Productivity growth weak, and worsening
Peter Martin Australia's productivity growth is weak and likely to worsen, the Productivity Commission has found. But it says Australia isn't alone.
Report
Productivity growth weak, and worsening
Peter Martin Australia's productivity growth is weak and likely to worsen, the Productivity Commission has found. But it says Australia isn't alone.
Battle for small business
Peter Martin The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has recast itself as a champion of small business in the lead-up to the election, using a National Press Club address to launch a campaign called ''The...
GDP
WA recession claims are 'hysteria'
Peter Martin Treasury describes as "hysteria" reports of tumbling demand in the mining state.
Economy
Reserve Bank holds rates
Peter Martin The Reserve Bank has left the door open to further interest rate cuts, saying it has ''scope for further easing''.
Economy
Reserve to hold fire on rates
Peter Martin The Reserve Bank board is expected to keep interest rates on hold when it meets on Tuesday.
Rates
RBA rates call still a tough one
Peter Martin Dismal news on retail sales, company profits and a soft inflation reading will strengthen the hand of those within the Reserve Bank who would like to cut interest rates once more on Tuesday.
Economy
Manufacturers urged to find savings in technology
Peter Martin Manufacturers cutting spending because of the high dollar risk shooting themselves in the foot by being far less likely to adopt new technology, an Australian Industry Group survey has found.
Economy
Australian confidence 'fragile': OECD
Peter Martin The next government should be prepared to push the budget even further into deficit says OECD.
Financial services
RBA shake-up on credit cards
Peter Martin Sometimes a regulator can be too safety-conscious. The Reserve Bank has outed itself as one such regulator.
Economy
Soft landing seen for construction
Peter Martin Mining investment boom has peaked, but way down not too frightening forum says.
Economics
Weak tax take threatens services: Treasury
Peter Martin Australians will have to pay more tax or expect poorer services, Treasury head warns.
Treasury chief pulls no punches
Peter Martin Australians will have to pay more tax or expect poorer government services, the head of the Treasury has warned.
A super-nasty problem awaits the Coalition
Peter Martin Accepting the bulk of Wayne Swan's budget cuts will only get Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey so far.
Treasurer resists urge to wield axe
Peter Martin In the face of enormous pressure to return the budget to surplus quickly, Wayne Swan has run the other way.
Economy expected to muddle through
Peter Martin Australia's economic future is strong but uncertain, according to the Treasurer. The massive resource investment boom is shifting to a boom in production and exports.
It's good to aspire, but know what you're aspiring to
Peter Martin Michael was outraged. Earlier in the week I'd written that anyone earning more than $210,100 a year was ultra-rich, in the top 1 per cent.
Stubbornly high dollar prompts historic rate cut
Peter Martin Deep concern about the high Australian dollar drove the Reserve Bank to cut its cash rate to the lowest level on record on Tuesday, a cut quickly passed on by all but one of the big banks.
Incomes soar in Sydney's best-paid postcode
Matt Wade and Peter Martin Incomes in Australia's best-paid postcode – Sydney's Darling Point area – rose by more than $21,000 in 2010-11, the latest Tax Office figures show.
A decade of deficits forecast
Peter Martin Australia faces a decade of budget deficits with the annual total set to pass $60 billion in 2023 unless governments take tough action to "share the pain", an expert panel has warned.
