Business
The economy
Opinion
GDP
The economy’s just the means to an end. So, are we getting our money’s worth?
Our materialism puts us on a “hedonic treadmill”. We think buying a bit more stuff will make us happier and, at first, it does. But pretty soon the thrill wears off.
- by Ross Gittins
Latest
Opinion
National security
When politicians fire up on ‘security’, my bulldust detector goes to DEFCON 1
Using “security” as a justification for a policy initiative opens the door to interventions that are, in the words of former Treasury secretary Dr Ken Henry, “frankly, bad”.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Russia-Ukraine war
Vladimir Putin humiliated as his gas empire crumbles
Vladimir Putin is throwing everything he has got at ramping up Russia’s war machine. But it does not include one previously reliable source of cash.
- by Tim Wallace
Opinion
Property market
Coalition’s super-for-housing policy would only help wealthier homebuyers
The Coalition’s plan to allow Australians to use their super for housing would disproportionately help wealthier people buy more expensive homes.
- by Brendan Coates and Joey Moloney
Opinion
Inside China
The $23 billion deal that shines a light on a big threat to China
The takeover of US Steel is turning into a political nightmare, and the effects could be widespread.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Westpac boss predicts soft economic landing despite customer stress
Westpac boss Peter King says the economy is on track for a soft landing, even as customer stress has ticked up, and the bank posted a drop in profits.
- by Millie Muroi
Opinion
Corporate ethics
Productivity isn’t working, so why not try being more ethical?
Ethics is a set of beliefs about the right way for people – and organisations - to behave. But what’s that got to do with the economy?
- by Ross Gittins
Put the brakes on AI rollout, new privacy commissioner says
Commissioner Carly Kind is concerned about the speed at which the fast-evolving technology is being used.
- by Sumeyya Ilanbey
Opinion
US Votes 2024
Alarm bells: Donald Trump is flirting with some very dangerous ideas
Donald Trump is as addicted to magical thinking and denial of reality as any petty strongman or dictator. That’s why his economic plans should have us all worried.
- by Paul Krugman
Opinion
Productivity
Is a Future Made in Australia a good idea or a bad one? Maybe a bit of both
Why would Anthony Albanese and his smart economists, Jim Chalmers and Chris Bowen, want to reverse the bipartisan policy of the past 40 years and take us back to the future?
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Interest rates
Why no news from the Fed is good news
The US central bank is sticking to the “higher for longer” interest rate scenario factored into financial markets, while downplaying the prospect of widely feared rate hikes.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz