This Month
Flexible workplaces are the winners in the war for talent
With Australia facing widespread skills shortages, many businesses are having to make similar choices as workers realise they have the power to demand greater flexibility.
- Ronald Mizen and Gus McCubbing
Skills shortages put speed limit on economic growth
Australia’s skilled worker shortage will put a speed limit on the economy as businesses struggle to meet demand and are forced to restrain output.
- Ronald Mizen and Michael Bennet
- Analysis
- Federal election
Australia’s big economic challenge
Awaiting this weekend’s election victor is a super strong jobs market but also rising inflation, cost of living pressures, higher interest rates and a mammoth budget repair task.
- John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Letters to the Editor
Letters of 20 May 2022 : Polls hold the key to energy future
Election, energy, fossil fuels, pollution, net zero, oil and gas, carbon challenge, housing, interest rates, super, jobless rate
Labor pledges tax crackdown as deficit tops Coalition’s by $8.4b
In a new announcement to raise $3.1 billion, an ALP government would strengthen the ATO’s avoidance taskforce on multinationals, large companies and the rich.
- John Kehoe
Jobless rate’s fall to 48-year low triggers skills warning
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics job ads data suggests businesses are trying to fill more than 400,000 positions.
- Updated
- Ronald Mizen
Women driving force behind 48-year low jobless rate
There are almost 401,000 more people in employment than at the start of the pandemic, and women make up 60 per cent of the newly employed.
- Ronald Mizen and Gus McCubbing
- Opinion
- Federal election
Parties have plenty of data but no ideas
Four pieces of economic data were always going to dominate the federal election, but bigger issues have not been adequately addressed.
- Ronald Mizen
Weak wages growth linked to ‘concentrated economy’: Sims
Former competition watchdog Rod Sims says stronger market power of companies in Australia has contributed to higher prices for consumers and lower wages for workers.
- John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Federal election
Election winner faces a big budget shock
The next federal government will face pressure for faster fiscal consolidation to get underlying inflation back under 3 per cent by mid-2024, as the RBA forecasts.
- John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Letters to the Editor
Letters: Another lost chance for change
Labor misses mark over productivity; Albanese needs to pick side over lawless union; Fossil fuel industry abuses its free ride; Singapore shows way on super for housing; Morrison’s chickens come home to roost
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
Why Lowe is talking tough on inflation
Reserve Bank of Australia boss Phil Lowe’s blunt warnings have reduced the likelihood that households will face a punishing spike in borrowing costs.
- Karen Maley
- Opinion
- Minimum wage
Boosting productivity means everything for higher wages
The political argy-bargy over lifting the minimum wage showed what’s missing from the election campaign is any meaningful national productivity strategy.
- Richard Holden
How the rampant $US is wrecking the global economy
Rapid-fire interest rate rises in the US are causing headaches all over the world, triggering financial market volatility and currency weakness.
- Updated
- Enda Curran and Amelia Pollard
- Opinion
- Opinion
Warped policy priorities mask hidden costs
Climate change linked to support for fossil fuels and housing inequality are emblematic of the policy challenges neither major party wishes to tackle.
- Jeremy Lawson
Restaurateur offered $13k to attract workers, but no one applied
Staffing shortages have rocked Victoria’s hospitality industry, with restaurateurs struggling to attract to backpackers to fill the gaps.
- Gus McCubbing
The ‘teal’ challenge splintering Perth’s blue-ribbon establishment
Political aspirant Kate Chaney’s bid to turn Perth’s blue ribbon seat of Curtin teal is splintering the Perth establishment.
- Ronald Mizen
- Analysis
- Investing
The ‘everything’ bull market is over
The next investment cycle could be marked by persistent inflation, higher rates and bigger governments. Investors will need to work harder to find returns.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Letters to the Editor
Letters of 13 May 2022: Attacks expose desperate PM
Scott Morrison, Anthony Albanese, federal election, wage rise, inflation, tax cut, Ukraine, China
- Opinion
- Letters to the Editor
Letters of 12 May 2022: A wage rise of 5.1 per cent is not enough
Wage rise, inflation, business profits, home prices, climate change, Labor, Tony Abbott
