Yesterday
- Opinion
- The AFR View
History shows energy transition is for the good
Australia needs to reframe the whole debate about heading into a low-carbon future from culture warfare to something rational and positive.
- The AFR View
- Analysis
- Australian economy
Why this economic recovery is different
Incredibly, during the COVID-19 recession, household incomes rose and business profits increased, leaving consumers and companies well placed to drive the next phase of the economic recovery.
- John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Life in Lockdown
Frustration builds as locked-down Melbourne kept in the dark
Melbourne’s lockdown muscle memory has kicked in quickly this time around, but there’s a growing sense of frustration about what the city is trying to achieve.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
RBA’s ‘flexible’ QE may be coming
When the RBA unveils its highly anticipated monetary policy decision next month, governor Philip Lowe may be wise to give himself flexibility.
- Updated
- John Kehoe
China just one of many trade problems
The high dollar, rising costs and a lack of business-friendly reforms are hampering the ability to find new markets, say Australian exporters.
- Jacob Greber
- Exclusive
- Coronavirus pandemic
In Victoria’s lockdowns, it pays to be a public servant
Victorian public servants were paid $669 million more and non-public servants had a pay cut of $3.54 billion during last year’s COVID-19 closures.
- Aaron Patrick
This Month
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Speed up, take ownership, and hit vaccine target
Vaccination has been slowed for lack of a national plan, a target, and a face to front up the effort. All of them are needed to bring public urgency.
- The AFR View
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
The problem with PIMCO’s ‘inflation head-fake’ call
Inflation talk is everywhere and that in itself could help push up the risk of an inflation shock.
- James Thomson
Stamp duty and renovations driving recovery
Spending on stamp duty and home renovations accounted for 0.9 percentage points of the 1.1 per cent increase in GDP over the past year.
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Melbourne business needs to know road out
Melbourne business owners are being kept in the dark about the state government’s road out of lockdown. They deserve more.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Future growth needs open borders and supply-side reform
The so-called shock absorbers rolled out to hold the economy together have turned out to be more like a trampoline. But we can’t ignore the looming headwinds.
- The AFR View
- Analysis
- Australian economy
Bullish business is investing – and it’s not just tradies buying utes
Businesses with stimulus-fuelled balance sheets are responding to strong consumer demand and federal government tax incentives to buy plant, equipment and vehicles.
- John Kehoe
Economists sound first warning bells on inflation
The inflation beast has been truly quelled in the past 30 years, but it has a nasty habit of gathering speed when least expected.
- Chris Giles
- Opinion
- Productivity
The fruits of productivity reform wait for bolder politics
It’s said that politics has changed since the golden age of reform in the 1980s and 1990s. But that’s all the more reason to make the effort that seems lacking now.
- Gary Banks
‘Sugar hit’ budget could cost everyone $10,000 a year
Former Productivity Commission boss Gary Banks warns that a lack of serious economic reform will cost each Australian $10,000 a year in forgone income.
- John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Immigration
Australia needs more than people power
Unless productivity rises alongside it, a rising population of migrants spells political dangers too.
- John Kehoe
‘Revenge consumption’ could push up inflation, says RBA
The central bank’s head of economic analysis says the increase in household income during the pandemic is ‘unprecedented’ compared with past downturns.
- Michael Read
Surge of confidence as iron ore, retail boost GDP
Economists from the big four banks expect gross domestic product to grow by up to 2.1 per cent in the March quarter, pushing activity past pre-pandemic levels.
- Updated
- Michael Read and John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
RBA sees skill shortages, but no sign of wages pressures
While business complains the international border closure is causing skills shortages, the RBA is seeing no firm evidence this is showing up in higher wages.
- John Kehoe
RBA holds rates but cautions property investors
The RBA called out the greater role investors are now playing in the booming property market.
- Michael Read
