Australia’s economy grew at its fastest annual rate in almost three years in the December quarter, rising 2.6%, although this is still modest growth by historical standards. Gross domestic product (GDP) for the quarter rose 0.8%, picking up from 0.5% in the September quarter, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Both private-sector and government…
Canberra’s residential property market is structurally distinct within Australia. Its clear segmentation, policy-driven income base, constrained supply, and unique tax framework create a niche market characterised by low volatility, regime-driven behaviour, and counter-cyclical tendencies. Unlike Melbourne’s credit-sensitive apartment market or Sydney’s globally priced scarcity model, Canberra responds primarily to fiscal and policy conditions rather than…
Do you drink freshly brewed coffee to start off your day? Or is a cup of English breakfast tea a better option for you? Your choice could be a result of your genes, and how they affect your experience of bitter flavours. Published a few years ago, our study shows that the likelihood of a…
Figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that over the year to December, wages grew by 3.4%. For households, however, the number that really matters is what happened to wages after inflation. Over the same period, the consumer price index (CPI) rose by 3.8%. This means real wages (wages after accounting…
For many investors, financial planning starts with a clear goal in mind: growth. Property, shares, and long-term returns often dominate the conversation, especially in a market where building assets feels like the most direct path forward. Yet long-term planning involves more than what you grow. As investors think more broadly about resilience and continuity, topics…
Immigration has become a hot-button issue in Australia, particularly amid specious claims it is responsible for the housing crisis and straining the economy. Recent anti-immigration rallies across the country have brought it further into the public spotlight. With the next federal election less than three years away and the Coalition set to release its migration…
If you invest in property, you’ve probably noticed how often Bitcoin now comes up in conversations that used to be all about interest rates and auction clearance numbers. When the BTC AUD price moves sharply, it tends to grab attention in a way few other assets do. That alone raises an uncomfortable question. Is Bitcoin starting to…
There has been a spate of articles and commentary in recent days calling on the Australian government to reduce spending. Those calling for government cuts – mostly long-time advocates of smaller government – claim this would lower inflation, and as a consequence reduce interest rates. In fact, claims that government spending is now a very…
When the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board voted unanimously to lift the cash rate to 3.85% on Tuesday, the decision was driven by one overriding concern. It wants to stop the rising cost of living from becoming entrenched. For some, like self-funded retirees, the rate rise was good news. Higher interest means their savings…
Renovations have historically been the ultimate test of patience. Anyone who has survived a home remodel knows the specific kind of fatigue that sets in around week three. You are drowning in fabric swatches, your contractor is asking questions you don’t understand, and the budget has already developed a mind of its own. For decades,…
