No let-up in government’s spending splurge
Labor has left the door open to doling out extra cost of living assistance, even as economists warn that the rapid growth in spending is fuelling inflation.
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
Just maybe, the worm has started to turn on the cost of living
The short-lived census row has sharply reminded the government that it cannot take its eye off the economic ball now, writes Phillip Coorey.
Departing Shorten confident NDIS can be brought under control
The former Labor leader and party powerbroker will leave federal politics after six terms to become vice chancellor of Canberra University.
Farmers slam call to create huge forest to reduce emissions
The Climate Change Authority review sparked criticism from the agricultural sector over a call for large-scale forestation.
- Analysis
- Federal election
From Beaconsfield to Bruce: Labor’s loss will be education’s gain
Bill Shorten will rival, if not supplant, Kim Beazley as the best prime minister Labor never had.
CFMEU organiser charged with threats to kill
The charges against the senior CFMEU organiser are the first since a joint investigation into the union.
The alternative to high interest rates is recession: Bullock
Michele Bullock has stressed the necessity of high rates just days after Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the central bank’s actions were “smashing the economy”.
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review
Trump courts the ‘bro vote’, which could just swing the election
A constellation of YouTubers, pranksters and streamers is helping Donald Trump win his frat-boy flank – 18-to-29-year-olds who Republicans believe may just win them the poll.
- Analysis
- World politics
No one is talking about the world’s worst humanitarian crisis
Sudan’s catastrophic war could kill millions and spread chaos across Africa and the Middle East as huge numbers of refugees flee the country.
This poker pro wants to teach you how to be a better gambler
Nate Silver’s account of the gaming industry can be read as a useful manual for aspiring card sharps and professional sports gamblers, but it doubles as an indictment.
- Opinion
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The 5 things university students should be protesting about
Here are some alternative focal points for outrage and protest, particularly for morally energetic university students.
Trump’s plan to challenge the election result if he loses
Republican officials in a key swing state have taken over an obscure, unelected board to lay the groundwork for challenging a potential victory by Kamala Harris.
The best of travel, fashion, cars and more, straight to your inbox every Saturday.
Companies
TPG Telecom, Optus network-sharing deal gets ACCC approval
TPG Telecom will market its mobile phone services to more Australians after the competition regulator said it could share networks with Optus in regional areas.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Vodafone gets a start in the bush, now to make it work
Vodafone’s never been able to justify going to the bush. It needs at least 100,000 more customers to make its new deal work.
Vow to release secret Queensland report into Star’s HK partner
The report into Star Entertainment’s marquee Brisbane casino examined possible criminal links with one of its business partners.
Brookfield’s Healthscope deal leaves a sick feeling
A weakened Healthscope is the face of the backlash agitating for more funding from the private health insurers.
Khuda sets $100b valuation target for AirTrunk’s next trick
Billionaire Robin Khuda has praised his own foresight in investing in data centres tailor-made for tech giants after creating a $24 billion business in less than a decade.
Apollo sell-down wipes $530m from Challenger
Investors and analysts are blaming the rout on what they claim are overblown concerns over the future of Challenger’s relationship with the private equity giant.
Arcadium to mothball Mt Cattlin amid low lithium prices
The collapse in lithium prices has claimed its first major victim in Western Australia.
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Markets
Markets brace for more bad news on US economy
Traders have ramped up bets on rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.
Copper’s mega-bulls are ‘throwing in the towel’
Once hailed as the decade’s best commodity bet, investors are being forced to temper their expectations following a near 20 per cent slump in prices.
The alternative to high interest rates is recession: Bullock
Michele Bullock has stressed the necessity of high rates just days after Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the central bank’s actions were “smashing the economy”.
ASX bounces after sell-off; Woodside sinks 6pc, NextDC rallies
Australian shares end 0.4 per cent higher. NextDC gets speeding ticked on 10pc jump. Santos appoints new CFO. Woodside falls as sell signs converge.
This chip maker is still cheap despite rallying nearly 60pc this year
Pella Funds Management’s Jordan Cvetanovski says the market is too conservative on Taiwan Semiconductor, the leading producer of advanced chips for Apple and Nvidia.
Opinion
The MSO brought this row on itself
Young self-absorbed artists and old complacent arts organisations like the MSO don’t understand that great art is powerful because it transcends politics.
Columnist
Playing Solomon on bitter divisions in private health
Health Minister Mark Butler’s review must eventually produce healthier private hospitals and health insurers that pass on the benefits in lower premiums.
Editorial
Bullock fights her own war
RBA governor Michele Bullock took to the podium on Thursday on a mission to avoid a war of words with the treasurer.
Senior reporter
Government spending plays hero and villain
Jim Chalmers says the weakness of the economy justifies high government spending. He doesn’t want voters to link that with interest rates and inflation.
Columnist
It’s time Australia put the guardrails on its gambling habit
The public is ready for gambling reform, if only politicians were brave enough to take it up.
Budget expert
Treasurer v the RBA: Why Chalmers and Bullock are both right
Jim Chalmers says the economy is getting smashed by high rates, but it’s still running too hot for the RBA. The answer is simple: productivity.
