Alex Joiner, chief economist at IFM Investors, published a short analysis of the impacts of rising energy costs on the federal budgets and on Australians as a whole: Joiner argues that the energy shock is “not bad for Australia” but “terrible for Australians”. Joiner notes that higher energy prices will likely drive up Australia’s export
According to the CommBank Household Spending Insights Index, household spending in Australia fell in February 2026 for the first time since September 2024, capping a 17-month era of rise. Annual growth slowed to 4.9%, the lowest level since August 2025, while spending decreased by 0.5% during the month. The decline indicates that, following a protracted
In this week’s podcast, Nucleus Wealth’s Chief Investment Officer, Damien Klassen, takes a closer look at the so-called TACO trade — and whether the conflict in Iran could set the stage for a surprise turnaround. We explore what’s driving recent market moves, how geopolitics is reshaping sentiment, and whether investors should be bracing for more
The federal budget is facing deepening budget deficits and rising net debt. The Albanese government is seeking to raise revenue by a series of changes to the taxation of superannuation, property, and family trusts. For example, the government will increase the tax on the earnings of large superannuation balances from 15% to 30% for balances
Charts from TME. Oil volatility is still climbing and pricing well above spot. Oil stocks to the moon. We’re all BFTD retail now. VLCC rates are through the roof as floating storage becomes the new strategic reserve. Chyna! Lol. No good for EUR raising the prospect that, at some oil price soon, it is no
Leading independent economist Gerard Minack produced the following chart last year showing that population growth is a major contributor to house price growth across global housing markets: “I am gobsmacked by how many people don’t accept the obvious point that population growth has been a contributor – probably the single most important contributor – to
Most commentary on the local gas price has been very bearish about what is coming next. It can hardly be blamed for thinking so, given the Asian price for gas is sitting at about $22Gj, and likely to go much higher. While the local price has been about one-third of that. Gas prices have now
Australia’s “productivity tsar”, Professor Gary Banks, was the long‑serving founding Chair of the Productivity Commission (1998-2013). Back then, you could trust the Productivity Commission to deliver sound advice grounded in evidence. Sadly, after Banks departed as chair in 2013, the Productivity Commission lost its way and became politicised. Banks has long advocated strongly for evidence‑based
Late yesterday, in a conversation with Michelle Grattan on The Conversation’s Politics podcast, Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser talked about monetary policy, oil prices, and the Australian economy. Hauser said the Australian economy is now in fantastic shape. Over the past year, economic growth has accelerated, unemployment is still near all-time lows, and overall wealth and
Australia’s performative democracy is a circus of jingling clowns pretending to care about national interests while doing nothing of substance. This situation is largely due to the structure of political parties, which lends itself to corruption and cowardice in the face of vested interests. Therefore, political parties avoid conflict at all costs, even when it