China will continue to buy our commodities regardless of whether we sign any broader economic agreement with it or not, writes Dr John Lee, from the Centre for International Security Studies, Sydney University.
Australia economy
The surprising head of #occupysydney: a 60-something activist
#occupysydney is an example of how well-developed networks operating outside the public eye, writes freelance journalist Adam Brereton.
Our recovery is hanging by a thread
The so-called recovery of 2009-2010 was never really a recovery, but rather, an orgy of government-funded speculation that fooled some, and enriched others (namely bankers and speculators).
Markets crash: headless chickens belting mild-mannered lemmings
The big fall on markets around the world was one of the more astonishing over reactions to the obvious that we have seen for some years.
China: the greater the bubble, the greater the collapse
The greatest effect of China’s extraordinary monetary growth has been felt in housing prices.
Crikey Clarifier: Why the debt crisis matters
Crises pass and problems are solved, after which we forget they existed in the first place, thus creating the conditions for them to happen all over again, writes John Addis, founder of The Intelligent Investor.
Kohler: Wall Street calls a code blue
America has reached its debt limit and must start cutting back just as the economy is apparently getting weaker. Something similar is happening in Europe and Australia.
Gottliebsen: pivoting on China’s prosperity
The current fall in world sharemarkets had better not spark a major decline in China because the Australian economic dependence on the Chinese has reached a level that is without precedent, writes Robert Gottliebsen.
Budget breakdown: the disease that ate the budget
It is concerning that the plan to return the budget to surplus in 2012-13 is dependent on rising commodity prices and the ongoing expansion of the resource sector, write James Arvanitakis and Alex Surace, fellows at the Centre for Policy Development.
Don’t cheer the dollar — cheap holidays will come at a cost
Media and business commentators continue their infatuation with the unstoppable rise of the Australian dollar.
Australia’s affluenza built on a house of sand
Australia’s economic miracle and recent bout of affluenza is built on a house of sand. Local debt and what appears to be an unsustainable boom in its biggest customer.
Stock market in free fall, even with a job ads jump
The strengths and weakness of Australia’s current economic and financial pictures were well illustrated in separate reports this morning. Here’s the complete global economic rub.
Oh yeah, we’re back in black
Australia’s trade account has stormed back into the black for the first time in a year. A surge in higher prices for iron ore and various coals boosted our export performance.
Miracle economy or Australia on life support?
Daily Media Wrap: National accounts released yesterday show Australia’s economy grew by 0.5% in the first three months of the year. Is the Rudd government’s love of stimulus packages to thank?
Slowdown in March as economy goes off the boil
If it wasn’t for another strong quarter of government spending, especially the federal schools program, the Australian economy might have been hard pressed to remain on the positive side of the ledger.
Searching for some Red Spot Specials in Swan’s Budget
Daily media wrap: Wayne Swan may be serving up a “no frills” Budget for 2010 today, but that won’t stop the pundits picking apart his packet of You’ll Love Coles Creole Creams in the vain hope of finding a genuine Oreo they can sink their teeth into.
Kohler: Welcome to Australia’s golden age
The only way to be glum in today’s economy is by reading foreign news sites, writes Alan Kohler. Australia’s own economy is booming, unemployment is down and house prices are up.
Gottliebsen: What if China’s boom busts?
Australia — from its government to its businesses — is basing its yearly budgets around the premise that the growth of China will continue. But the positive predictions of China’s economy may be deeply flawed, writes Robert Gottliebsen.
Stutchbury: Reform policies so resources can reinvigorate
Australia’s next big economic growth won’t come from Australia and our economic policies need to reflect that. Demand from India and China for minerals will drive our economy and industries like tourism and manufacturing will be left behind, writes Michael Stuchbury.
How Australia’s economy is kicking America’s arse
Australia’s natural resources, healthy banking sector and equity culture has seen the country virtually skip out on recession while the US struggles to keep its head above water. Elliot Gue casts a jealous eye over Australia’s recent economic performance.
Spending borrowed monies leads to false bravado
If you were to believe world stock markets, the recession is drawing to a close, with the wisdom of government spending and global monetary easing spurring the world to another economic recovery. But the markets have long proven to be an unfaithful talisman.
Aussie dollar may hit $US1.10
RBA chief Glenn Stevens and St George Bank’s chief economist both say the Australian dollar may hit parity with US currency as economic growth continues apace.
Political economy: neoliberalism emerges triumphant
It is looking increasingly likely that the neoliberal (whatever that is) paradise that is Australia’s economy is powering through the Great Crash with hardly a lost beat, says Henry Thornton.
Making a bad situation worse
The RBA may have hiked up interest rates on the belief that the economy is returning to normal — but its view of “normal” is out of whack, says Debtwatch. Perhaps it’s time to take control of Australia’s monetary policy out of the RBA’s hands?
What price a cuppa?
Afternoon tea is about to get a whole lot more expensive, with milk, tea and sugar prices are all at or near multi-year highs.
