A dive in new home loans to property investors is an “encouraging sign” Labor’s changes to negative gearing and the capital gains discount are working as intended, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says. The number of investor loans fell 8.6 per cent in the June quarter, while first...
Social media companies do not know how many Australian teenagers remain on their platforms months after the introduction of laws banning those under 16. Meta, Snapchat, TikTok and Google on Friday appeared before a Senate inquiry considering legislation to impose bigger fines on tech giants failing...
The surge in artificial intelligence investment and Australia’s sluggish productivity growth rate are forcing the Reserve Bank to keep interest rates higher, a top central bank official says. Speaking two days after the RBA kept the cash rate steady at 4.35 per cent, assistant governor Chris...
As a kid, Emma Willliams’ favourite dinner was McDonalds. But now a mum-of-two with a backyard full of chickens, she’s desperate for her family to avoid packaged foods and is making it her mission to minimise food waste. “I find it really hard to waste food and...
When you are young, retirement can feel like a distant destination—something to think about after the mortgage is paid, the children have grown and your working life begins to slow down. Yet, looking back from the age of 70, 80 or beyond, it becomes clear...
Tax is one of those unavoidable parts of running a business. When things are going well, paying tax can actually be a sign that your business is profitable. But without planning, tax can also create cash-flow pressure, unexpected bills and, in the worst cases, serious...
Running a small business requires determination, resilience and a willingness to make decisions every day. But there is an important difference between owning a business and building an entrepreneurial enterprise. A good business owner can create a profitable, respected and sustainable operation. An entrepreneur takes that...
Most of us spend our lives making our own decisions. We manage our finances, property, health, family matters and everyday affairs without giving much thought to what might happen if one day we were unable to do so. An accident, serious illness, stroke, dementia or another...
For many Australians, winter brings the familiar urge to escape. The mornings are darker, the heater seems permanently switched on and suddenly somewhere with sunshine, blue skies and an outdoor table looks very appealing. But “escaping the cold” means different things depending on where you live....
Renovating a home can be exciting. A new kitchen, an outdoor entertaining area, an extra bedroom or a beautifully landscaped garden can completely change how a property looks and feels. But before choosing tiles, appliances or paint colours, there is a much bigger question worth asking: Why...