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.

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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.

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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.

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Comments on this article
Comments PolicyGood to see some healthy cynicism creeping into your otherwise bullish tone (SCOREBOARD: Cliff notes, November 8).
So far Obama hasnt wasted any time calling in four Congressional leaders to discuss The Cliff and how they can reach some sort of compromise. Previously there really wasnt too much in the way of difference between the parties I might add. The main sticking point was whether rich people should keep tax cuts or not. This is laughable because the wealthy dont pay tax in America and nor should they......Not sure what you're saying here Adam..I guess tongue in cheek? (SCOREBOARD: Cliff notes, November 9)
From Urban dictionary:
Sarcasm
A tongue of which the user speaks of something the complete opposite of what the user means. It often has the best comedic value. (SCOREBOARD: Cliff notes, November 9)
The wealthy do not pay tax anywhere in the world anyway, never mind America. LOL !! (SCOREBOARD: Cliff notes, November 9)
Let's continue with the comedic method of demolishing absurd propositions such as it's good for the economy for the rich to pay less tax. (SCOREBOARD: Cliff notes, November 9)
I have this image of an American billionaire starting his day.
He rises after a sound sleep untroubled by fear. That's because he was protected by a police force that is, as is right and proper, being paid for by those less wealthy than he.
He can be sure that his nation will not be invaded any time soon.
Oh, that would be because of a mighty military, paid for, again as is right and proper, by the poor and middle class.
He will drive to his office on a road, the maintenance of which is paid for by... well, just see above.
His factories will be staffed by people who could only afford a public education, which of course is again paid for by... see above... again.
And when he goes to bed come evening, he will no doubt congratulate himself on the huge contribution his efforts have made to the common weal.
And in the moments before he slips off into the land of nod, he may well spend a few seconds mentally castigating those lazy poor and middle class who demand the right to live off the public purse.
Can't think what's wrong with that image.
To the point why is the Australian dollar so high still.
Is it pure fear from the rest of the world? (SCOREBOARD: Cliff notes, November 9)