How trust in the RBA could help keep interest rates low

23 July

As people lose faith in institutions across the globe, a report shows maintaining trust in the Reserve Bank can help keep inflation under control. A survey released by the central bank on Wednesday showed people who have higher trust in the RBA are...[Read More]

Oliver’s insights – Nine key charts for investors to keep an eye on amidst oil and AI worries

23 July

Key points: The first half of this year saw good share market returns despite the oil supply shock on the back of the US/Iran War. We remain upbeat on a 12-month view but see a high risk of another correction in the short term. Nine key charts...[Read More]

Top 5 tips to help you take control of your finances

23 July

Saving money isn’t just about cutting out coffee or chasing every bargain. It’s about creating a plan that works for your lifestyle and future goals.    Whether you’re starting from scratch or building a nest egg for something big — a...[Read More]

Quarter 3 tax tips for small business

23 July

The third quarter of the calendar year—July to September—is an important period for Australian small businesses.  The rush of 30 June may be over, but the new financial year brings fresh reporting obligations, payroll changes and an opportunity...[Read More]

Top 7 signs you are ready to retire

16 July

Retirement is one of life’s biggest financial and personal transitions. While many people focus on reaching a particular age, being ready to retire involves much more than simply qualifying to access superannuation or receiving the Age Pension. A...[Read More]

Oliver’s insights – Why have Australian living standards “fallen” and how do we fix it?

16 July

Key points Falling real wages and a surge in tax and interest payments over the last five years have led to a slump in Australians’ living standards. But a broader driver of the malaise in living standards has been a slump in productivity...[Read More]

Trump threatens to shoot down signs of economic rebound

16 July

Just as businesses and consumers were beginning to grow more confident, a return to arms in the Middle East risks sending sentiment back to the doldrums. Business confidence climbed nine points in June, despite warnings the federal budget would...[Read More]

Tax push renders budget surplus forecasts ‘unrealistic’

16 July

More tax cuts for workers would keep the budget in deficit beyond the next decade, the agency that assesses the nation’s finances warns. The outlook for the federal budget has improved over the past year, despite economic headwinds from the Middle...[Read More]

The new financial year has begun: What are your numbers really telling you?

9 July

Once tax time has passed, many small business owners breathe a sigh of relief and move on. But the start of a new financial year is actually one of the best times to pause, review your numbers, and ask: what did last year really show us?   Your...[Read More]

Oliver’s insights – 2025-26 saw lots of noise but strong returns (again) – can it continue?

9 July

Key points While we saw a long list of worries over the last year, 2025-26 saw another financial year of strong returns. Risks around Iran and oil, various other geopolitical issues, sticky inflation and possible further rate hikes and AI related...[Read More]

Oliver’s insights – Was life really better in the good old days?

9 July

Key points Angst about economic conditions has been running high in recent times. This is evident in chronically low consumer confidence readings and a downtrend in measures of happiness. It’s also arguably evident in the rise of populist...[Read More]

Inflation-fuelling supply shocks under RBA microscope

9 July

Expect to hear more from the Reserve Bank as it grapples with how to navigate a world punctuated by more frequent supply shocks due to heightened geopolitical tensions and climate change. With shocks like the Middle East oil crisis and Donald...[Read More]

Family affair: investor tax changes spawn new tactics

9 July

A 1950s red brick walk-up in southwest Brisbane is a window into how the federal budget is reshaping the property market. Marketed as “the ultimate set-up for multi-generational living”, the three-unit apartment block in Oxley has bucked the...[Read More]

Longest stretch of weak growth since 1990s forecast

9 July

Australia’s economy is set to grow below two per cent for the longest period since the early 1990s, exposing a malaise long masked by population growth, a report has warned. Rarely has the economics advisory group adopted such a downbeat...[Read More]

Tax time tips for small business success

9 July

Assistant Commissioner, Angela Allen, shares practical tips to help your small business stay on track this tax time.   Tax time can come around quickly when you’re busy running a growing business, but a little preparation now can make a big...[Read More]