Best odds in years. It's raining (vacant) jobs

It's easier to find a job than it has been in years and the odds are best in NSW.

Running out of gas but no easy answers

• COMMENT

Exporters have shipped a lot of extra gas overseas in addition to the gas they were contractually obliged to export.

RBA governor Philip Lowe signals the end of the road for interest rate cuts

Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe has handed over the baton of economic management, declaring there's not much more low interest rates can do to boost the economy.

Fairfax-Ipsos poll: 'No mistakes' Morrison has grander ambitions

• COMMENT

Two years in, we feel better about Scott Morrison than Joe Hockey, and with good reason.

The economy is picking up, and wages are about to climb: RBA governor Philip Lowe

Wages are about to stir, says Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe

Remove Medicare levy loopholes: ACOSS

Australia's Medicare levy is riddled with loopholes and should climb with income, as do tax rates, according to a Council of Social Service position paper to be released as the Senate decides whether or not to boost the levy to pay for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Surnames show elite jobs pass from generation to generation

• EXCLUSIVE

It's no easier to move from rags to riches in Australia than it used to be, and no easier than anywhere else, a new study of surnames finds.

Theft, fraud and glitter: shortcomings of postal survey revealed by ABS

The ABS will spend $6 million on the survey before the High Court decides next month whether it is legally valid.

If it gets up, the gay marriage postal plebiscite could break the ABS

• COMMENT

On a practical level, the ABS is the worst-placed organisation to conduct a postal plebiscite. Remember the census debacle?