Jim Chalmers’ housing pipedream remains a fantasy
Housing was a key issue in the May election, but that was so two months ago. We’re back to fudging it now, Michael Pascoe writes. There was absolutely nothing new…
EU trade chief heads to US in bid for tariffs solution
European Union trade chief Maros Sefcovic is heading to Washington DC for tariff talks, an EU spokesperson has told Reuters, adding that he will meet US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick…
Job figures the fresh piece of Reserve Bank rate puzzle
The Reserve Bank will have a keen eye on fresh data on Australia’s jobs market as its next decision on interest rates draws closer. Labour force figures for June will…
Dollar dazzler designs no silver bullet for housing woe
Slick housing designs costing less than an ice cream are being deployed to get more homes built, but detractors have dubbed the promotion a “thirst trap”. The “pattern book” of…
Albanese visits China, meets Xi Jinping, sky does not fall
While many deplore kowtowing to Beijing, or catastrophise about Premier Xi’s ambitions, Anthony Albanese’s trip to China is more than a symbolic reboot. Michael Sainsbury reports. Hawkish columnists, security hardliners,…
Treasurer to trumpet teamwork in face of US trade wars
Nations such as Australia that risk being entangled in Donald Trump’s trade wars have been urged to band together and ignore the increasingly dour superpower. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is preparing…
Heavy-hitter urges return of ‘world’s best’ carbon tax
Australia needs to bring back a carbon tax and should never have dumped the measure, an economic heavyweight says. Ex-Treasury secretary Ken Henry, now a leading environmental advocate, derided the…
UK inflation at highest in 18 months as food costs rise
UK inflation rose to a near 18-month high in June as food prices surged for the third month running, according to official figures. Consumer price index inflation rose to 3.6…
PM retraces predecessor’s steps on China’s Great Wall
Retracing the steps of Gough Whitlam atop the Great Wall of China, Anthony Albanese brushed off Chinese concerns about unfair business practices. The prime minister pitched himself as continuing the…
Cafes, small businesses fear brunt of surcharge cut
After the morning rush of lattes and flat-whites flying out the door, Alan Low likes to settle in with his own coffee and try to balance his cafe’s books. The…