Hockey lashes 'culture of regulation'
Shadow treasurer says small business capabilities should provide benchmark for regulation.
•Govt running tax scare campaign: Hockey
Wall Street closes at fresh highs
US markets set new records as consumer sentiment beats forecasts.
Coalition threatens double-dissolution
Plan calls for parliament to abolish tax within five months or fresh election would be called.
•Repealing carbon tax immoral: MP
Coal mines can't compete: report
Research suggests Aust mines increasingly uncompetitive.
Australian dollar hits fresh low
Local currency continues descent, hits fresh 11-month low.
Crean refused PM's order to resign
New details emerge about Simon Crean spat with Gillard.
Gold falls for 7th straight session
Precious metal slides amid bolstered US economic optimism.
Qld approves Crown-Echo tie-up
Approval allows Crown to lift Echo stake above 10%.
US approves LNG export plant
Approval signals greater openness to expanding LNG exports.
Tiger Australia narrows loss
Airline reports loss despite doubling of revenues.
Greek economic recovery missing out on jobs growth
Lenders see end to Greek recession, but high unemployment to continue.
PM hits back at Rinehart criticism
Gillard says claims economy facing EU-style slowdown is 'nonsense'.
•Miners treated like ATMs: Rinehart
Gillard seizes on Abbott GST comments
Oppn leader says he won't alter GST without a mandate from states, public.
Bracks to quit Cbus for govt role
Carr appoints former Vic premier Australia's new consul-general to New York.
Tinkler resolves ATO debts
Coal baron settles four debts with ATO, including two related to sports groups.
BUDGET 2013: Abbott sidelines super for carbon tax sweeteners
Opposition leader pledges to delay super guarantee hike to fund tax cuts.
•BUDGET 2013: ACCI welcomes oppn super plans
Spain posts trade surplus
Monthly trade surplus is first for Spain since 1971.
China moves on SP AusNet
China's State Grid Corporation to buy near 20% shareholding in Melb network.
IMF bankrolling $450m Brisconnections class action
Group launches suit against Arup over traffic forecasts prepared for toll road.
Wesfarmers flags 'disappointing' Target earnings
Goyder says weak H2 sales performance will weigh on full-year result.
•Wesfarmers urged to share wealth: report
Leighton class action tipped for court
Maurice Blackburn confirms suit over disclosure of shock profit downgrade in FY11 to go ahead.
IRS head admits 'mistakes'
Resigned chief faces heat for targeting conservative US groups.
Katter not worried about Palmer
Independent MP says more political parties the better.
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Spectators
Alan Kohler
Alan Kohler is one of Australia’s most experienced commentators and journalists. Alan is the founder of Eureka Report, Australia’s most successful investment newsletter, and Business Spectator, a 24-hour free business news and commentary website. He also hosts Inside Business, a half-hour Sunday programme on the ABC, is the finance presenter on the ABC News - and producer of the nightly graph (or two).
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Economy
Latest stories
WEEKEND ECONOMIST: Slip, slipping away
The federal budget revealed a worrying trend for the Australian economy, with disinflation a factor in the revenue slippage that led to the deficit.
Delinking indicators warn of a fractured system
The long-standing correlation in global economic data is being challenged. It reveals profound tensions underneath the world's central bank-inspired stability.
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Markets
Latest stories
MARKETS: Riding the emotional waves
Hedge fund manager David Hobart says the key to investing is being aware of the emotions that drive markets – and how you manage your own.
MARKETS SPECTATOR: The local yield story is over
Tim Toohey says yield hungry investors will search outside Australia for markets that offer better returns.
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Politics
Latest stories
A subtle shift for Abbott's razor gang
After months of campaigning against 'wasteful' Labor management, Tony Abbott will be aware similar scrutiny will apply to his government, should the Coalition win.
WEEKEND ECONOMIST: Slip, slipping away
The federal budget revealed a worrying trend for the Australian economy, with disinflation a factor in the revenue slippage that led to the deficit.
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Technology
Latest stories
Why Google Music's stuck on repeat
Google's new product announcements typically impress. But this latest announcement about Google Music shows that the company is happy to copy other incumbents and not blaze its own path in the digital music scene.
The evolution of the social media advisor
The newly created role of the social media adviser is one shrouded in mystery. Part PR, part digital media specialist, it's yet to fully understand its place in Australian politics.
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Climate
Latest stories
Is this the end for Labor's 'CarbonChoices'?
Whispers in Canberra suggest Bill Shorten is canvassing the numbers for support on a huge Labor carbon pricing backflip after the election.
Obama's climate agenda nears judgment day
The US Supreme Court's decision whether to take up any of the petitions against climate change regulations could shape or shatter the Obama administration's efforts to solidify its climate change agenda.
- Industries
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Video
Latest videos
How to build a service business in China
King and Wood Malleson's China Partner David Olsson explains how Australian companies can tap into the huge demand... -
Knowledge Centre
Featured stories
Download the December CEO Pulse survey
CEOs outline changing views on corporate spending and profits, their economic expectations and political dissatisfaction, including advice for Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott.
TECHNOLOGY SPECTATOR: The audacious app trying to take over TV
UK-based Zeebox wants to be the intermediary for all social media-television interactions. It will not only have to lure viewers, but the networks themselves.
The Spectators
Is this the end for Labor's 'CarbonChoices'?
Whispers in Canberra suggest Bill Shorten is canvassing the numbers for support on a huge Labor carbon pricing backflip after the election.
KGB: Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey
The shadow treasurer says he's reluctant to blame Martin Parkinson for poor federal budget forecasts, the Opposition would build liquidity for government bonds and small business should set the benchmark for government regulation.
WEEKEND ECONOMIST: Slip, slipping away
The federal budget revealed a worrying trend for the Australian economy, with disinflation a factor in the revenue slippage that led to the deficit.
Broken Glass won't hurt gung-ho Google
So far Google Glass has been underwhelmingly modeled by unfashionable white men. But Google continues to outshine its tech-giant peers in the media with its boldness to innovate.
Delinking indicators warn of a fractured system
The traditional correlation between economic data points in the world's economy is being flipped, highlighting profound tensions beneath the world's central bank-inspired stability.
China places a big, soft paw on Australia's grid
A large portion of Australia's utility interests will switch from Singaporean to Chinese ownership. But the giant State Grid will be taking a back seat in management.
MARKETS: Riding the emotional waves
Hedge fund manager David Hobart says the key to investing is being aware of the emotions that drive markets – and how you manage your own.
TECHNOLOGY SPECTATOR: Playing politics with social media
The newly created role of the social media adviser is one shrouded in mystery. Part PR, part digital media specialist, it's yet to fully understand its place in Australian politics.
THE LAST GASP: From the same cloth
A deficit – or surplus? – of fashion sense saw Wayne Swan and Tony Abbott on the same page, for once, while Julia Gillard painted the town, in a fashion.
A subtle shift for Abbott's razor gang
After months of campaigning against 'wasteful' Labor management, Tony Abbott will be aware similar scrutiny will apply to his government, should the coalition win.