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).
Martin Parkinson has provided some insight into how Treasury muffed its forecasts and cornered the treasurer, citing dollar behaviour, Asian growth mix-ups and miner optimism.
As global businesses lose confidence in Europe, the ripples are shifting requirements for Australian growth and even overhauling traditional management models.
Infrastructure and environmental services company Cardno is warning that the outlook for Australia's mining sector is worse than elsewhere.
Commodity woes and a disconnect between earnings and share valuations has seen Citigroup downgrade the Australian market.
Martin Parkinson has provided some insight into how Treasury muffed its forecasts and cornered the treasurer, citing dollar behaviour, Asian growth mix-ups and miner optimism.
Lack of federal budget transparency has allowed profligacy on both sides of politics, and while the Coalition has a plan for reform its hopes for a revenue jump are shaky.
The communications giant has laid out its plan to adjust to a more competitive digital environment while also easing exposure to its traditional platform-centric business.
Microsoft's next generation gaming console feels like a carbon copy of its predecessor. But its features also reveal Microsoft’s new intent, the Xbox One aspires to be something far more important.
Senator Xenophon is likely to hold the keys to repeal the carbon price. But in repealing it he could readily reconfigure Direct Action into an emissions trading scheme by stealth.
As its nuclear sector takes another blow, Japan's solar commitment could see it become the world's biggest solar market this year.
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.
China’s new leaders have been vested with great hopes for reform but deep factional divisions in the Politburo mean real change will be elusive.
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 PolicyYes thank you Mr Lee. Upto your usual high standard. (Groupthink and gridlock in China's fifth generation, November 14)
This politics as normal, with the only exception that some countries have bottom up elections occasionally. (Groupthink and gridlock in China's fifth generation, November 14)
My question would be: How do the 'princelings' and 'populists' line up on China's increasingly aggressive and nationalist (one might say expansionist) foreign policy? (Groupthink and gridlock in China's fifth generation, November 14)
Could it be that we are falling into the trap of viewing China through the safety of our existing views? (Groupthink and gridlock in China's fifth generation, November 14)
To describe the world's most trusted, successful government (as shown in most domestic and international surveys) in this dismissive way suggests that the author is, indeed, determined to 'view China through the safety of our existing views'. (Groupthink and gridlock in China's fifth generation, November 14)
There is no evidence that the new team are any less flexible and pragmatic than their predecessors. Quite the contrary.
John, again a lengthy argument with good detail but always the negative conclusion (Groupthink and gridlock in China's fifth generation, November 14). I look forward to the day when you can see the country moving forward even slightly?
The last comment that we are looking at the new China through our existing views needs consideration.
Slow reform leads to increasing pressure from th ever increasing pool of frustrated citizens....leading, inevitably, it seems, reading China's history,
to a revolution and installation of some rural warlord as premier. (Groupthink and gridlock in China's fifth generation, November 14)
It will happen again.
To me, the word "radical" conjures up images of Communist revolutions around the world, French revolution in France, and Great Culture Revolution in China (Groupthink and gridlock in China's fifth generation, November 15). Alexander Hamilton, one of founding fathers of America, strongly argued against radical change from the Westminster system. In fact, he believes that the Westminster system is the best ever political system being created by mankind and strongly argued that the new country - America, should continue use the Westminster system. China's present political system is very undesirable, but it doesn't warrant a radical change. Radical change is often based on ideology, ignoring all the practical problems. To those impatient radicals, I have to remind them social and political reforms are fraught with danger. The father of Taoism Laozi famously said to manage a big country is like cooking a small delicate fish.
In economy language, Mr.John Lee is squarely in the 'Perma-bear' camp (Groupthink and gridlock in China's fifth generation, November 14). Not a surprise considering he's the author of a book that sells on doom and gloom on China. What is impressive is the maturity of the readers to critically analyse the content. I certainly agree with Jack Finch that the last thing a big country like China needs is a large scale radical revolution!