Economy | Australian, regional and global economic News | The Sydney Morning Herald

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Business

The economy

Advertisement
The economy’s just the means to an end. So, are we getting our money’s worth?
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

When politicians fire up on ‘security’, my bulldust detector goes to DEFCON 1

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
Chalmers’ challenge: Hard-headed budget discipline

Chalmers’ challenge: Hard-headed budget discipline

Australia’s debt-laden households need the treasurer to keep federal spending in check.

  • The Herald's View
Vladimir Putin humiliated as his gas empire crumbles

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
Coalition’s super-for-housing policy would only help wealthier homebuyers

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
The $23 billion deal that shines a light on a big threat to 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
Advertisement
Westpac boss predicts soft economic landing despite customer stress

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
Productivity isn’t working, so why not try being more ethical?

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

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
Alarm bells: Donald Trump is flirting with some very dangerous ideas

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
Is a Future Made in Australia a good idea or a bad one? Maybe a bit of both

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