Yesterday
- Opinion
- Leading Indicators
How Victoria became one of the rich world’s most indebted states
Victoria is the fourth-most indebted advanced economy state government outside the US. It may soon find there’s a fine line between nation-building and overbuilding.
- Michael Read
This Month
- Opinion
- Economics explained
Why price discrimination can be a good thing
The online age may make it easier for companies to predict what we’re willing to pay. But it also makes it easier for us to share stories of nasty corporate behaviour.
- Richard Holden
November
The small luxury Australians just won’t give up
Australians are hanging onto their subscriptions, reflecting a world in which the little luxuries may be all they have left.
- Lucy Dean
October
Home brands have had a makeover - and customers love it
As families faces stubbornly high mortgage and utilities bills, they are increasingly turning to Woolworths and Coles’ own brands. It is a lucrative sale.
- Gus McCubbing
Fears for Victoria as economy ‘diverges from other states’
Victoria has fallen behind the rest of the country across a range of economic indicators including for house prices, spending and business conditions as economists warn of a “clear divergence” from other states.
- Patrick Durkin and Gus McCubbing
‘A tax on jobs’: Cafes, bars, restaurants going belly up in Victoria
Independent economist Saul Eslake warns that a rise in hospitality insolvencies indicates the health of the Victorian economy is ‘deteriorating’.
- Gus McCubbing and Larry Schlesinger
Victoria slumps for business, as execs warn: ‘It’s really struggling’
CSL chairman Brian McNamee and former NAB CEO Ross McEwan warn that the state is in financial peril, as new business starts fell behind the rest of the country.
- Gus McCubbing and Patrick Durkin
September
- Exclusive
- Shopping
Bunnings CEO: Price gouging claims ignore lowest-price promise
The chief executive of hardware giant Bunnings, Mike Schneider, says the chain takes its promise to beat any competitor’s price seriously, and critics will not find evidence that it has engaged in price gouging.
- James Thomson and Tom McIlroy
It’s getting harder to find extra work to make ends meet
The number of people with multiple jobs is falling as the jobs market tightens.
- Euan Black
- Opinion
- GDP
Treasurer v the RBA: Why Chalmers and Bullock are both right
Jim Chalmers says the economy is getting smashed by high rates, but it’s still running too hot for the RBA. The answer is simple: productivity.
- Michael Stutchbury
August
‘Heartbreaking’: Melbourne stores bite the dust as workers stay home
Small-business owner Chelsea McIntosh has been forced to close down six out of seven gift shops she ran in Melbourne’s CBD as the retail sector has been rattled.
- Gus McCubbing
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Qantas case a timely warning for money-spinner Transurban
The flying kangaroo’s drama is relevant for Australia’s dominant toll operator, which is returning more cash than ever to investors despite political pressure.
- Anthony Macdonald
New signs of weakness in US economy, as consumers halt spending
Disney theme parks, Airbnb home rentals and Hilton hotels are among the latest companies seeing weaker consumer demand.
- Gregory Meyer, Anna Nicolaou and Christopher Grimes
July
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
The Good Guys debacle reveals inflation’s unexpected consequence
When inflation peaked at 7.8 per cent 18 months ago, no one could’ve predicted how it would affect some of our big brands.
- Anthony Macdonald
How the 50/30/20 budgeting hack can unlock your finances
This straightforward strategy suggests dividing your income into three buckets: needs, wants and financial goals.
- Holly Thomas
Which states are in ‘the slow lane’ for retail spending?
Retail sales in Victoria and Queensland are lagging the rest of Australia on a per-person basis, while Western Australia tops the spending charts.
- Updated
- Ronald Mizen
June
Saving less and spending less: why Australian households are unique
Australians are saving much less than their global peers as mortgage repayments and tax bracket creep eat into disposable incomes.
- Michael Read
Winners and losers in the NSW budget
Prospective homeowners, essential workers and developers are the biggest winners, while middle-income households facing cost of living pressures lost out
- Campbell Kwan
The Aussies fuelling a travel boom that’s defying the cost crunch
Interest rates and inflation are up, but hundreds of thousands of Australians are still managing to holiday abroad this year – sometimes helped by mum and dad.
- Euan Black
May
Pub would have to charge $20 a beer to survive. It’s closing instead
Popular watering hole The Carringbush Hotel in Melbourne’s inner city is closing down under the weight of rising costs.
- Gus McCubbing
