How to plan for retirement in the modern world
12 December
To prepare for retirement, there’s forced savings in the form of social security, such as superannuation. Other options to arrange for a secure financial future are savings in the bank, investments and insurance. These days, preparing for...[Read More]
Oliver’s insights – Goldilocks stayed for 2024, but what’s in store for investors in 2025?
12 December
Key points – The key themes for 2024 were: better than feared growth; global divergence; more disinflation; falling interest rates but with Australia lagging; and more geopolitical threats but not as bad as feared. As in 2023, returns were...[Read More]
Young families bear the brunt of cost-of-living crisis
12 December
Expenses for families with a child aged younger than five are 27 per cent higher than in 2021, according to research that shows they are suffering most from the cost-of-living crisis. While headline inflation has fallen to 2.8 per cent, daily...[Read More]
Tax on large withdrawals floated to future-proof super
12 December
Retirees might be more inclined to use super for its intended purpose – income for retirement – under a proposal to tax oversized withdrawals. Four actuaries have waded into the ever-contentious tax debate with a discussion paper thrashing out...[Read More]
Red tape cut for business but taxes stuck fast
12 December
Businesses can look forward to less red tape as a state government prepares to axe half its regulators, but they shouldn’t hold their breath for tax changes. The plan, which could save businesses $500 million over five years, was launched as part...[Read More]
Wanted: one million Aussies, Kiwis to learn AI skills
12 December
One million Australians and New Zealanders will be offered AI training over the next two years in a campaign to encourage the workforce to use the technology, and, in some cases, help workers keep their jobs. Microsoft announced its national...[Read More]
Voters urged to be vigilant about AI disinformation
12 December
Voters are being warned to be vigilant about the growth of artificial intelligence-enabled political content on social media before the next federal election. The Australian Electoral Commission has warned AI-generated disinformation content, such...[Read More]
Carer, student, youth support payments set to grow
12 December
More than one million Australians will soon receive a hip-pocket bump as their support payments increase. From January 1, payments for young people, students, carers and others will be indexed to keep up with inflation. Jobseekers, students,...[Read More]
The land of nod: exhausted Aussies sleeping on the job
12 December
Australians are so exhausted they’ve become less productive at work, chucking sickies or having a surreptitious nap on the job, according to new sleep data. Fifteen per cent of workers have admitted to taking a sneaky nap at work, while 30 per...[Read More]
Grocery giants ‘throw shoppers a bone’ for Christmas
11 December
Home cooks looking for a Christmas lamb should head to the major supermarkets to get the best bang for their buck, but Aldi remains the best value choice for the rest of their grocery list. An average basket of 14 common household items cost $50.63...[Read More]
Thousands of families in line for cheaper childcare
11 December
Families will be guaranteed three subsidised days of childcare while $1 billion will go towards expanding quality and access as Labor sharpens its election pitch. If Labor is re-elected, families earning less than $530,000 will qualify for the...[Read More]
Free public wi-fi ‘gamechanger’ for remote communities
11 December
Remote communities across the country will have free public wi-fi available under a federal government plan aimed at ensuring digital inclusion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Twenty-three communities in the Northern Territory,...[Read More]
Webb telescope: Universe expanding at unexpected rate
11 December
Fresh corroboration of the perplexing observation that the universe is expanding more rapidly than expected has scientists pondering the cause – perhaps some unknown factor involving the mysterious cosmic components dark energy and dark...[Read More]
The importance of seeking advice from your insurance adviser
5 December
Business insurance is more than a protective buffer—it is a critical long-term strategic decision that directly influences the sustainability and success of a business. The potential loss of productive assets such as premises, machinery, stock,...[Read More]
Bridging the gap between old-school values and modern digital thinking
5 December
The rapid evolution of the digital world has created a cultural and generational rift, where traditional values rooted in face-to-face interactions and personal connections often clash with today’s fast-paced, technology-driven norms. This...[Read More]