This Month
Bull and the budget: supplicants take over Canberra
As the treasurer hands down his third budget, hasn’t he aroused a stupendous chorus of critics.
- Updated
- Myriam Robin and Mark Di Stefano
April
Wayne Swan’s ASX sand crusade starts to crystallise
The former treasurer’s public support for local solar panel subsidies comes as he tries to consolidate the sand industry.
- Updated
- Mark Di Stefano
Wayne Swan plays the (wo)man, drops the ball
Behold the ferocity with which the Labor Party’s National President attacked the two women who critiqued the government’s new industrial policy.
- Myriam Robin
- Exclusive
- Federal budget
PM’s Made in Australia green plan a ‘slippery slope’
Former Productivity Commission heads back Danielle Wood’s concerns that the government’s proposal needs clearly defined objectives and exit strategies.
- Phillip Coorey, John Kehoe and Michael Read
March
- Analysis
- Tax reform
Why Comyn went ‘off script’ and called for a major tax shake-up
The Commonwealth Bank chief executive spoke out for income tax cuts and a higher GST in what he described as “heart in your mouth sort of stuff” for his advisers.
- John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
Chalmers’ third budget will fight and stoke inflation and growth
Timing for the next election will be about picking a sweet spot between things getting better and things getting worse.
- Phillip Coorey
Australian politicians mob Alastair Campbell
As a way for a veritably antique ex-politico to pay the bills, this sure must beat lobbying.
- Myriam Robin
February
Wayne Swan sinking in ASX sand
The former treasurer’s small-cap sand miner commits a classroom M&A snafu.
- Mark Di Stefano
Cbus could invest more than $500m in affordable housing: Wayne Swan
The boss of the industry super fund says it is comfortable with the risks of a new asset class and wants to play a role in resolving Australia’s housing crisis.
- Michael Bleby
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
The numbers are pointing in the right direction for Labor
Tax cuts, falling inflation, higher wages and interest rates cuts are set to favour Labor leading into what could be an early election.
- Phillip Coorey
December 2023
Big capital comes to Canberra. See the full list here
Big bank CEOs, super fund bosses and venture capital executives are at Parliament House to hear Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ push for them to invest in national priorities.
- Ronald Mizen
How big super ‘sponsors’ Australia’s unions
Australia’s superannuation funds have for the first time had to reveal itemised disclosures of their marketing, sponsorship and partnership spending.
- Myriam Robin
AustralianSuper director publishes war novel
Misha Zelinsky’s book about the war in Ukraine features on a union official not dissimilar to himself, except female.
- Myriam Robin
October 2023
Labor savages big super for failing customers
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones has read the riot act to superannuation funds over poor customer service and retirement advice.
- Hannah Wootton and Michael Read
‘Not spooked’: Cbus chairman Wayne Swan doubles down on property
Cbus chairman Wayne Swan says the $85 billion fund’s property portfolio has proven resilient to higher interest rates and the fallout of the pandemic.
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
The $3.5 trillion super sector’s next big problem is already here
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones has delivered a wake-up call to the sector to lift its game as 5 million Australians approach retirement.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Why Wayne Swan says super is our ‘economic secret weapon’
The former treasurer says the super sector proved its economic power during the GFC and can help Australia’s next set of big challenges.
- James Thomson
Vale Bill Hayden, a complex high achiever who helped shape Australia
Moody and often difficult, Bill Hayden played a major role ushering in reforms including Medicare, opening up the economy, and Australia’s engagement with Asia.
- Andrew Clark
September 2023
Rudd, Swan break bread in Washington
A decade of public barbs hasn’t stopped the two Labor luminaries from enjoying a markedly “civil” encounter.
- Myriam Robin
August 2023
- Updated
- Tax reform
‘Be brave’: Six teal MPs urge GST debate
The politicians are pushing Jim Chalmers to consider hard reforms such as raising the goods and services tax, as experts warn young workers will suffer.
- Updated
- Michael Read