- Opinion
- Property market
Negative gearing crackdown not worth the risk
The change of a tax policy can have a dramatic short to medium term effect: any reward from negative gearing and capital gains reforms is not worth the risk.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Is the mergers test broken?
Businesses seeking mergers in concentrated markets can expect lots more ACCC court actions. But ACCC chairman Rod Sims says the mergers regime is broken.
Revealed: the $100 million SMSFs
There is at least $3 billion sitting in a handful of mega SMSFs, new ATO figures show.
ASX to rise, jobs data awaited
Australian shares are poised to open higher as investors await April's labour force data.
- Exclusive
- Finance
Greensill to become bond market beast within a year
Fresh from a $1 billion-plus equity injection from Softbank, Rich Lister Lex Greensill says Australian investors are ready to buy his company's bonds.
- Opinion
- Regulation
The ACCC loses the case it just had to win
Andrew Harding's second big regulatory win in ten days lands a stunning blow for Rod Sims.
Federal election
Fair Work queries unions' 'living wage'
The Fair Work head raises concerns the ACTU’s bid to lift all workers out of poverty could blow out minimum wages by allowing "the tail to wag the dog".
Morrison says he 'celebrates' China's economic development
Scott Morrison has rallied Sydney's Chinese community and said he celebrates the economic success of Australia's largest trading partner.
The first step down Fannie and Freddie's path
Government meddling in the housing market is a slippery slope, as the experience in the United States shows, write John Kehoe and Jacob Greber.
Abbott camp issues SOS as Coalition war erupts
A civil war has split the NSW Coalition days from the election and harmed Tony Abbott's prospects of retaining Warringah.
Why election advertising blackout rules are outdated
A blackout period starts at midnight today to limit voters from making rash choices based on advertising. But the rules don't apply to social media.
Business
Tom Dery optimistic in challenging ad market
Tom Dery will leave M&C Saatchi after 24 years in June and remains upbeat about the future of the industry.
St Barbara may dive back into M&A after Atlantic plunge
This week's $768 million Canadian gold acquisition may not be enough to fully satisfy St Barbara's growth appetite.
ACCC's Rod Sims says merger laws need a rethink
ACCC chairman Rod Sims is "stunned" by the loss of a court battle over the sale of Aurizon's Brisbane freight rail hub to rival Pacific National.
Experts criticise KPMG's approach to allegations
Workplace experts have warned KPMG's complaint-handling processes may be scaring employees and partners away from speaking out about bad behaviour.
Coca-Cola Amatil sees growth after more feet on the street
CCA's Alison Watkins expects volumes to grow in Australia for the first time in four years.
Qatar flexing muscles in 'overwhelmed' LNG market
Rival exporters must be ready to compete with Qatar's new price policy, the respected LNG consultant says.
Credit Suisse tips iron ore, coking coal price bonanza
Major beneficiaries of the price surge include BHP, one of the largest iron ore and coking coal exporters, and Rio Tinto, a large iron-ore producer.
Markets
Bitcoin rally masks crypto capital flight
Withdrawals from trading platforms including Bitfinex, BitMEX, Binance and Kraken have exceeded inflows by about $900 million over the past five days.
- Opinion
- World markets
Trump's trade war puts animal spirits on endangered list
The S&P 500 is now 1.2 per cent cheaper, based on expected earnings, than it was before Trump was elected president, and that is even after Tuesday's rally.
Global investors eye ASX tech darlings
Global fund managers are looking at the local tech sector as investors exit their positions in the major US technology names, rattled by trade war concerns.
ASX rebounds as Trump calms markets
Australian shares closed firmly higher on Wednesday after comments from US President Donald Trump soothed investors' nerves.
Tax cuts could hold off rate cut: CBA
Speculation the RBA will hold off on cutting rates to see if tax rebates coming in July provide the stimulus to get economy moving.
Opinion
For all its faults, the Coalition faces in the right policy direction
The party might have unity, but Bill Shorten’s agenda threatens a high-taxing, high-spending caricature of a Labor government.
Editorial
Back to the future, Shorten tries to woo business
Business has mainly kept quiet during the campaign but is desperately trying to figure out how it could work with a Labor government
Columnist
Labor can't let security bosses bully it over China
Our China ties can be mended only by pushing back against the securicrats and responsibly relenting on both Huawei and the Belt and Road Initiative, writes Geoff Raby.
Columnist
Confession season turns ugly at wrong time for Shorten
A string of profit downgrades paints a picture of a weakening economy, which will make life tough for the man who wins the keys to the Lodge on Saturday.
