business
Australia's last car maker is taking their lead from Tesla
The big car manufacturers have left Australia but Tomcar's owners say the future is niche.
Cracks in the $60 million cult of Thermomix
It's the kitchen appliance that's claimed to be "life changing".