Download IPFS he Labor government’s recent pledges to address Australia’s cost-of-living crisis—through a 20% Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt reduction, paid practical placements, and a $150 energy rebate—aim to ease financial pressures but raise questions about sustainability and fairness. This article examines these promises, their potential impact, and the[Read More…]

Download IPFS Australia’s illicit tobacco trade is flourishing, costing billions in tax revenue and fueling organized crime, yet solutions remain contentious. With the Australian Labor Party (ALP) government’s response under fire, experts and stakeholders propose tougher enforcement and economic measures to curb the black market. This article examines the growing[Read More…]

Download IPFS Retailers across Australia are closing physical stores at an alarming rate, driven by soaring costs, shifting consumer habits, and fierce online competition. In 2024, over 7,300 stores shuttered in the U.S. alone, with projections of 15,000 closures in 2025, per Coresight Research, and Australia faces similar pressures. Economic[Read More…]

Download IPFS Perth’s unit and townhouse market is poised for significant price growth in 2025, driven by strong demand and limited supply, according to the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA). With median unit prices reaching $611,755 in June 2025, up 15.1% annually, and townhouses following suit, affordability constraints[Read More…]

Download IPFS Perth residents in East Perth are accused of Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) attitudes after opposing the transformation of Fraser Suites, a former luxury hotel, into a mixed social and affordable housing complex. The $100 million state government purchase aims to address the housing crisis, but locals cite[Read More…]

Download IPFS As calls for meaningful tax reform reach a crescendo, Treasurer Jim Chalmers appears to be acknowledging the national appetite for change. In the lead-up to a high-profile economic reform roundtable, Chalmers has struck a more conciliatory tone, voicing support for simplifying Australia’s tax system. Yet, the real question[Read More…]

Download IPFS Australia’s job market is showing dangerous cracks as unemployment surges to 4.3% – the highest since 2021 – despite record migration levels that were supposed to fuel economic growth. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data reveals a troubling paradox: 33,600 more Australians are jobless while businesses[Read More…]

Download IPFS With home ownership slipping further out of reach for many Australians under 40, a growing number are turning to the stock market through micro-investing platforms. Leading economist Tom Piotrowski has noted a marked shift in wealth-building strategies among younger Australians, who are increasingly funnelling their disposable income into[Read More…]

Download IPFS Australia is cautiously evaluating the fallout of a potential 200% tariff on pharmaceutical imports proposed by the United States, a move that could disrupt the nation’s healthcare supply chains and trigger wider economic repercussions. Treasurer Jim Chalmers acknowledged in a Bloomberg Television interview that the government is “working[Read More…]

Download IPFS Australia’s booming private credit sector has come under the spotlight as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) intensifies scrutiny of major market player Metrics Credit Partners Pty. With approximately $20 billion under management, Metrics is now the subject of a focused investigation amid growing concerns around loan[Read More…]