Barring major cyclonic damage from Alfred as it barrels into Brisbane tomorrow morning—for those of you in its path, stay safe!—Albo appears all but certain to call an election on either Sunday or Monday, after the week's expenditure review committee (ERC) meetings were all reportedly cancelled.
Australia's December quarter GDP was robust but there are plenty of gremlins lurking beneath the surface, with implications for inflation and interest rates.
As the US swings towards isolationism, Australia must forge new alliances to safeguard its interests.
Trump's failed peace deal leaves Ukraine exposed, allies wary, and aggressors empowered.
WA's battery subsidy is an expensive fix for today's grid issues that risks undermining its long-term economics.
How monetary easing and unchecked government spending may threaten Australia's fragile recovery.
This update has become something of a weekly policy analysis wrap, given the flurry of announcements we're getting ahead of a federal election that now looks like it'll be held on or before 12 April (today is the deadline for a 29 March election to be
Decades of policy decisions have strangled construction productivity, making housing increasingly unaffordable in Australia.
The RBA has cautiously cut rates, but was it a mistake? Implications for the federal election and a warning from America.
The Albanese government dropped a policy bomb on Sunday: a complete ban on foreign investors and temporary residents purchasing established homes for two years. I would write something about it, but I already did when Dutton proposed the same policy a couple of weeks ago. TL;DR: it's
Western Australia's upcoming election promises bigger subsidies for roads and rail, but unchecked spending fuels congestion, rewards sprawl, and leaves taxpayers with the bill.
Or how to hurt the very people you claim you're trying to help.
Inflation
Sometime this week US President Trump is set to unveil reciprocal tariffs "that match the duties imposed by other countries". Australia has very few tariffs left these days and has had a trade agreement with the US since 2005, so presumably won't be targeted (the agricultural
Trade
Could a global currency accord be Trump's tariff end-game?
Trade
The fallout from the first Trump 2.0 tariffs has continued into the week, with the latest casualty (other than global equities) being the risky crypto that had been bid up on what was 'supposed' to be a market-friendly Trump government: Crypto and equities subsequently rebounded a little
Trade
Trump's tariffs on Canada and Mexico are a case of self-flagellation—hurting consumers, exporters, and US credibility with no real gains.
Artificial intelligence
Has DeepSeek ignited an AI arms race that will reshape productivity and investment worldwide?
Inflation
The December quarter CPI inflation data were softer than expected.
Industrial policy
An Australia-wide long weekend kicks off tomorrow, and between the Perth Rugby Sevens tournament and Australia Day festivities I'm not going to have all that much time for the usual reading and writing. So the next time you'll hear from me will probably be in the
Elections
US President Donald Trump has already signed a hundred executive orders with wide-ranging implications, including for Australia.
Migration
Australia should prioritise skilled migrants by using prices and incentives instead of queues and quotas.
Employment
Strong labour force data in December have all but ruled out a February rate cut.
For whatever reason I've read more than the usual amount of interesting content over the past week, so here's another post replete with my thoughts on several topical issues. Nuclear is easier said than done In somewhat of a cautionary tale for Peter Dutton's
Reform
I trust everyone had a lovely weekend, or for those just getting back into the office, a wonderful summer break! The people want reform The Pew Research Centre released the results of its latest survey measuring the "support for changing the current economic system" across 36 countries: "