This Month
- Opinion
- University
The politics behind the bipartisan U-turn on international education
Slashing international student numbers will devastate the business models for universities and many other international education providers.
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Chalmers hopes wage increases, tax cuts will lift spirits
The treasurer claims the weak economy shows why the government’s budget strategy was exactly right. Voters are likely to have a different opinion.
- Opinion
- ESG Summit
The biomethane route to cutting emissions
Renewables such as solar and wind get most of the policy attention, but businesses are experimenting with other low-carbon fuels.
- Opinion
- Critical minerals
Crackdown on Chinese investors a cautionary tale
Small critical minerals companies are caught up in the midst of a geopolitical struggle between China and the West. Northern Minerals is the latest example.
May
- Opinion
- Mining
Why BHP’s pursuit of hot copper went cold
The red metal is the new black. A rebuffed BHP has gone back to the drawing board to plot its next move after Anglo American rejected its request for more time.
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Why rate cuts look even further away
The latest inflation figures look like bad news for interest rates, even if the government doesn’t agree.
- Opinion
- Electric vehicles
Why tariffs won’t stop China’s dominance in EVs
Chinese EVs are facing higher tariffs in Europe and the US, raising the likelihood of a broader trade war. Australia may be caught in the middle.
- Opinion
- Critical minerals
Why Dutton risks losing WA sentiment
Peter Dutton’s rejection of production tax credits for critical minerals processing is risking support in several must-win seats in Western Australia.
- Updated
- Opinion
- Energy
Why NSW still needs coal-fired power
The total disarray of energy transition plans is compounded by the failure of NSW and Victoria to allow any further development of gas fields.
- Opinion
- Critical minerals
Critical mineral miners chase China’s tail
The sector has welcomed the 10 per cent production tax credits but the big question is where the additional investment to fund growth will come from.
- Opinion
- Gas crisis
Gas industry hawks its carbon credentials
Barrow Island and its inhabitants of kangaroos, perentie lizards and rare native fauna is also home to the world’s largest dedicated carbon capture and storage project.
- Opinion
- Critical minerals
Why WA loves the critical minerals budget boost
Peter Dutton’s refusal to endorse Labor’s plan for production tax credits for critical minerals processing and green hydrogen won’t make him popular in must-win seats in Western Australia.
- Opinion
- Property market
The big fail in Australia’s housing
The Albanese government’s promises of 1.2 million homes over five years are now in the realm of political fantasy, despite the billions of dollars it has pledged for housing.
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Chalmers confronts his economic critics
The treasurer insists his budget gets the balance right, even if the economists don’t agree. What will the Reserve Bank and the voters think?
- Updated
- Opinion
- Federal budget
The costs of the future still start adding up today
Jim Chalmers is betting he can get the balance right between curbing inflation in the short term while promoting growth in the longer term.
Calling time on international student numbers
Australia’s universities and colleges are fighting plans to reduce international student numbers. Spurred by the housing crisis, the government thinks it has no choice.
- Opinion
- Gas
Why Albanese is going all in on gas
The Labor government has infuriated climate activists by insisting that gas will play a crucial role in the energy transition for many decades to come. Big producers like Woodside will wait to see what that means.
- Opinion
- Critical minerals
Albanese’s troubled critical minerals dream
The Albanese government has high hopes for much more downstream processing of critical minerals. But the numbers aren’t adding up. What can change that?
- Opinion
- Interest rates
Why data-driven Bullock has her eye on the budget
RBA governor Michele Bullock says it’s too early to declare victory over inflation as she avoids the markets’ frenzied guessing game on interest rates.
- Opinion
- Aviation
Qantas’ Hudson takes the chance to shed some Joyce baggage
Vanessa Hudson has finally accepted reality by making a deal with the competition watchdog over ghost flights.
