Postcard from Gladstone, a small town in a big worldThe Queensland town of Gladstone may seem sunny and laid back, but its future hangs on the precarious movements of the global commodities market, with thousands of jobs in danger. That’s if the environmentalists don’t get to them first.
Economy
Government tests the power of positive thought
Can the government’s efforts to keep public discourse on the economy positive minimise the impact of the recession? asks Ross Gittins.
Protectionism is fine when it comes to people
The idea that immigration adversely affects employment is the “big lie” of Australian politics, writes Charles Richardson.
Japan? No. Try Russia, and the sick men of Eastern Europe
Every economy in the East is tanking: with Russia and the Ukraine probably the most damaged, writes Glenn Dyer.
Comitatus: Economic Security Package worked. Shock.
The $10.4 billion Economic Security Package not only worked, but worked nearly exactly as Treasury had forecast it would, writes Possum Comitatus
Of pointless pressers and partisan politics
A confused and irrelevant Opposition and a Government bent on playing partisan wordgames. Just what we need right now, writes Bernard Keane.
For heaven’s sake Julie Bishop!
Australia’s economy is on a knife edge…
What was the RBA advice on guaranteeing deposits?
The predictable consequence of the Government intervening in the financial market to guarantee loans and deposits – that those not afforded the same guarantee are competitively disadvantaged – didn’t take long to emerge, writes Bernard Keane.
Rudd’s package stimulates talkback
Has Rudd’s package left punters sufficiently stimulated to go forth and spend, spend, spend? Talkback has the answers.
Does the bank guarantee do enough?
Is the government’s plan to guarantee all bank deposits really the most equitable response? By David Lewis.
Local market climbs again as global bailout takes shape
While the Australian made some gains this morning, Europe and America weer finalising the details of their rescue packages for stricken banks, writes Glenn Dyer.
Aussie Banks are crying poor but spending big
In a time of severe economic turmoil, when banks can’t afford to pass on in-full a rate cut, they shouldn’t be allowed to buy up their competitors, argues Glenn Dyer.
Briefly Business: Pascoe, Foreclosure Alley, Iceland
Michael Pascoe previews the week ahead … What happens to the homes people walk away from … Iceland just the latest nation to joing the financial meltdown … Eurozone struggles for unified response.
Questioning Buffett’s “show of faith” in Goldman Sachs
On the surface of things, Warren Buffett’s buy into Goldman Sachs seemed canny. But might it come to be a burden? Adam Schwab investigates.
Eslake: Why Australian Banks are standing strong
Crikey asked Saul Eslake, Chief Economist with the ANZ Bank, to detail why Australia’s financial giants are in a more comfortable position than their international counterparts.
Global markets wrap: When a crunch becomes a freeze
The credit crisis is affecting markets the world over. Here, Glenn Dyer looks at how global markets are reacting.
NAB bullish on 0.5% rate cut
With the RBA set to decide on a rate cut next Tuesday, the NAB is confident they will cut by .5%. Glenn Dyer reports.
Kohler: What is a depression, and are we headed into one?
Recession, depression. Two words being used to describe where the global economy is or where it is headed. But what do they mean? By Business Spectator’s Alan Kohler.
Bailout. It’s Allliiive…
The tortured success of the bailout bill marks a moment in US in political and economic life. But now the hard work really starts. By Glenn Dyer.
EU shows what it means to be a competition watchdog
The European Union issued a massive fine overnight against nine companies for cartel-behaviour. Could be something in it for Australia’s competition watchdog. By Glenn Dyer.
The credit crisis is killing the US car industry
As far as the flow on effects from the credit crisis go, US carmakers and retailers are suffering almost as badly as the banks. By Glenn Dyer.
Global recession looms as leading economies continue to cool
The US economy is in recession, and now, worryingly, other major economies are also slowing. Is the world about to tip into recession? Glenn Dyer reports.
The BHP-RIO deal is dying. Time for some transparency
With the credit crisis making debt funded takeovers more and more difficult, it’s time BHP was more open with the market about its bid for RIO, writes Glenn Dyer.