Columnist
Politics
- Exclusive
- Papua New Guinea
UBS loan to PNG government may have breached 15 laws
UBS Australia's $1.24 billion loan to Papua New Guinea is once again under scrutiny with the government watchdog handing down its final report into the deal.
- Opinion
- Federal election
How Clive Palmer could put the Coalition back into the Lodge
Pay close attention to the United Australia Party's primary vote in Queensland on election night. It is key to any hope ScoMo has.
Why money won't solve foreign aid challenges
Labor's $1.6 billion pledge to increase foreign aid will have to come with answers to the strategic challenges facing the aid program.
Palaszczuk's stalling tactics on Adani could hurt Shorten
The Palaszczuk Labor government has been hijacked by the Left of the party, according to former ministers.
Labor accused of $9b secret spending cuts
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has accused Labor of hiding $9 billion of future spending cuts, as both parties trade blows over fiscal responsibility.
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World
Trump may delay auto tariffs decision by up to six months
GM, Volkswagen, Toyota and others have warned of the damaging impacts of imposing tariffs of up to 25 per cent on imported cars and parts.
British PM sets date for last-ditch Brexit push
Parliament will vote on her deal in the first week of June, as Theresa May's hopes of striking a deal with the Opposition fade.
US pulls government employees from Iraq
The US has withdrawn employees from its embassy in Baghdad and consulate in Erbil as tensions escalate over threats from Iranian backed forces.
Trump suggests Fed should help him win China trade war
The US President has called on the Federal Reserve to 'match' what he said China would do to offset economic hardship being caused by tariffs.
Fears grow over US claims of Iranian threat
International worries that the Trump administration is sliding toward war with Iran flared into the open amid scepticism about its claims that the Islamic Republic poses a growing threat to the US and its allies in the Persian Gulf and beyond.
Real Estate
E-commerce surge takes Goodman to new heights
Chief executive Greg Goodman said e-commerce now accounted for as much as 60 per cent of its occupier base, "twice that" of some of its competitors.
GPT boss plays down concerns about retail exposure
GPT Group will boost its investment in logistics but not at the expense of retail property.
Childcare centres back in vogue among investors
Burgess Rawson agent and childcare specialist Natalie Couper said a total of 60 bids were placed on two childcare centres.
- Exclusive
- WA residential property
Far East Consortium delays $1.4b Perth Hub
Six-hundred Perth subcontractors could be out of jobs in June.
- Exclusive
- Property market
Smedley hands over $950,000 to exit $9 million Glen Iris buy
It's an expensive exit, but saves developer $500,000 in stamp duty costs he avoided paying.
Personal Finance
How to tick all the boxes in downsizing super strategy
Celebrating being able to boost your retirement savings after moving home? Make you you're across all the rules and don't try to cheat the ATO, writes John Wasiliev who finds answers for your super questions.
'It's time to ring the bell': has the housing market troughed?
In one part of Melbourne's weakened market, some people are seeing a change. Others aren't so sure.
Sigma chair to go as shareholders deliver protest
About 18 per cent of shareholders voted against the pharmaceutical wholesaler's executive pay at its AGM. Sigma shares have fallen 26 per cent in the past year.
Technology
Apple's challenge: lift iPhone prices or take margin hit
As the US-China tariff battle escalates, Apple's option include lifting prices on its products or taking a hit on their profitability.
States to vie for Labor digital skills centre of excellence
A Labor government would spend $5 million to help establish a digital skills centre of excellence.
Mobile networks are 'threat' to NBN
Singtel Optus has reported full-year net profit of $659 million, with average revenues per user falling across most of its products.
Leadership
Financial advisers to get qualification in ethics
By January 1 new financial advisers will need to study ethics at a university level before they can help clients.
'Epidemic': 1 in 3 women lawyers harassed
A global report finds 50 per cent of women and 33 per cent of male lawyers have been bullied and one in three women have been sexually harrassed.
Lifestyle
Why Vienna's dance scene is a throwback to a bygone era
From opera and orchestras to sachertorte and silverware, Vienna’s old-world ways remain a perennial favourite in an uncertain age.
- Exclusive
- Hotels
Next Story Group snaps up new Southbank hotel for $45m
The 162-room property at 167 City Road will become Next Story's first LinQ Hotel, an upper mid-scale offering.
Monet painting sells for record $160m
The painting of haystacks is he first piece of Impressionist art to command more than $US100 million at auction.
Asian art sales could awake sleepers
Even in a market moderated by cooling fervour in mainland China, the Chinese diaspora around the region is likely to maintain buoyant prices.
World's best chef turns to innkeeping
Massima Bottura has been the winner of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards two of the past three years. Now he's opening a villa in north Italy.