Editor-at-large
Reports
Clean Energy - the bumpy transition
This special report looks at how Australia is tracking to meet net zero goals, and the new technology that can help us get there.
Politics
Major blue-collar union splits from ACTU
Electricians, posties and plumbers have resolved to disaffiliate from the ACTU over its support for the CFMEU administration laws, in a historic split.
- Opinion
- Political leadership
With a half-smile, Bill Shorten bows out of politics on his terms
The former federal Labor leader has no regrets about calling it quits to become a university vice chancellor.
CFMEU organiser charged with threats to kill
The charges against the senior CFMEU organiser are the first since a joint investigation into the union.
- Analysis
- Federal election
From Beaconsfield to Bruce: Labor’s loss will be education’s gain
Bill Shorten will rival, if not supplant, Kim Beazley as the best prime minister Labor never had.
Farmers slam call to create huge forest to reduce emissions
The Climate Change Authority review sparked criticism from the agricultural sector over a call for large-scale forestation.
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World
Trump will hit clean energy and any nation linked with Asia
If Donald Trump wins the White House, investors should be prepared for a drop in climate change investments and worse US relations with the world, his former adviser says.
Secrets of an unassuming NY official accused of working for China
Charges against Linda Sun are the latest in the efforts of the US Justice Department to stop efforts by the Chinese government to secretly wield its influence in the country.
Germany faces jobs crisis ‘of a thousand cuts’
Highly paid manufacturing work is no longer easy to come by in the eurozone’s largest economy.
Joe Biden set to block Nippon Steel’s takeover of US Steel
The Japanese bid for the Pennsylvania-based company has become a flashpoint in the Harris-Trump presidential contest.
Trump’s plan to challenge the election result if he loses
Republican officials in a key swing state have taken over an obscure, unelected board to lay the groundwork for challenging a potential victory by Kamala Harris.
Property
Social housing offers 8-12pc infrastructure-like returns
As Australia grapples with how to channel institutional money into new housing, the $10b HAFF fund offers a way to invest that Australia hasn’t had before.
Inside the high-tech sheds worth $24b to AirTrunk
From a single room holding a hard-working mainframe, data centres have evolved into major pieces of high-powered, high-tech infrastructure.
The suburbs where housing risks are rising
Risks of sharper house price declines are emerging across many areas in Melbourne as listings surge and demand falls.
Time to buy into REITs: Barrenjoey
Property stocks have weathered the interest rate storm, according to Barrenjoey, who say investors could be “well served” to increase their exposure.
Investors claim mismanagement of Elanor’s $500m hotel fund
The $500 million hotel fund – part of a $6b real estate platform – is at the heart of refinancing issues facing the ASX-listed fund manager.
Wealth
We have $360,000 in super. Are we wealthy enough for an SMSF?
There has been much debate about the appropriate dollar threshold for do-it-yourself super.
- Opinion
- Flat Chat
Why it’s important to maintain the rage in your unit block
Property investors can be drawn into a conspiracy of mutually enabled silence with rental agents – neither party wants any hassles. But that’s ultimately a costly strategy.
This ex-Macquarie banker toned up Brazil – and made a fortune
When Declan Sherman moved to the Latin American country with the investment bank, he was inspired to show the locals a new way to exercise.
Technology
Inside the Swedish lolly craze sweeping TikTok
The world has gone mad for Scandinavian confectionery, thanks to a viral social media post about the high-quality, low-sugar sweets.
Apple, Google, parents should stop kids using social media apps: Meta
The company behind Facebook and Instagram says Apple and Google and their app stores are better placed to prevent children joining social media.
- Opinion
- Digital Life
Google or Samsung, which folding phone is best?
Google’s folding Pixel phone has finally come to Australia, so we’ve put it head to head with the incumbent.
Work & Careers
What this exec has learnt from becoming a CEO at 29
In 2022, Rajneen Arora was the GM of Best Gift Group when the hospitality gift card company fielded a buyout offer. The deal was contingent on Arora becoming its chief executive.
How this former teacher became CEO of a $540m company
Jon Davey, chief executive of payments provider Tyro Payments, became a teacher after finishing school but realised it wasn’t for him.
Life & Luxury
What I’ve learnt from a year without booze
Author Rob Temple almost died due to alcohol abuse. Now, he shares the unexpected perks of sober life.
Are you a politics tragic? There’s a tour for that
A British former foreign correspondent has hit on a successful travel model – taking tourists into politically disputed territory.
- Exclusive
- New music
Why Missy Higgins stopped therapy to make an album
Two decades on from the multi-platinum The Sound Of White, Missy Higgins is looking inward again – only this time it’s to cope with being a newly single mother of two.
Australia’s grand new transport hubs lure top restaurants and bars
Sophisticated drinking and dining is now just a ferry or a train-ride away as an explosion of new openings mark the completion of major infrastructure projects.
- Drinks With Max Allen
- Champagne & sparkling wine
Four great sparkling wines from the Adelaide Hills
Deviation Road at the Adelaide Hills has mastered the knack of arrested development to create extraordinarily fresh and youthful wines.
