Jim Chalmers
Why People are Briefing Against Jim Chalmers?
Australia's Treasurer is facing criticism from inside Labor as well as the Opposition. The reasons go beyond inflation and interest rates.
Benchmark Analytics
Independent economic and financial services analysis
Original analysis of new Australian economic and financial-services data.
Latest analysis
Bank Competition
Consumer Data Right: Australia's Open Banking Revolution Enters Its Next Phase
Australia's Consumer Data Right enters a critical new phase as non-bank lenders begin sharing customer financial data. We explain its history, why it matters for banking competition and what changes in 2027.
Public Sector Jobs
Australia's Public Sector Wage Blowout: $266.1 Billion and Climbing
Australia's public sector wage bill has climbed to $266.1 billion, an increase of $51.7 billion in three years. Are taxpayers receiving better services for the additional spending?
Victorian State Election
Upcoming Victorian State Election - Brief State of Play
Victoria votes on 28 November 2026 after 12 years of Labor government. A guide to the major parties, leading figures, election issues, polling and possible parliamentary arrangements.
Australian Economy
Iron Ore Prices Fall, But Australia's Trade Surplus Improves
Australia's trade surplus has improved sharply, but iron ore prices are falling. September's figures reveal the important distinction between export volumes, prices and economic prosperity.
Benchmark Indicators
Australian economy at a glance
Political Data Alerts
Know what the new data means.
Priority monitoring and rapid analysis of the releases that matter to government relations, corporate affairs and policy teams.
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Sylvester Stallone
Life Advice from Sylvester Stallone
Five life lessons from Sylvester Stallone's autobiography, The Steps, on resilience, ambition, persistence and the hidden costs of success.
Israel
Israel's Arab parties win a record 19 seats: What does this tell us about its democracy?
Arab-led parties won a record 19 Knesset seats in Israel's 2026 election. We explain their histories, differences with Likud and what their electoral success reveals about Israeli political institutions.
China
China's economy is slowing. Why Australia's iron ore exporters should be concerned
China's manufacturing and construction activity contracted in October, with construction new orders falling to 40.0. We explain the PMI figures and the implications for Australian iron ore exports.
Us MIdterm Elections
US politics fundamentally changed
The 2026 US midterm elections have delivered historic Democratic victories in Texas. With major implications for the Electoral College, immigration and government spending, the results raise a fundamental question about the future direction of American politics.
House Prices
Why building a house keeps getting more expensive, even as demand weakens
House-building costs continue to rise despite softer demand. New ABS figures show how skilled labour shortages and competition from infrastructure and data centres affect housing supply.
Hedging
Australia's $2.25 trillion foreign-currency exposure: A growing risk for superannuation?
Australia's net foreign-currency asset exposure has increased $579 billion since 2022. Growing international investments bring opportunities, but also currency and liquidity risks.
Business Lending
Why is Australian business borrowing growing at 11% despite higher interest rates?
Australia's business borrowing is accelerating despite the Reserve Bank's efforts to slow the economy.
New RBA figures show business credit increased 11.3% over the year to September 2026, compared with 9.4% a year earlier. That is considerably faster than housing credit growth of 7.
Australian Banks
10 Insights from the Westpac Results
Westpac's $6.8 billion profit tells only part of the story. Its 2026 results reveal ten important developments in business credit, household finances, competition, regulation and the future of banking.