Economics
That's One Tough Dollar, but Oddly Down for September

True to its recent habit, the US dollar is finishing the week on a firm note. On the month, ...

Thursday Headlines: OPEC, Deutsche Bank and Many Fed Speakers

The US dollar has firmer against most major and emerging market currencies. It remains well ...
Markets
Does Japan's Democracy Have Room for Women and Children?

A wave of political activism has animated East Asian politics: Taiwan’s Sunflower Student ...

It's an Italian Thing

Italian Prime Minister has set the date for the constitutional referendum as late as practically ...
Investing
Are You Ready for Renminbi?

On October 1, the Chinese renminbi officially joins becomes the fifth international reserve ...

The Peso, but Probably not Voters, Moved by the Debate

The first US Presidential debate may not sway many voters but has lifted the Mexican peso. ...
Personal Finance
Apple is Just the Beginning for Ireland

When the European Union decided to fine Apple €13.5 billion for tax evasion in Ireland last ...

An Angry Apple

The EU’s ruling that Apple must pay the Irish tax authorities
Industries
Brothers in Energy

China used to call Russia its ‘older brother’. However, never again since the fall of ...

Move Over Oil, It's LNG

During this year’s G7 summit, Japan announced its vision of creating a LNG market to meet ...
Statistics

Australia

1 September 2016

Australian Rail...there's a Model for that...in Florida

Australia should look at examples from the US in finding private funding for urban rail development because the present model depends on government providing the capital, which it mostly doesn’t have.
26 August 2016

Treasurer Morrison Explains Australia's 'Earnings Problem'
19 August 2016

Moody's Likes Australia's Credit
18 August 2016

In Australia, Higher Sunday Pay is an 'Accident of History'
18 August 2016

Many Hope Australian PM Turnbull has a Plan B

Featured Articles

The Ausgrid decision probably could have been more transparent.

16 August 2016

Should Australians Have Known more about the Ausgrid Decision?

Treasurer Scott Morrison has decided not to approve a controlling stake for either of two Chinese bidders in Ausgrid, the electricity network in New South Wales. He has cited national security concerns but has refused to be drawn further on the reasons.

In explaining his rejection of the bids, Morrison said, “The only person who’s security-cleared in this room to be able to hear the answer to that question is me.”

Chinese investment in Australia is facing challenges from Treasurer Morrison.

12 August 2016

Australian Treasurer Morrison is Blocking Chinese Investment

China’s state-owned enterprises are becoming increasingly privatised, as government involvement shifts from full control to economic guidance. This means these firms should be treated like any other foreign investor when it comes to buying Australian assets.

Australians are learning Chinese because they need to know Chinese.

9 August 2016

Australians are Learning that They Need to Know the Chinese Languages

A spate of recently released policy documents from state governments in Australia speak clearly of China’s growing economic significance to their future. Each predicts rosy opportunities for two-way investment and a large bounty from inbound tourist flows.

Contained within the action plans are the means to realise these dreams through engagement, building relationships and the development of partnerships in terms, which express a shift from the transactional contact through trade to the interactional contact of service relationships.

Facing mounting debt and high costs, Australia's beef producers hopes are dim.

29 July 2016

Australia's Beef Producers Facing a Debt-Deflation Spiral

What will happen now that the rains have come to many parched beef lands of Queensland? Current high cattle prices and renewed pastures suggest optimism, even good times. Perhaps record exports from the world’s largest beef exporter? If only if was that simple.

While an important indicator of Australia beef prices peaked recently, analysts warned export volumes were likely to fall.

Italian migration to Australia is small, but those moving are feeling exploited.

22 July 2016

A New, Small Wave of Italian Migration to Australia is not Feeling Valued

Increasing numbers of young Italians are following in the footsteps of previous generations in migrating to Australia, but up to 40% report feeling exploited at work, and found it difficult to have their skills recognised, new research has found.

Any suggestion that there is a new exodus of Italians to Australia is probably overblown. In broad terms, the Italian share of the Australian Temporary visa program between 2004 and 2015 was a very small 1.5% of the national total.