Finance
Smarter energy at home: Serious ways to reduce electricity bills
14 May
Electricity bills have become one of the biggest household expenses, and for many families, the usual advice of “turn off the lights” simply does not go far enough. While small habits matter, meaningful savings often come from understanding...[Read More]
Navigating ownership changes: A guide for business owners
14 May
Changing a business’s ownership structure can be a complex process, often necessitated by various circumstances, such as partnership disputes, divorce, retirement, or the sale of the business. Regardless of the reason, it’s crucial to...[Read More]
Oliver’s Insights – The 2026-27 Budget – responsibility, productivity and fairness – or is it?
14 May
Key points The key changes are a wind back in negative gearing, the taxation of real capital gains, numerous moves to reduce regulation, and modest net budget cuts over five years. The projected deficits are now slightly lower over the budget...[Read More]
Investment markets and key developments – Weekly market update – 08/05/2026
14 May
Global share markets rose strongly over the last week led by US shares on the back of renewed hopes for a peace deal with Iran to reopen the Strait, strong US earnings results and mostly good economic data. For the week US shares rose 2.3%,...[Read More]
Labor tucks away $77b war chest for further tax cuts
14 May
Tax changes in the budget give the government scope to direct more relief to workers in future, raising the prospect of a 2028 pre-election sweetener. While higher taxes on assets will be returned to workers via tax cuts in the short term, Treasury...[Read More]
Business sector urges Canberra to tackle red-tape cuts
14 May
The federal government must crack on with harmonising regulations so that businesses like retailers, airports and farmers can avoid costly red tape, a major business lobby says. The Alliance of Industry Associations, representing 30 groups including...[Read More]
Electric car owners dodge road charge but pay more tax
14 May
Australia’s electric car drivers may escape a road-user charge for another year but will pay more tax under measures revealed in the federal budget. The changes are part of several reforms to support low-emission vehicles in the budget, including...[Read More]
Budget lacks energy for big renewable project reforms
13 May
Australia’s growing throng of solar panels, batteries and electric cars will be managed by a new regulator in a multimillion-dollar budget commitment welcomed by investment and climate groups. The change will come in addition to support for...[Read More]
Canberra embraces AI data crunch for medicines to tax
13 May
Artificial intelligence will be deployed across the federal government for everything from evaluating medicines to identifying tax fraud in a bid to boost the nation’s productivity. A long list of AI trials were named in the federal budget on...[Read More]
‘These geniuses’: PM’s generational housing gamble
13 May
Anthony Albanese is playing “gutsy” politics with sweeping changes to tax concessions for landlords but risks offending established investors who may not have expected the overhaul, an expert in politics says. From July 2027, negative gearing...[Read More]
EOFY is approaching: what can you do now to maximise this financial year and prepare for the next?
7 May
As 30 June approaches, many individuals and business owners start thinking about tax. But the best tax outcomes are usually achieved before the Financial Year ends, not after it. EOFY is the perfect time to review your income, expenses,...[Read More]
Oliver’s Insights – The RBA hikes again to control inflation – lessons learned from the 1970s
7 May
Key points The RBA hiked its cash rate for the third time this year by another 0.25% to 4.35% in response to inflation running above target and concerns that it will likely remain so for longer given price pressures partly flowing from the War...[Read More]
Investment markets and key developments – Weekly market update 01/05/2026
7 May
Solid economic data, enthusiasm around the AI‑driven growth outlook and strong earnings results pushed US equities higher this week, with the S&P 500 once again reaching a record high. The index rose more than 9% in April, rebounding sharply...[Read More]
What’s known so far about the federal budget
7 May
Jim Chalmers is putting the finishing touches on his fifth federal budget, with some of the measures starting to be revealed. WHAT’S ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THE BUDGET * The government has already flagged large cuts to the NDIS, with savings of $15...[Read More]
Aussies losing almost $5b in unpaid super every year
7 May
Australians are missing out on almost $5 billion in superannuation entitlements every year, with one in four workers affected nationwide. Workers were underpaid $24.4 billion across five years between 2018 and 2023, according to the latest...[Read More]