Australians spend less, more often in online shop surge
20 March
Baby boomers have taken to online shopping in droves while younger shoppers are cutting back amid cost-of-living pressures. An increasing number of parcels are also heading to regional and rural areas, fuelled by population growth since the COVID-19...[Read More]
China talks could put Aussie wine and beef on the menu
20 March
Australian producers are hopeful a visit from the Chinese foreign minister could see an end to punitive trade barriers. Despite China easing trade sanctions against Australia, several tariffs and impediments remain, primarily targeting wine, lobster...[Read More]
Workers underprepared as AI reaches turning point
20 March
Only one in 20 Australian businesses are ready to deploy and leverage AI despite research suggesting almost all jobs will be affected, a report says. The crucial lack of understanding about generative artificial intelligence comes as workers already...[Read More]
Calls for four-year forecast in GST carve-up
20 March
Four-year forecasts for state and territory shares of GST are being sought as the pushback against the annual carve-up of the tax continues. A longer forecast window from the Commonwealth Grants Commission would help secure budget bottom lines and...[Read More]
Energy bills to fall as regulator reveals draft offer
20 March
WHAT IS A DEFAULT OFFER? * The default market offer is a price cap on how much retailers can charge customers on their default energy plans * It is a reference price for market competitors, according to the energy regulator, and is what retailers...[Read More]
Google under scrutiny in digital platform probe
20 March
Australians’ access to internet search engines, search quality and the increasing use of generative AI will face further scrutiny from the consumer watchdog. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is probing the provision of general...[Read More]
Online shopping is forcing down prices by $1100 a year
20 March
People are saving more than $1100 a year due to the increasing popularity of online shopping, with the biggest savings coming from growing competition in the market, a study has found. But research from consulting firm the Mandala Partners also...[Read More]
Increased R&D spending to boost economy by $100 billion
20 March
Australia’s economy would receive a $100 billion boost if investment in research and development was increased to three per cent of GDP, the nation’s peak science body says. For more than a decade, Australian funding for research and development...[Read More]
Extra paid parental leave welcomed but unions want more
20 March
A jump in paid parental leave to 26 weeks will help address the gender pay gap and stop working parents from losing out when they have children, the peak union body has said as legislation cemented the move on Monday. The 20 weeks of paid leave...[Read More]
Calls to heat up competition in nation’s postal sector
20 March
Australian entrepreneur James Chin Moody loves to make curry, but he won’t settle for any old supermarket spice. “We get our curry powder sent from Humpty Doo, it’s fantastic” Mr Chin Moody tells AAP of the Northern Territory culinary...[Read More]
Investment markets and key developments – Weekly market update 8/3/24
13 March
US and Eurozone shares rose to new record highs over the last week, as the ECB and Fed provided dovish comments, flagging rate cuts ahead, before giving back some of their gains on Friday as a bit of profit taking kicked in. The dip on Friday saw...[Read More]
Work from home like a pro: tips for setting up your home office
14 March
The advent of digital technology has transformed the business landscape, ushering in a new era where working from home is no longer a rarity but a common occurrence. This shift has necessitated the need for entrepreneurs to create conducive...[Read More]
Oliver’s insights Bitcoin to infinity and beyond…again!
13 March
Key points – Bitcoin has made it to new record highs, helped recently by the advent of ETFs that invest directly into it. – While blockchain technology has promise, the use case for Bitcoin is hard to determine making it impossible to...[Read More]
Are the Lipstick and Beer Indexes Reliable Measures of Consumer Behaviour?
14 March
Traditional indicators such as GDP, unemployment rates, and inflation indicators are used to measure the health and performance of an economy. These are commonly used by economists and policymakers in gauging a country’s economic growth and...[Read More]
Marvels of mastery: Exploring the Eight Wonders of the Ancient and Modern World
14 March
The concept of the “Wonders of the World” has evolved over time, with various lists compiled to encompass the world’s most spectacular natural sights and human-built structures. The traditional list of the Ancient Wonders of the World...[Read More]