Pay down debt don't fritter dough on tax cuts
I still remember a man standing in front of my mother wanting to repossess our fridge - I've been wary of debt ever since.
The Economy
Only half of Australia’s energy resources economically viable: report
A study has found only 3.52 million petajoules of the nation’s total demonstrated resources of 6.28 million petajoules are potentially viable for development.
Powering on: Five ways businesses can cut their electricity bills
Electricity price shocks are the main concern for Australian businesses, but energy analysts say there are five ways companies can drive down power costs.
'Low wage growth diminishes our shared prosperity': RBA governor Philip Lowe
The Reserve Bank Governor has warned as the Coalition and Labor turn the issue into a key policy test of the May budget.
Who's creating the value here?
After the launch of Amazon, and in the wake of the Royal Commission, the only solution is a reset, writes Nicholas Stuart.
Reserve Bank keeps interest rates on hold
It's now 21 months in a row that interest rates have stayed put at 1.5 per cent.
'Captain Sunshine' says Australia is not living up to its solar potential
Australia can be the first 100 per cent renewables-powered continent, but it needs the political will to do so, a global solar expert says.
AEMC says grid operating to standards, prompts call for new standards
The AEMC's check of the electricity grid's reliability has found the system is working so well current standards should be extended for another seven years.
Others would skim the cream; Why ditching $1 milk won't help farmers
A two-year official inquiry has found farmers are suffering from a lack of power but it's not supermarkets holding the cards.
Knaves and fools: Trade protection is a comedy of errors
Protection doesn’t save jobs, it just attempts to save jobs in the favoured industry by reducing jobs in all other industries.
The best paid jobs for men and women, but mind the gap
Female brain surgeons earned $220,000 less than their male counterparts last year. Actuaries and judges didn't fare much better.
Are our politicians really up to the task
The Productivity Commission does have an agenda, but it always deserves an audience, not least right now.
Prices have improved, but the gas market is still broken, ACCC finds
Despite ongoing reforms, the east coast gas market is still in a bind, a new Australian Competition and Consumer Commission report has found.
Better not to call it feta: Farmers find dropping name whey to go
About 10 years ago, Julie and Sandy Cameron from Meredith Dairy made a pre-emptive call about their cheese products that looks increasingly wise.
Why can't we speed up our acceptance of recent migrants?
If we want to keep this country growing instead of going backwards, the smartest thing we can do is to give people a chance.
'Excessive incentives': Australia's $26 billion missed opportunity
Australia is on track to match Qatar as the world's biggest liquefied natural gas exporter next year. The boost to the budget bottom line? Virtually nil.
Soft inflation supports rates on hold
This week's soft inflation print supports the mainstream view that the Reserve Bank of Australia keeps the cash rate on hold until late 2019.
Sydney city blackout 'a close run thing', energy transmission boss says
Only luck and quick thinking avoided a blackout of Sydney following fires that ripped through the city’s south earlier this month.
Want to boost the economy by $60b? Get more women into jobs, says KPMG
Improving workforce participation rates for women could boost the country’s economic growth by $60 billion over the next 20 years, according to a KPMG report.
'I'm truly concerned': AEMO chief warns on rooftop solar
The rise of rooftop solar has helped drive down electricity costs for many Australians but AEMO chief warns those still on the grid have been punished with higher prices.
There's more to Asia than just China, ANZ tells Aussie farmers
Australian agribusinesses and farmers have been reminded that the Asian market is far, far bigger than just China.
'Can they do what they wish?' UN heavyweight warns on Facebook's power
Francis Gurry, who heads the United Nation’s World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), wants greater privacy when it comes to personal data.
Banks' misbehaviour shows power of KPIs
From the chief executives and company directors to middle managers, it’s not the shareholders’ pockets they’ve been so keen to line, it’s their own.
Interest-only mortgage holders face $7000 a year hit: RBA
The RBA says borrowers with a typical interest-only home loan face a $7000 jump in their annual mortgage costs when their interest-only period ends.
Leave nothing but huge amounts of money. Expect only grandchildren.
More and more mums and dads are coming to the aid of their first home buyer children.
'Getting risky': global finance chiefs see trouble ahead
Record global debt, China's slowdown and the risk of a trade war dominated discussions at the IMF and World Bank spring meetings in Washington.
Tax cuts, higher wages: Budget 'raining revenue', says Deloitte Access
The budget will be hit with a deluge of revenue, says Deloitte Access Economics.
ACT economy escapes 'Barnaby impact', topping nation for growth
The capital's rapid growth comes amid the best world economic conditions this decade.
Bruny Island solar trial a microcosm for future energy system
A 'smart' solar and battery trial on an island off Tasmania is giving Australia a possible glimpse of its energy future.
How New Zealand helped Australia achieve its 25-year economic dream
Over a quarter of a century, the Reserve Bank has kept average inflation at exactly 2.5 per cent - exactly what it set out to do.
Small Business
Dirty birds: Red Rooster, Oporto franchisees on 'verge of bankruptcy'
Claims made to the franchise inquiry that high cost of goods and conflicts of interests are driving franchisees into the ground.
Are banks too big for boards to govern?
Debate needed on different models of financial-services governance and oversight.