'Middle' nations crucial

Tim Colebatch China is quietly preparing the ground for major policy changes that will reduce its dependence on foreign demand, says World Bank official.

Inflation figures just don't add up

Tim Colebatch How known flaws in the way consumer price inflation is counted have added to your mortgage bill through unnecessarily high interest rates.

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Carbon tax the way forward: economists

Tim Colebatch The opinion polls disagree, but market economists in The Age survey panel almost unanimously endorse a price on carbon as the best way to tackle climate change.

Shifting gears in a two-speed economy

Tim Colebatch Australia's market economists believe we have entered a long boom in minerals prices, which will keep the dollar high and make it futile to try to shield sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture...

Push for more training to lift labour force participation

Tim Colebatch Australia's market economists are divided over whether the economy really is near full employment, as the Reserve Bank and Treasury claim - with some saying the real problem is too little investment...

Finally, a reaction to our inaction

Tim Colebatch A damning report suggests Australia's attitude towards infrastructure needs to change.

Economy to stay on single track

Tim Colebatch The consensus is steady as she goes, rather than full steam ahead, for the new financial year - which will make Treasurer Wayne Swan very happy.

Senate urged to block budget

Tim Colebatch The Senate should refuse to pass the 2011-12 budget urges former Democrat senator Andrew Murray.

Not when but if it slows down

Tim Colebatch Let's hope the Chinese growth train, tearing along at a speed of nearly 10 per cent a year, doesn't slip the rails.

Miners talk big but don't deliver

Tim Colebatch Mining companies are planning an investment boom to make all other booms look flat. But can they deliver?

Mystery of dependent spouse

Tim Colebatch One of the biggest budget savings would be made by stopping taxpayers claiming the dependent spouse tax offset if the dependent spouse is under 40.

Benefits to be denied to 70,000

Tim Colebatch and Michelle Grattan Hundreds of thousands of Australians will have their family benefits reduced, and about 70,000 families will be cut off benefits altogether, under Labor's reforms to get the federal budget back in...

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Treasurer's sensible attempt to drive change

Tim Colebatch Wayne Swan's banking reform package is a persuasive read. But what difference will it really make to borrowers' ability to get a better deal?

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Reserve rises may have missed the point

Tim Colebatch Has the Reserve Bank misread the economy and given us interest rate rises we didn't need?

Liberal right's Greens obsession deprives Baillieu of oxygen

Tim Colebatch The factions need to get off the air and let the leader make his case.

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IMF warns of global currency war risk

Tim Colebatch Tensions over China's undervalued currency threaten to dominate this weekend's annual meeting of world finance ministers in Washington.

Finance razor gangs out to cut spending

Tim Colebatch The pressure is on for Canberra to put the brakes on its outlays.

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Housing slump may help keep rates on hold

Tim Colebatch Australia's housing recovery has vanished. Dwelling approvals plunged again in August to their lowest level in a year, throwing serious doubt on the prospects of another rate rise soon.

Flaw found in joint plans to cut deficits

Tim Colebatch The International Monetary Fund finds new wave of simultaneous deficit reductions in key Western economies is likely to be far more painful than their governments assume.