Why this was the year economists all got wrong
Mining millions, but weak growth. No wonder our panel failed to predict 2016-17.
The Economy
Pick a card. The chance of a recession is 1 in 5
Australia faces a "small but non-zero" chance of a recession in the next two years according to the BusinessDay expert forecasting panel.
Rate cut just as likely as a rate rise, economists predict
Australia is more likely to face an interest rate cut than an increase in the year ahead, a survey of 25 economists by Fairfax Media has revealed, as low wage growth, a high Australian dollar and a cooling housing market push the Reserve Bank towards a new record low cash rate.
Flat shares, housing and income means year of muddling through
It'll be a year of making do, with the economy too flat to justify a rate rise, in the view of the BusinessDay forecasting panel.
A trillion dollars in debt, but no 'banana republic'
Three decades ago, Treasurer Paul Keating, warned Australia may become a “banana republic”. Today we are far from it.
A ray of light as economists feel better about Trump
One year on, and the mood about Trump has changed.
'Demographic tsunami' set to keep property prices high
There's no shortage of housing forecasts but none quite like this one: rather than the key markets cooling, they are about to be hit by a demographic tsunami.
ATO warns 60,000 Uber and ride-sharing drivers
One-third of drivers involved with ride-sharing services such as Uber are yet to register for GST or to fully declare their income.
'Completely wrong' and 'stuffed up': The problem with schools and universities
This week we take a deep dive into the national education debate to reveal what really needs to be done to improve our schools and universities.
The important questions the census didn't ask
Some of the census questions are next to useless.
Job vacancies jump 1.7% in May quarter
Private sector job vacancies rose 1.5 per cent to 170,500, and public sector vacancies rose 3.2 per cent to 18,700.
Tax time: top work-related expenses ATO's eyeing
Higher-than-expected tax deductions relating to cars, travel, clothing, internet and mobile phones, and self-education expenses are among the top claims the tax man will be keeping a close eye on this tax time.
Ignore the economist who cried wolf
Nothing like a former Reserve Bank board member saying the RBA could hike interest rate eight times in the next couple of years to get attention.
RBA could raise rates eight times in next two years
The Reserve Bank could increase interest rates eight times in the next two years, former board member John Edwards said.
Probe into how ATO responds to staff's 'inappropriate behaviours'
The Australian Taxation Office's high-profile area targeting high-wealth individuals that former deputy commissioner Michael Cranston headed will be a key focus in a wide-ranging review of the agency.
Tragedy and triumphs of modern family life revealed
The 2016 census reveals what's going on behind the curtains of Australia's 10 million homes.
Meet the face of a fast-changing, optimistic Australia
Eva Zhuang is the face of a fast-changing Australia.
Census reveals Sydney's haves and have-nots
Families incomes in inner Sydney are nearly $40,000 a year higher than the rest of the city.
Milestone passed as nation becomes more Asian, less European
Australians born of Australian parents will soon be a minority.
Australia, look how much you’ve changed in 50 in years
Compared with the country described in the 1966 census we're more Asian, less Christian and more openly gay.
'They have to have alternatives': Census highlights rent, not mortgage, stress
The 2016 census spotlights the growing proportion of people in Australia for whom renting is their normal relationship to the housing market.
More than 1600 people a week: Census reveals how we have grown
Melbourne is set to overtake Sydney as Australia's most populated city, for the first time in history the majority of Australians born overseas are from Asia not Europe and there has been a 39 per cent surge in the number of people declaring themselves in a same-sex relationship.
If Australia were a village of 100 people here is what we would look like
The first Australian 2016 census results are out, revealing a snapshot of the nation.
Properties empty as home ownership sinks to 60-year low
Home ownership hits lows not seen since the fifties, while a record number of properties are vacant.
Taking an Uber for work? Your boss may have to pay tax on it
Employers letting their staff use ride-sharing services such as Uber, rather than a licensed taxi, could be liable for fringe benefits tax, the Australian Taxation Office says.
Australian census results at a glance
The first 2016 Australian census results have been released. Here are the key take outs.
Artificial intelligence could be the answer for productivity woes
San Francisco Federal Reserve president John Williams says monetary policy is back to being "boring" but the advent of AI will keep economics interesting.
BIS' debt bomb scenario unlikely
The rapid 250 basis point rise in domestic interest rates that would leave Australian households facing a mammoth debt servicing burden is unlikely to occur, economists said.
'Vulnerable': Australian households sent a warning
The BIS has warned that Australian households are among the most vulnerable to a sharp rise in global interest rates.
Next financial crisis to hit with a 'vengeance'
Global banking watchdog says warning lights are flashing red as debt ratios rise and the Fed in US lifts interest rates.
Small Business
Your small business end-of-financial-year checklist
Eight things you need to tick off.
The bill Nomads are coming for their discounts
Business needs to prepare for a bigger rush of discount-seeking consumers.