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 long-standing correlation in global economic data is being challenged. It reveals profound tensions underneath the world's central bank-inspired stability.
After months of campaigning against 'wasteful' Labor management, Tony Abbott will be aware similar scrutiny will apply to his government, should the Coalition win.
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.
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.
There was mixed news in the budget for energy efficiency programs, with the Low Carbon Communities program losing $47 million while the industry-focussed Clean Technology Investment program remained intact.
As renewables surge, total electricity supplied by coal-fired generators is at its lowest level since the start of the NEM, in 1998. Meanwhile, electricity demand and emissions continue to drift lower.
Gas prices are high and rising, hurting energy users across the country. But, through a combination of energy efficiency and renewables, there is a solution – and by chasing it, we can boost export profits.
Part two of a look into Australian electricity demand explains why last year's forecasts for 2020 are likely at least 10 per cent too high. No wonder the electricity sector is worried.
SP Ausnet data hidden in obscure reports reveal 5-star housing energy efficiency regulations have had a significant impact on gas and electricity demand.
Forecasts for electricity demand in Australia remain way off the mark. In fact, there’s little reason to think we’ll be using more electricity in 2020 than we are now.
There's been much recent talk about Bitcoin, but few know that 'digging' for the virtual currency requires a staggering use of energy. Today’s Bitcoin search alone could have powered 33,901 US homes – and it's getting worse.
Today’s energy policy frameworks are hindering progress towards new models by giving incumbents excessive market power and blocking innovation. This will change, either through conflict or cooperation – or both.
Almost 10 per cent of Australian dwellings now have solar water heaters, but the removal of government support has seen a sharp scale-back in installations over the last couple of years.
The smart home and smart cities markets – aimed at making our technologies, homes and cities more intelligent – are set to double by 2017, a new report says.
Rapidly growing China is now looking at more sustainable development. From architects to eco-cities, Australia has something to learn from China’s solutions.
Annualised electricity demand rose (albeit slightly) for the first time in over a year in March, but it took a record hot spell to get there. Meanwhile, emissions continued to wane.
A new IMF study has revealed there's almost $2 trillion worth of energy subsidies around the world and while people want cheap energy, subsidies aren't the best way to achieve this.
The hysteria around the dangers of insulation is ridiculous and leading politicians to make irrational policy decisions on energy efficiency, including the decision yesterday to exclude insulation from the Victorian Energy Saver Incentive scheme until 2015.
