Calls for fresh inquiry into offshore 457 visasThe West Australian branch of the Maritime Union of Australia has called for a royal commission into the 45
Sims slams easy route to growthThe economy is suffering because too many Australian companies are taking the ‘‘easy route’’ of buying out domestic competitors rather than
Trump tax cuts threaten Australian competitiveness, say chairmenLack of action over the corporate tax rate has been flagged by leading business figures as an increasing co
ANZ fires up Asia exit in $1.8b saleANZ Banking Group is pressing ahead with its Asian exit strategy, selling a stake in a Chinese bank for $1.8 billion i
Barnett comes out swinging in fight to secure third termWestern Australian Premier Colin Barnett has ditched his usual Christmas and new year holidays to dig in and fight
Yellen rate hikes rattle marketsThe US Federal Reserve’s forecast for three interest rate rises in 2017 has rattled markets, raising fears that rising rates and bond yield
AAA could go at any timeThe fate of the nation’s AAA credit rating – and the impact of any change on interest rates – could be known before Christmas, with key rating agen
‘Cut tax rate’ to boost older workersA New Zealand-style universal pension system may be unworkable in Australia, but the country should reduce the effective marginal tax
Tax cut would boost incentive to workCutting the top marginal tax rate would encourage labour participation and help return the budget surplus, economists argue.
Woolworths smashes ACCC on suppliersWoolworths has scored a stunning win after being cleared of acting unconscionably by demanding retrospective payments
Shorten says no to loan for Adani mineOpposition Leader Bill Shorten has declined to back a call by the Queensland Labor government for the Commonwealth to help finance a
eBay steps up push against GSTThe global CEO of eBay, Devin Wenig, has met Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and key cabinet ministers to argue against budg
Western Power sale won’t force prices higher, analysts saySenior analysts and economists have trashed claims the West Australian Liberal government’s Western Power
Foreigners out of WA power saleThe WA government has blacklisted foreign investors from the first stage of the $11 billion privatisation of the state’s electricity grid, w
AAA loss to ‘ricochet through the economy’Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen will today outline the bleak scenario facing the nation’s banks and heavily indebted households if t
Attorney-General saga set to revert to SenateThe controversy about the role of Attorney-General George Brandis in the Bell Group High Court case seems lik
Brandis faces Senate inquiry over Bell instructionsAttorney-General George Brandis faces a snap Senate inquiry into what instructions he gave the Solicitor-General about a
Weakest GDP in five years loomsA growing number of economists are warning that the Turnbull government could be confronted with the weakest national accounts in more than
Morrison won’t rule ‘bonkers sugar tax’ outTreasurer Scott Morrison has declined to rule out a tax on sugar, only hours after Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce said it was a
Ciobo still hopes for TPP, minus USTrade Minister Steve Ciobo has thrown up the possibility of renegotiating a less ambitious version of the Trans Pacific Partnership trad
Boral’s $3.5b bet on USThe chief executive of building materials giant Boral, Mike Kane, says he is betting on a long-term US economic recovery and not ju
Weak wage gains blow out budgetThe Coalition government is bracing for a significant deterioration in next month’s budget update as weaker wages growth offsets any tax rev
Millions lost via dodgy trusts, says Tax OfficeJust a handful of dodgy tax structures being used by Australians cost tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue, according
Trump tax cuts must be matchedThe Coalition has seized on weak wages growth to fire up support for company tax cuts amid warnings from business that Australia must match D
RBA, IMF warn of debt, housing riskHeavily indebted Australian households and governments need to build greater financial resilience against a global economy facing fresh
China, Australia to push for new trade blocChina has singled out Australia as a key partner in a renewed push for a regional free trade pact at a meeting of Asia-Pacific l
Alarm over Shorten’s Trump-liteBusiness has slammed Labor leader Bill Shorten for using 457 visa holders as a ‘‘proxy punching bag’’ in an effort to tap into community fea
