Independent MPs join forces to take on Woolworths, Coles over high market share
Peter Martin Independent MPs Bob Katter, Andrew Wilkie and Nick Xenophon have united to back a law that would force the two big supermarket chains to sell up to half their stores.
Abbott's blueprint?
Peter Martin Peter Martin says Tony Abbott's promised Commission of Audit is likely to reach the same conclusions as a similar report 17 years ago.
How an Abbott government may run the economy
Peter Martin What would Tony Abbott do? As with all potential prime ministers there's no way to be sure. But thanks to an unusual instance of history repeating, we've been given an unusually clear idea of what...
Analysis
Cuts gathering on horizon if Abbott takes the reins
Peter Martin The age pension is just one of the payments that could face a shake-up under his regime.
Treasury boss calls for rate cuts as dollar falls
Peter Martin The head of the Treasury says the Reserve Bank should be prepared to cut interest rates further as the Australian dollar falls, if necessary temporarily breaching its target and allowing inflation to...
Visa changes proposed to crackdown on employers
Peter Martin The Gillard government is set to consider tougher than previously flagged penalties on employers who misuse the so-called 457 visa program, beefing up fines for employers who hire workers from...
Do not fear a big deficit, says OECD
Peter Martin The next Australian government should be prepared to push the budget even further into deficit if the economy weakens, the OECD says.
Still the lucky country, but some work too many hours
Peter Martin Australia has scored the unofficial title of the best address on Earth for the third year running in an OECD survey of what constitutes good living.
Too soon for savings detail but Hockey fine to offer a feeling
Mark Kenny, Peter Martin Declining to rule out harsh savings such as reducing the childcare rebate, Joe Hockey says further tax cuts would have to wait until the budget was repaired under a future Coalition government.
Hockey plays it cool on chances of any tax cuts
Mark Kenny, Peter Martin Further tax cuts would have to wait until the budget was repaired under a future Coalition government.
Fears loss of bonus will push early births
Peter Martin Treasurer Wayne Swan is being urged to smooth the 'sudden death' end of the baby bonus.
GST rise may help fix failing system: Premier
Peter Martin, Henrietta Cook Labor managed to have a tax review without talking about it. The Coalition has promised not to touch it in its first term. But NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell says it is time for a ''dinkum'' discussion.
Fears births will be brought forward
Peter Martin Treasurer Wayne Swan is being urged to smooth the ''sudden death'' end of the baby bonus, due to fall from $5000 to $500.
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.
Wayne's swansong not the budget he had in mind
Peter Martin Keeping interest rates low is about the only slogan left for Treasurer Wayne Swan before Tuesday's budget.
Smoke signals but there simply isn't any good news
Peter Martin Good news will be scarce on budget night, but there will be something - for smokers, at least.
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.
'We're in uncharted waters'
Peter Martin Economics correspondent Peter Martin explains why the Reserve Bank cut official interest rates to a record low on Tuesday.
Swan seeks help to cut profit shifting's drain on revenue
Peter Martin Treasurer Wayne Swan has reached out to his counterparts in Russia and Britain as part of a global assault on multinational profit shifting that will form a cornerstone of the budget on May 14.
