Today
Cash splash as Boomers hit the jackpot
After decades of saving, older Australians are spending up. But the wave of cash is causing headaches for the inflation-fighting treasurer and RBA. Can the good times last?
- Jacob Greber
- Analysis
- Australian economy
‘Made in Australia’ risks higher interest rates and a poorer future
The old rules of economics still apply and the consequences of Albanese’s big gamble could be widely felt.
- John Kehoe
Yesterday
High inflation may last another two years unless rates rise again
If Jim Chalmers does not use the budget to cool the economy, the RBA will have little chance of achieving its target without raising interest rates, say economists.
- Michael Read
This Month
Boosting investment needs more than taxpayer cash: Wesfarmers boss
Rob Scott said he was making major investments in value-added processing for lithium, but faced serious barriers from approvals processes.
- Carrie LaFrenz and Ronald Mizen
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
Labor election plans start blowing smoke
Labor is banking on at least one rate cut before calling an election. That scenario is no longer guaranteed.
- Phillip Coorey
PM, Chalmers mull go-it-alone power price discounts
The Albanese government is considering a second round of power bill discounts, on top of $1000-per-household credits promised by the Queensland government.
- Phillip Coorey
OECD warns sticky inflation means rates higher for longer
The warning came as CEOs deliver upbeat assessment of the economy and financial markets push out expectations for rate cuts to May or June 2025, potentially after the next federal election.
- Ronald Mizen, James Eyers, Lucas Baird, Simon Evans, Tess Bennett and Carrie LaFrenz
Markets push interest rate cuts beyond the next election
Investors think the first rate cut may not be until May 2025 or June 2025, complicating Labor’s re-election bid amid red-hot voter concern over cost of living.
- Michael Read
Chinese investment critical to reach net-zero goals
Clean energy experts warn moves that limit Chinese investment in Australia could undermine the Albanese government’s green energy goals.
- Ronald Mizen, Elouise Fowler, Simon Evans and Ben Potter
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Chalmers’ ‘new growth model’ lacking on the supply side
Jim Chalmers is right to say that Australia cannot draw an “artificial distinction between our prosperity and our security”. It has been a theme of The Australian Financial Review’s since our 2022 Business Summit.
- The AFR View
FIRB changes are fine but please fix tax: investors
Changes to the foreign investment regime to boost investment in rental housing may count for little if tax settings remain a handbrake.
- Nick Lenaghan and Larry Schlesinger
Chalmers flags budget tax breaks
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has kept open the prospect of tax incentives in the budget as business warned that changes to foreign investment rules were not enough to attract needed capital.
- Phillip Coorey
Sims, Harris soften stance on Made in Australia Act
Two critics of the government’s Future Made In Australia Act have softened their views after Treasurer Jim Chalmers outlined five criteria for support.
- Phillip Coorey
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Chalmers’ recipe for friendly foreign investment ignores the basics
The treasurer has a grand new take on industrial policy, but there’s little evidence of the reforms that international investors seek.
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Chalmers came to Sydney, left his humility in Canberra
The treasurer promotes the national security benefits of protectionism, but can’t explain how his government can find better investments than the private sector.
- Aaron Patrick
Chalmers: ‘Our job is to strike a series of fine balances’
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Wednesday took part in a Q&A at the Lowy Institute where he talked about economic security and Australia’s opportunities.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Deal makers deeply sceptical about Chalmers’ FIRB reboot
While a clearer approval path for foreign buyers who are “frequent flyers” has been welcomed, bankers and lawyers worry the devil is in the detail.
- Updated
- James Thomson
April
Labor’s plan to unlock the right foreign investment
While some investors will get a fast track, extra safeguards will be set up for high-risk proposals, like China entities investing in critical infrastructure.
- Phillip Coorey
Budget surplus of $13b tipped, but Labor needs a ‘credible’ plan
It could be the second consecutive surplus for Labor and the first time that has happened in almost 20 years. But the longer-term outlook is increasingly bleak.
- Ronald Mizen
- Opinion
- Property development
Why Australia can’t build enough new homes
The nation’s housing ambitions are way off target. That means the price of new homes and rentals will continue to climb, compounded by still high immigration numbers.
- Jennifer Hewett
