Business Spectator Home Page

Incoming Defence Minister John Faulkner has a last minute opportunity to save Australia's air defence from becoming next to useless – an opportunity three previous ministers have failed to grasp.  9 Feb 2010 7:48 AM

Picking the short-term market moves is currently very difficult, as bulls and bears take it in turns to dominate. Longer term, however, the picture is much clearer.  8 Feb 2010 7:34 AM

Traders were in a minor panic last night as they sensed trouble from Greece and the European markets. The implications for Australia could be severe.  5 Feb 2010 8:45 AM

Santos chief David Knox has some important news – for shareholders, for the Australian economy, for the environment and for the government, if it cares to listen.  4 Feb 2010 3:27 PM

If the European Union won't help failing member states, it will have to cast them off – a pattern of disintegration that brings the complex second stage of the GFC into sharp relief.  4 Feb 2010 10:38 AM

The outcome of the High Court case which pitted the rights of a single farmer against the New South Wales industrial relations system will have a massive impact on the state's fortunes.  3 Feb 2010 4:37 PM

Ben Chifley tried attacking Australia's engines of wealth creation just before losing the 1949 election. Now, faced with Abbott's new climate change plan, Kevin Rudd risks repeating history.  3 Feb 2010 7:48 AM

Populist policies around the world may be winning the hearts and minds of voters, but they are threatening to undermine the drivers of economic prosperity.  2 Feb 2010 7:52 AM

The Australian property market is undergoing changes that will fundamentally alter the urban landscape – developments that will make car makers nervous.  1 Feb 2010 7:36 AM

Analysts who correctly picked the sub-prime crisis and the slide in eastern Europe think China's growth rate will take a tumble. That would put Australia in a very difficult position.  29 Jan 2010 7:59 AM

Australia can reduce its own carbon footprint and prepare for global carbon trading without resorting to the anti-business mechanism proposed by Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull.  28 Jan 2010 6:46 AM

The government hopes that additional taxing of mineral exports can bridge the growing disparity between tax revenues and spending plans. Tough decision making is a more certain solution.  27 Jan 2010 8:20 AM

A debate is raging among some of Australia's iconic commentators about whether there's a future for the union jack on the Australian flag. Have we really changed that much?  26 Jan 2010 11:30 AM

Some of the problems that led to the Dubai property bubble are clearly evident in China. Though the government will do all it can to prevent the bubble bursting, it's fighting a losing battle.  26 Jan 2010 7:20 AM

Traders are worried that the Dow has broken the trend line and may be headed for trouble. Whatever the sentiment, studying the fundamentals shows higher capital costs are on the horizon.  25 Jan 2010 7:41 AM