Yesterday
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Brisbane should learn lessons of Australian Open’s success
It’s always tough for governments to justify spending money on sporting venues. Yet, long-term thinking and the best option for leaving a legacy should be factored into the plans for Brisbane’s Olympic stadium.
- The AFR View
Inflation figures make or break for pre-election rate cut
While economists expect inflation is falling faster than the RBA’s forecast, will the decline be rapid enough for the central bank to shift gears?
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- Trade
Australia-China trade will be caught in middle of Trump’s tariff war
Australia is now more dependent on a single market than it has ever been since the late 1940s when our biggest customer was the United Kingdom.
- Richard McGregor
This Month
Crucial inflation data to determine RBA rate call
For the first time in more than a year, there is chance the Reserve Bank of Australia could cut interest rates at its February meeting.
- Jacob Shteyman
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Why green aluminium pushes us towards Argentine Peronism
Both sides of politics want us to believe that redirecting prosperity to a preferred sector somehow represents a growth strategy.
- Alexander Sanchez
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Top CEOs reveal 17 ways to make Australia great again
The executives were asked to think big picture about the risks and opportunities we’re not sufficiently considering. Here are their ideas for a better nation.
- James Thomson
Debt explosion pushes Queensland to cusp of rating downgrade
Queensland is at risk of a credit rating downgrade as early as this year, after Treasurer David Janetzki released a dire fiscal update from the new LNP government.
- James Hall
- Exclusive
- Trump's America
Trump may retaliate against Labor’s tech levy by doubling expat taxes
Almost 90,000 expats and thousands of Australian companies could see their tax rates doubled unless Labor junks the so-called “news bargaining incentive”.
- Michael Read
Teals to demand truth in advertising laws in hung parliament
The teals, who could prove decisive in a hung parliament, say a right-wing campaign group is spreading misinformation about their views on tax hikes in billboards and other advertising.
- Michael Read
- Exclusive
- Federal election
Dutton and PM turn to TikTok and podcasts in social media election
The Coalition and Labor are doubling down in a social media arms race, even as they team up to implement a world-first ban on under-16s accessing online platforms.
- Michael Read and Tom McIlroy
- Exclusive
- Federal election
Greens to push Labor on wealth, super and big business tax hike
The minor party could play a pivotal role after the next federal election and plans to go after “excessive profits”.
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- Federal election
Dutton’s proposal for taxpayer-funded lunches is not serious policy
Less than a week after condemning Labor’s cost-of-living policies as sugar hits, Dutton on Sunday announced a new sugar hit of his own.
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- Global economy
The market’s data king reveals what will drive Trump’s Treasury
Jens Nordvig built his macro research firm on sourcing and crunching data. He’s detecting profound shifts in behaviour as markets and politics intersect.
- Jonathan Shapiro
IMF lifts global growth forecast on stronger US demand
“The big story is the divergence between the US and the rest of the world,” IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said.
- Eric Martin
Banks stand firm on ESG after Dutton ‘woke’ jibe
Banks and their shareholders reject the claim “wokeness” is stopping them lending to fossil fuel and forestry businesses, arguing that commercial reality drives loan decisions.
- John Kehoe
Election spending already tops $10b
Economists warn that the commitments could give the Reserve Bank a reason not to cut interest rates in the near term.
- John Kehoe, Michael Read and Ronald Mizen
- Perspective
- Industrial relations
Wage wars: Chaos as salary demands push state budgets to the brink
This week, simmering tensions between essential workers and cash-strapped governments caused mayhem around the country. Can leaders contain the fallout?
- Michael Read
China economic growth to slow to 4pc in 2026: World Bank
The global economy is set to expand 2.7 per cent in 2025 and again in 2026, with inflation forecast to average 2.7 per cent in both years.
- Paul Wiseman
- Opinion
- Interest rates
Jobs boom puts election rate cut on a knife edge
The stunning employment surge makes a pre-election rate cut less likely than the Albanese government would be hoping.
- John Kehoe
No need for a February rate cut after bumper jobs report: economists
In the face of a resilient labour market, some experts say the central bank may opt to wait until May 20 to start easing.
- Michael Read
Goyder could break the shackles by returning government handouts
Readers’ letters on business welfare dependence, China’s claims to Taiwan, the gift of giving, property prices, Arctic mining, and Donald Trump.
- Opinion
- Federal election
Election will test what voters care about the most
Voters hate inflation, but do they hate it more than rising unemployment? This year’s election will reveal their true priorities.
- John Kehoe
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Unrealistic public sector pay claims risk an inflation budget hangover
The wage demands at the tail end of the inflation-cycle will add to the fiscal pressure on state government’s already deep in debt and deficit.
- The AFR View
