Featured Opinion
Why there’s no free lunch in government
The Albanese government is still struggling to break out of a post-Voice gloom, with new policies failing to stop the lingering sense of drift permeating Canberra.
Columnist
Councils are the obstacle as our cities grow
Sydney in particular needs councils who listen to the needs of the city and the economy, not the excessive fears of local NIMBYs.
Editorial
Why mining lies at the heart of Australia’s productivity problem
Australia badly needs towards diversify towards more productive industries. The politically privileged position of the mining industry is one of the obstacles.
Economist
Americans are moving closer to climate risk. This is why
Individuals and businesses have been willing to ignore the longer-term financial and human risk of extreme weather in favour of the short-term gains.
Contributor
White demographics did not drive the Voice vote
It wasn’t old, white voters who made the Voice referendum fail. The Yes campaign aimed at elites, and took the rest of Australia for granted.
Indigenous advocate
How a sunken ship underlines our hollow defence preparedness
The loss of a New Zealand naval vessel reflects the same decline of niche maritime capability that Australia suffers from.
Defence expert
Australians lose billions to scammers - but reform laws lack teeth
The country has been a happy hunting ground for criminals running high-tech scams. New laws may not help consumers seeking compensation.
Contributor
Queensland’s free lunch underscores states’ debt spiral
State government spending is driving a rising debt pile, and spilling into the national economy as inflationary pressure.
Editorial
Yesterday
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
This card surcharge crackdown won’t solve cost of living crisis
It would be great for shoppers if the RBA and the competition watchdog found widespread rorting of payment surcharges. But don’t hold your breath.
- Anthony Macdonald
End secrecy in scam overhaul
Readers’ letters on scam reforms, economic policies in the US election, Queensland Labor’s school lunch policy, politicians taking on the supermarkets, Scott Morrison’s new space job and architecture at Atlassian.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Virgin earnings provide fresh clues on what the airline is worth
The airline’s results suggest Jayne Hrdlicka has taken advantage of Qantas’ distraction.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Macquarie’s private equity job at Vocus hits $5.25b peak
Macquarie is again pushing the boundaries of what it means to be an infrastructure investor in Australia.
- Anthony Macdonald
- Opinion
- US Votes 2024
The big problem Trump and Harris don’t want to talk about
National debt is one of the most pressing issues facing the US and, if left unchecked, could trigger a fiscal crisis. But don’t expect the candidates to mention it.
- Michael Strain
- Opinion
- Leading Indicators
Myth of the job-hopping Millennial worker exposed
Despite headlines about fickle Millennial and Gen Z employees, young people are switching jobs less than previous generations.
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
From Bunnings with love: New Lendlease boss wants reset, then growth
New chairman John Gillam has backed chief executive Tony Lombardo to oversee the turnaround. Long-suffering investors will want to see accountable results.
- James Thomson
This Month
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Tabcorp’s silent hands reveal how activism really works
As AGM season ramps up, the behind-the-scenes discussions happening at Tabcorp are a rare example of how shareholders shape corporate Australia.
- Anthony Macdonald
- Opinion
- Governance
How David Evans’ wealth vision went horribly wrong
The top stockbroker wanted to create a firm based on old world trust and integrity. But now its best chance of success lies in a retreat from life as a listed company.
- Jonathan Shapiro
- Opinion
- Political leadership
Anthony Albanese has yet to grow into the prime minister’s job
The prime minister is a political operator rather than a visionary. His inability to persuade and sustain arguments is beginning to show.
- James Curran
- Opinion
- US election
Time for Kamala Harris to start ‘scaring the crap out of voters’
Veteran political strategist James Carville and others in the Democrats camp are worried their presidential candidate is failing to land the hard punches as the weeks tick by.
- Maureen Dowd
- Opinion
- Universities in crisis
How do our universities get their social licence back?
There are four issues that universities need to address if they are to revive their troubled reputations in Australian society.
- Shamit Saggar
- Opinion
- Voice to parliament
Why the Voice went unheard at the referendum
The proposed constitutional change was based on an ideology of Indigenous separatism. It is not the way to get the progress that First Nations people so clearly need.
- Anthony Dillon
Vic Liberals’ policy vacuum opens the door for teals
Readers’ letters on the infighting within Victoria’s opposition; federal Labor losing its way and running scared; gas supply; handouts for surgeons; and the value of mass genetic screening.
- Opinion
- Carbon pricing
Why every investor should be thinking about carbon pricing
If we integrate the financial costs of greenhouse gas emissions into our investment decisions, we can figure out what opportunities this opens up for making money.
- Katrina King
- Opinion
- The AFR View
A year on, Labor needs to find another vision
The Voice defeat taught the Albanese government it needed to focus on the economy. But it needs to take better policies to the next election.
- The AFR View
- Opinion
- Diversity
How women can remove the ‘ick’ factor and become experts
One of the greatest barriers to women owning their expertise publicly is fear of criticism and being exposed as an imposter.
- Penny Locaso
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Musk’s robotaxi show leaves more questions than answers
It looked cool, but Elon Musk’s big We, Robot event gave Tesla investors little in the way of substance around where the company goes next.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- US election
The US presidential election is a contest of economic illiterates
There is a lot of crazy economic policy being spruiked by both sides of American politics, but thinking people know serious, substantive policy debate will take place next year.
- Steven Hamilton
- Opinion
- Superannuation
How your kids could help you avoid this super death benefits catch
The transfer balance cap also applies to pensions received on death and this is where it may catch you out.
- Colin Lewis
- Opinion
- Global economy
Understand Xi and you’ll adjust expectations for China stimulus
Where Beijing’s powerful state economy is headed will be determined by the Great Helmsman.
- Richard McGregor
