This Month
Bullock says inflation is not Chalmers’ fault. Voters disagree
Reserve Bank boss Michele Bullock has softened the bank’s previous warning that government spending is contributing to inflation, in a shift that will help shore up relations with treasurer Jim Chalmers.
- Updated
Clean and green but are the new climate tsars conflict free?
Matt Kean’s dual gigs show how limited expertise has brought investors and policymakers uncomfortably close.
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Government spending addiction adds to RBA recession risk
If Bill Shorten is so worried the RBA could cause a recession, he should listen to Michele Bullock and Matt Comyn and kick the addiction to government spending.
Independents team up to oppose tax rise on superannuation
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is struggling to win political support for the biggest revenue-raising measure in his budget.
Kean urged to quit climate job over ‘obvious conflict of interests’
Former NSW treasurer Matt Kean’s new employer, Wollemi Capital, stands to make millions from investments in carbon credits he will advise the government on.
Climate ‘conflict’ concern at Kean advising Labor and rich investors
Former NSW treasurer Matt Kean has defended taking dual roles as a federal government climate change adviser and at a private green investment fund led by a former Macquarie banker.
- Analysis
- Interest rates
‘Hottest ticket since Cold Chisel’: Bullock returns home to Armidale
The RBA governor’s formative years helped make the country’s most high-profile economist a ‘tough’ leader.
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Future Made in Australia is already running off the rails
The Albanese government has fallen into the trap of trying to achieve political wins at high economic cost. And nobody is stopping them.
- Opinion
- Interest rates
Rise in interest rates only narrowly avoided
A rate increase was closer than many had assumed at the RBA meeting, and a more hawkish-sounding Bullock said it “was a very serious consideration”.
- Updated
- Exclusive
- Property development
Home building faces Productivity Commission probe
The new inquiry comes amid housing industry doubts that the Albanese government will achieve its goal of 1.2 million homes to be built over the next five years.
- Exclusive
- Productivity Commission
Chalmers makes Productivity Commission less productive
The government’s independent economic adviser has only one active inquiry, which former officials say is extremely low by historical standards.
- Analysis
- Monetary policy
Don’t pop the champagne on interest rate cuts just yet
Inflation data nixed the danger of an interest rate rise next week, but former RBA economists are split on the outlook from here.
July
- Opinion
- Superannuation
Why the $3m super tax has turned into a mess
It may seem hard to argue against making people with high superannuation balances pay more tax, but implementing it is a dog’s breakfast.
- Opinion
- Inflation
Inflation stays sticky, but it won’t force RBA rate rise
The consumer price figures were not as bad as feared, but inflation remains persistent and higher-for-longer interest rates will be required.
Nuclear talk finally goes ahead after Holmes à Court criticism
The engineer whose nuclear speech was cancelled the day renewable energy advocate Simon Holmes à Court objected to it has finally delivered the talk.
Home building crisis worsens with young tradies out of work
The wave of construction insolvencies is worsening an undersupply of homes and skills shortages, as trade apprentices are forced to drop out of TAFE courses.
Labor braces for higher inflation, interest rates
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sought to exonerate the government from rising inflation and a possible rate rise, arguing Labor’s two budget surpluses have helped the RBA reduce price pressures.
Dealmakers face tougher ‘public benefit’ test on mergers
Businesses using public interest grounds such as climate change action or financial stability to get takeover approvals will face a stricter hurdle from the ACCC.
- Updated
The price rises creating a big dilemma for the RBA
High inflation for items that interest rates have little control over, such as education, healthcare and insurance, will force the RBA to consider squashing harder on the prices of other items.
Merger crackdown to make ACCC ‘judge and jury’ on deals
More takeovers will be able to be blocked under the government’s move to give the competition watchdog stronger powers than previously thought, lawyers say.
