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).
The federal budget revealed a worrying trend for the Australian economy, with disinflation a factor in the revenue slippage that led to the deficit.
The long-standing correlation in global economic data is being challenged. It reveals profound tensions underneath the world's central bank-inspired stability.
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.
Tim Toohey says yield hungry investors will search outside Australia for markets that offer better returns.
After months of campaigning against 'wasteful' Labor management, Tony Abbott will be aware similar scrutiny will apply to his government, should the Coalition win.
The federal budget revealed a worrying trend for the Australian economy, with disinflation a factor in the revenue slippage that led to the deficit.
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 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.
Whispers in Canberra suggest Bill Shorten is canvassing the numbers for support on a huge Labor carbon pricing backflip after the election.
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.
CEOs outline changing views on corporate spending and profits, their economic expectations and political dissatisfaction, including advice for Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott.
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.
Business Spectator is available on all of your devices so you can access the latest news and commentary where and how you like
Comments on this article
Comments PolicyRobert, you have written a number of articles on Asia-Pacific defence issues over the last couple of years, including today's where you say, amongst other things, "...by 2015, the US will not have air superiority in the Pacific". (See Australia's mission critical, October 4).
The gist of these articles seems to be - Australia is facing a far greater military risk now because of the relative decline of US as a military power, particularly in our region where China is increasingly flexing its political and military muscle. If this is true - and I think it is - then surely this ever- increasing military risk must soon be reflected in pricing of Australian assets.
When will Australian shares, bonds, property, currency and house prices start pricing in this ever increasing political and military risk? At the moment, it seems that the markets are assuming no change in the political and military balance that prevailed in the Pacific during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The Americans are going to do with the F-22 what they want for their own domestic political purposes (see Australia's mission critical, October 4). Australia has no real influence here. F-22 production is planned to end, and re-starting will involve large costs. The USA never had any intention of letting anyone else buy the F-22 and even if they did it most likely would not be a fully capable US version. It never was an option.
Robert: A very good synopsis. (See Australia's mission critical, October 4).
Also thought your readers might appreciate seeing the video from the presentation by Lt Gen David Deptula at the recent Air Force Association Conference in Maryland, USA, so here is a link.
That America will, under current plans, lose air superiority by 2015, if not before, is almost certain and poses extreme levels of risks for the USA and its close allies, like Australia.
The opportunity costs, like those of the global financial crisis, are almost immeasurable.
However, unlike the GFC which has brought into stark relief the challenges, pains and sufferings associated with sovereign financial risk and has affected pretty much every nation in the world, the JSF Ponzi scheme which is at the root of this loss of air superiority will put at risk the very sovereignty of those western nations that are part of the JSF coalition of the willing.
Thank god for Robert Gottliebsen but will it make the mainstream media? (See Australia's mission critical, October 4).
Certainly not the Fairfax group, nor the ABC.
Perhaps the time is ripe to lease some land to the US up north. And possibly the Brits as well. A 99 year lease for a naval base or two would probably do wonders for our security concerns, and throw a kind of spanner in the works (see Australia's mission critical, October 4).
I have now read a number of Robert's articles about the shortcomings of our selected aircraft, the F35 (see Australia's mission critical, October 4). I am wondering what the alternative is? The F22 is unavailable -- is he suggesting we buy a Russian or Chinese aircraft?
If Robert Gottliebsen (or anyone else) thinks that they actually know what the very latest fighter aircraft are - rather than the ones the military sees fit to let us know about - then they need to take a reality check (see Australia's mission critical, October 4). Remember the 'invisible bat wing' F117 stealth fighter and B2 stealth bomber? They were things that belonged in the realm of science fiction - before they were used in Iraq. What have the Yanks actually got available right now and in development? You can be sure they're not about to tell you, me, Bob, or anyone else for that matter.
Good point Bob Gottliebsen (See Australia's mission critical, October 4).
Considering the Americans have nano-bots that can fly up to an enemy aircraft and disassemble it at the molecular level in a few minutes they already know air superiority is a thing of the past.
Don't waste your (taxpayer) money.