Business
The economy
Opinion
Income tax
Despite what we’re led to believe, tax cuts are no free lunch
Politicians like to peddle illusions when it comes to tax and tax cuts. Meanwhile, we play our role by deluding ourselves.
- by Ross Gittins
Latest
Opinion
Inside China
Xi Jinping will be desperate not to repeat his mistake from a decade ago
A critical moment looms for China with a meeting this month to set out its plans for the future. Xi Jinping will be treading carefully.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
Interest rates
Two reasons why the RBA will have to hike rates again, and soon
When the RBA board next meets, I believe there’s a better-than-even chance it will raise rates for the first time in nine months to 4.6 per cent.
- by Steven Hamilton
Opinion
US Votes 2024
Why the world fears four more years of Trump
Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance has made the likelihood of a second Trump term far more real and has China and the rest of the world on edge.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
Interest rates
Why interest rate speculators should get back in their box
The future of interest rates needs more brainpower and a lot less idle speculation.
- by Ross Gittins
How a second Trump term could hurt Australia
There are fears that a second Trump presidency could slow the rollout of electric cars and renewables, softening demand for Australia’s critical minerals.
- by Nick Toscano
Opinion
Russia-Ukraine war
How Putin handed America the keys to the world’s energy market
It did not take long for Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine to reshape the world’s energy markets, but the Russian president might be kicking himself.
- by Jonathan Leake
Nuclear option ‘not enough’ to avoid rush for more wind and solar
Research group Bloomberg New Energy Finance says seven reactors would reduce the need for renewables by just a small percentage.
- by Nick Toscano
Opinion
National security
Treasury steps up to limit ‘strategic’ security overreach
The risk of foreign disruption has to be balanced in such a way that economic activity is not unnecessarily curtailed.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Retail
Why haggling in op shops should be banned
I work in an op shop and have reluctantly discovered that charity often begins - and ends - at home.
- by Jo Stubbings
Opinion
Charity
I’m being generous this EOFY, but the taxman is not
We’re less generous than we used to be. Could that be because the taxman is hassling us about our benevolence?
- by Ross Gittins