Latest
Queensland heads for deficit as Labor readies election cash splash
A pre-election spending spree will result in Queensland’s forecast surplus swinging into a deficit of about $3 billion, Treasurer Cameron Dick says.
- James Hall
Data centres may close Woodside’s hydrogen circle: O’Neill
Chief executive Meg O’Neill said data centres in Singapore – which the government has insisted must provide their own green power – could be an industry model.
- Ben Potter
Households tipped to save 80pc of stage three tax cuts
The RBA board has “limited tolerance” for inflation remaining above the mid-point of its target band beyond 2026, but the latest Westpac consumer sentiment survey suggests that might not be a problem.
- Ronald Mizen
Macquarie says there is a 50pc chance of recession this year
Macquarie Group economist Sophie Photios said the economy was like a “masquerade”, where immigration had masked it going backwards in per person terms.
- John Kehoe
Risk of summer blackouts in NSW, Victoria rises
Power users face an increased risk of summer shortages in NSW and Victoria due to delays in transmission lines and renewable projects, and large users may need to switch off plants to avoid blackouts.
- Ben Potter
Singapore thriving after smooth, fair transition
Readers letters on the election of Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong; Labor’s Future Gas Strategy; the housing affordability crisis; and Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
Opinion & Analysis
RBA independence is more important than ever
Readers’ letters on political spin and the Reserve Bank; the Albanese government’s poor record; final pleas for a printed paper; predicted blackouts; and Jim Chalmers’ charm offensive.
Contributor
Australia needs to relearn the reform lessons taught to Greece
The Greeks took Gary Banks’ advice on productivity-enhancing policy. But political short-termism now holds sway here.
Former diplomat
Lendlease tax whistleblower’s 12-year fight for vindication
Lendlease’s tax dispute could cost it at least $112m, but whistleblower Anthony Watson has lost his job, battled depression and is about to sell his family home.
Economics editor
We need to prepare in good times for the next big shock. These are the good times
We are a long way from even a balanced budget. If we are going to have a fiscal war chest for the next big shock, we need to prepare now.
Economist
More From Today
- Opinion
- Letters to the Editor
RBA independence is more important than ever
Readers’ letters on political spin and the Reserve Bank; the Albanese government’s poor record; final pleas for a printed paper; predicted blackouts; and Jim Chalmers’ charm offensive.
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Australia needs to relearn the reform lessons taught to Greece
The Greeks took Gary Banks’ advice on productivity-enhancing policy. But political short-termism now holds sway here.
- Jenny Bloomfield
- Analysis
- Tax disputes
Lendlease tax whistleblower’s 12-year fight for vindication
Lendlease’s tax dispute could cost it at least $112m, but whistleblower Anthony Watson has lost his job, battled depression and is about to sell his family home.
- John Kehoe
Yesterday
- Opinion
- Federal budget
We need to prepare in good times for the next big shock. These are the good times
We are a long way from even a balanced budget. If we are going to have a fiscal war chest for the next big shock, we need to prepare now.
- Updated
- Jonathan Kearns
- Opinion
- Australian economy
The Coalition must give up its nuclear dreaming
The opposition’s current nuclear proposal is an unserious political wedge being used to pry open a climate war Pandora’s box. A new round of the climate wars would be catastrophic.
- Paul Farrow
This Month
Coalition chose political interest over easing the housing crisis
Readers’ letters on Peter Dutton’s focus on housing; how big super funds should prepare for tax changes; how the law can use AI; and a plea to keep printed copies of “The Australian Financial Review” alive in WA.
- Opinion
- Mental health
Gentrified mental health has undermined access for the seriously ill
The high costs and limitations of access are unquestionably privileging the privileged.
- Updated
- Tanveer Ahmed
- Opinion
- Energy transition
Keeping Eraring open is about engineering not morality
The imminent decision around when to close Australia’s biggest coal-fired power station is a watershed moment between an ideological approach to climate change and the laws of physics.
- Matthew Warren
- Opinion
- Productivity
Fear and crisis fatigue are holding back productivity
Our uncertain world is generating collective caution. This leaves economies experiencing too little change and bearing too little risk.
- Andy Haldane
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Budget kicks off a populist election season
The housing crisis demonstrates how both major parties insist there are easy answers where none exist.
- The AFR View
RBA considers selling HQ as renovation blows out to $1.1b
The blowout, caused by large amounts of asbestos, makes the redevelopment of the RBA building one of the nation’s most expensive non-defence public works.
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- Federal budget
The Coalition swings back to the immigration playbook
The irony is that Peter Dutton of all people should understand how complicated migration numbers really are.
- Laura Tingle
- Opinion
- Immigration
Peter Dutton’s housing policies look tinged by race
The Liberal Party leader’s complaints that foreigners are competing with Australians for homes tap into resentment towards outsiders.
- Aaron Patrick
- Analysis
- Federal budget
Chalmers and Dutton put their economic credibility on the line
Chalmers has made a big, bold gamble on inflation, while Dutton’s rhetoric is bigger than the reality on immigration.
- John Kehoe
Critics say Aussies can’t make cheap solar panels. This start-up says they’re wrong
The brains behind SunDrive say Australia has the material, the best resources, and even national security reasons, for keeping solar panel expertise here.
- Ben Potter
Peter Dutton’s migration and housing changes explained
The opposition leader says his changes to permanent migration and housing laws will help Australians by “restoring the dream of home ownership”. Will the changes be effective?
- Michael Read
‘We don’t know the truth’, says senior CIA officer
Beth Sanner was Donald Trump’s daily intelligence briefer for two years. Few people know the boundaries between secrecy and democracy so well.
- Kevin Chinnery
- Exclusive
- Oil
Shell sues ATO over claim it was short-changed $99m in CGT bill
The ATO believes the company should have declared capital gains $330 million higher than first reported for its exit from the old Woodside Petroleum.
- Lucas Baird
Men paid $760 to lose weight in ‘Game of Stones’ health scheme
A trial of a dieting program in which participants potentially lose money has been so successful that it will be rolled out nationally.
- Laura Donnelly
How South Africa has changed 30 years after apartheid
The country, which goes to the polls on May 29, made widespread improvements in its first 15 years of majority rule. The past 15 have been another story.
- The Economist
