Business
The economy
China’s economy cools sharply as lockdowns bite
China’s economic activity cooled sharply in April as widening COVID-19 lockdowns took a heavy toll on consumption, industrial production and employment.
- by Kevin Yao, Stella Qiu and Ellen Zhang
Latest
Opinion
Wage growth
Corporate chiefs should back wage hikes - because cheating customers ain’t smart business
The business community risks shooting itself in the foot by opposing wage increases.
- by Ross Gittins
Exclusive
Gas
How a chemicals tycoon shaped Australia’s ‘gas-fired recovery’
Andrew Liveris is one of Australia’s most successful businessmen, an adviser to US presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama. So how did he come to shape the nation’s energy policy?
- by Charlotte Grieve
‘Processing potential’: US cash splash a boon for local miners
Australia’s mining industry leaders say the prospect of the United States directly funding local projects could turbocharge the country’s ability to process critical minerals.
- by Nick Toscano and Jackson Graham
Opinion
Australia votes
The PM’s wages call could cost him dearly
My guess is history will judge Scott Morrison’s stance on wages to be the misstep that did most to lose him the election.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Inside China
Beijing’s COVID failure won’t stop the relentless rise of China
China is increasingly looking like an economic and political disaster zone. But it will take more than COVID to derail its powerhouse economy.
- by Matthew Lynn
Crypto billionaires see their wealth destroyed as rout deepens
Billionaire crypto fortunes that swelled over the last two years are disappearing quickly as prices continue to plummet.
- by Scott Carpenter
Editorial
Australia votes
Minimum wage rise is needed but no substitute for real economic reform
The problem is not the next annual wage case before the Fair Work Commission but the fact that real wages for all workers have barely risen in the past decade.
- The Herald's View
Opinion
Australia votes
In this election, one critical issue stands above all others
A significant majority of the top 50 Australian economists nominate “climate change and the environment” as the most important issue in this election. They’re right.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Global economy
‘Leaders are getting scared’: Putin’s war and La Niña could set off global food emergency
The destruction of Ukraine’s farm belt is worse than feared, with half of this year’s crop lost to the world. With another La Niña looming, the next six weeks will be critical for the world’s food supply.
- by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
Opinion
Russia-Ukraine war
Europe’s oil U-turn threatens to cripple Putin
Five rounds of sanctions have failed to halt Vladimir Putin’s relentless and indiscriminate war machine. But the EU’s proposed oil ban could deal a decisive blow.
- by Ben Marlow