Business
The economy
Opinion
Federal budget
Australia’s caught in a spin cycle. Thank goodness you’ve got me to slow it down
Politicians like to deploy spin doctors, and economists, to give you a version of the truth. It’s my job to make sure you’re not led astray, but it’s getting harder.
- by Ross Gittins
Latest
Opinion
Inflation
What’s happening in the economy is that no one’s sure what’s happening
After shocks including a global pandemic, war and supply chain disruptions, predicting the next move in our economy has become harder than we’re used to.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Inside China
The West is completely unprepared for Xi Jinping’s next masterstroke
The US and its allies face a grim choice if China escalates tensions with Taiwan. It could lead to an economic catastrophe.
- by Philip Pilkington
The race on Melbourne’s outskirts to snap up a ‘good deal’ on property
Leaking pipes, windows without blinds and rising rents at their Noble Park home spurred Gelorah and Sharaniah to buy a block of land in a housing estate.
- by Simon Johanson
Opinion
Federal budget
Australia’s future to be made under Treasury’s watchful eye
Treasury’s “national interest framework” in the planned Future Made in Australia Act provides stronger grounds for hoping that the oversight will keep the crazy decisions to a minimum.
- by Ross Gittins
Catering to the ultra-rich is a booming business in WA
There’s a new sign that the Perth elite are starting to tip over the line separating the merely rich from the fabulously so.
- by Harry Brumpton, Paul-Alain Hunt and Patrick Winters
Opinion
Property market
Two weeks after the budget, I’ve realised I missed its most surprising revelation
The budget papers include a long statement spelling out what’s wrong with housing with a candour I’ve not seen before.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Immigration
Politicians don’t control immigrant numbers, and usually don’t want to
Politicians could exercise more control over immigration, but neither side has particularly wanted to.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Global economy
Xi and Putin’s love-in is an ominous sign for the West
Russia and China have traditionally treated each other with mutual suspicion and loathing. But now they are closer than ever.
- by Liam Halligan
Opinion
Housing crisis
Treasury tells all: How the housing market is so stuffed up
Our housing industry has been too slow to respond to the increased demand for housing. What’s the Albanese government doing about this mess?
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Employment
We are now in a vaudeville economy where bad news is good news
There’s a good chance that there’s enough bad news around on family finances that the government handouts won’t push up interest rates.
- by Chris Richardson