Former Treasurer Peter Costello recently published an opinion piece titled “We’ve wasted 20 years. It’s time to rebuild our great nation.” The timeframe he references coincides with the period since he left the Treasurer role following the 2007 election.
Notably, the article proposed little in the way of strategic fiscal reform beyond a call to reduce ...
Whenever I make a speech to retirees, I always begin with one of the most basic questions people need to think about. It’s almost inevitable that at some point you – or your partner, if you’re in a couple – will need care. Is your home one where that care can be provided? That became very real for me two years ago when I broke my ankle and discovered ...
For the past few decades, being in shape was the ultimate ‘proof of work’. You couldn’t buy it. You had to earn it. Unless you had top 5% genetics, you had to build your physique through diet and exercise.
But then something incredible happened. GLP-1 agonists (like Ozempic) hit the market and, overnight, a better body was only a weekly injection away. ...
The theme of International Women’s Day was “give to gain”. If you are still thinking about giving a donation or volunteering I have a suggestion. Consider giving yourself, your daughters or your mother financial advice to gain economic security. Because you probably know these stats: women tend to score lower on financial literacy tests, end up with ...
While the debate over public spending and its effect on inflation dominates current economic talk, energy policy and the transition to renewable energy is often overlooked as a driver of inflation in Australia.
The cost of energy flows through to the cost structure of the whole economy. Elevated energy costs inflate unit labour costs and weigh on ...
After a prolonged cycle of US outperformance, 2026 marks a pivotal rebalancing. Europe is entering a ‘Goldilocks’ scenario of cooling inflation and lower rates, turbocharged by accelerating fiscal stimulus. Yet, equity valuations have not fully priced in this recovery. This lag is most acute looking across different market capitalisation ranges, ...
There have been some quite significant moves in asset prices in recent times. The dramatic increase in the price of gold over the past year has probably not escaped your attention, but it is not the rise in the yellow metal that is most interesting to me, rather the behavioural implications. How does extreme positive performance from any asset class or ...
My inbox has been flooded with messages from public relations spokespeople representing the investment industry. The outbreak of war means dusting off the well-worn crisis checklist.
Step one: say something - anything! - as fast as possible.
Step two: wait and see what happens.
Given the Pavlovian nature of the response and the emphasis on speed over ...
The need for a reliable source of retirement income is a demographic shift 70 years in the making. Yet, it is only one of three megatrends currently disrupting the retirement sector.
An ageing population is placing pressure on Australia’s superannuation and retirement system, while driving a sharp rise in demand for better aged care. Underlying these ...
Australia’s February reporting season should not have been much of a surprise. By the time companies started to report results, evidence for a strong reporting season had been piling up for months. Economic growth through the second half of 2025 was consistently firm, financial conditions remained supportive and business indicators were improving. ...
What happens to our super when we die? Most Australians have superannuation accounts but about one in five of us die before we can retire and actually enjoy that money.
If we do die early our money is paid out as super “death benefits”. They can be substantial. Even people who die young can have $200,000–$300,000 of death benefits through super life ...
SMSF borrowing requires timing and precision that would be unexpected for someone buying an investment property. The investment property in a DIY structure is not held in the borrower’s name but by the trust that administers the super fund.
Before engaging in a limited recourse borrowing, the superannuation trust deed may need to be amended before the ...
Former Treasurer Peter Costello recently published an opinion piece titled “We’ve wasted 20 years. It’s time to rebuild our great nation.” The timeframe he references coincides with the period since he left the Treasurer role following the 2007 election.
Notably, the article proposed little in the way of strategic fiscal reform beyond a call to reduce ...
Whenever I make a speech to retirees, I always begin with one of the most basic questions people need to think about. It’s almost inevitable that at some point you – or your partner, if you’re in a couple – will need care. Is your home one where that care can be provided? That became very real for me two years ago when I broke my ankle and discovered ...
For the past few decades, being in shape was the ultimate ‘proof of work’. You couldn’t buy it. You had to earn it. Unless you had top 5% genetics, you had to build your physique through diet and exercise.
But then something incredible happened. GLP-1 agonists (like Ozempic) hit the market and, overnight, a better body was only a weekly injection away. ...
The theme of International Women’s Day was “give to gain”. If you are still thinking about giving a donation or volunteering I have a suggestion. Consider giving yourself, your daughters or your mother financial advice to gain economic security. Because you probably know these stats: women tend to score lower on financial literacy tests, end up with ...
While the debate over public spending and its effect on inflation dominates current economic talk, energy policy and the transition to renewable energy is often overlooked as a driver of inflation in Australia.
The cost of energy flows through to the cost structure of the whole economy. Elevated energy costs inflate unit labour costs and weigh on ...
After a prolonged cycle of US outperformance, 2026 marks a pivotal rebalancing. Europe is entering a ‘Goldilocks’ scenario of cooling inflation and lower rates, turbocharged by accelerating fiscal stimulus. Yet, equity valuations have not fully priced in this recovery. This lag is most acute looking across different market capitalisation ranges, ...
There have been some quite significant moves in asset prices in recent times. The dramatic increase in the price of gold over the past year has probably not escaped your attention, but it is not the rise in the yellow metal that is most interesting to me, rather the behavioural implications. How does extreme positive performance from any asset class or ...
My inbox has been flooded with messages from public relations spokespeople representing the investment industry. The outbreak of war means dusting off the well-worn crisis checklist.
Step one: say something - anything! - as fast as possible.
Step two: wait and see what happens.
Given the Pavlovian nature of the response and the emphasis on speed over ...
The need for a reliable source of retirement income is a demographic shift 70 years in the making. Yet, it is only one of three megatrends currently disrupting the retirement sector.
An ageing population is placing pressure on Australia’s superannuation and retirement system, while driving a sharp rise in demand for better aged care. Underlying these ...
Australia’s February reporting season should not have been much of a surprise. By the time companies started to report results, evidence for a strong reporting season had been piling up for months. Economic growth through the second half of 2025 was consistently firm, financial conditions remained supportive and business indicators were improving. ...
What happens to our super when we die? Most Australians have superannuation accounts but about one in five of us die before we can retire and actually enjoy that money.
If we do die early our money is paid out as super “death benefits”. They can be substantial. Even people who die young can have $200,000–$300,000 of death benefits through super life ...
SMSF borrowing requires timing and precision that would be unexpected for someone buying an investment property. The investment property in a DIY structure is not held in the borrower’s name but by the trust that administers the super fund.
Before engaging in a limited recourse borrowing, the superannuation trust deed may need to be amended before the ...
