Business
The economy
‘There is trepidation’: Why business owners like Jared are worried about their future
Spiralling costs, high interest rates and lower spending are driving more businesses into insolvency.
- by Andrew Taylor
Latest
The force behind competition queen Gina Cass-Gottlieb
ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb is working harder than she ever has in her career, and the results are showing on the scoreboard, with wins including tougher merger laws, and a $120 million penalty against Qantas this past week.
- by Anne Hyland
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
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
Editorial
Federal budget
Chalmers’ challenge: Hard-headed budget discipline
Australia’s debt-laden households need the treasurer to keep federal spending in check.
- The Herald's View
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