Oliver’s insights – Nine key charts for investors to keep an eye on
18 February
Key points This year has started off rather messy with geopolitical threats and worries around AI disruption and valuations. We are mildly upbeat on shares for the year but see a 15% or so correction as likely along the way. Nine key charts worth...[Read More]
Investment markets and key developments – Weekly market update – 13-02-2026
18 February
US shares fell over the last week on the back of ongoing concerns about AI disruption, excessive related capital spending and tech sector valuations. For the week the US share market fell 1.4%. Eurozone shares also fell but only by 0.3%. But...[Read More]
One tax still off the table as treasurer weighs reform
18 February
Treasurer Jim Chalmers won’t change the GST despite urging from an influential global economic body to lift the consumption tax. In its latest report, the International Monetary Fund praised the federal government’s handling of Australia’s...[Read More]
RBA urges more high-rise amid home-building constraints
18 February
Governments are making the right moves on housing affordability but builders are still finding it “very challenging” to bring on new supply, RBA governor Michele Bullock says. Speaking at a second parliamentary hearing in less than one week, Ms...[Read More]
Thousands of new brickies, sparkies to bolster housing
18 February
Thousands of new apprentices could help bring down the cost of construction, but land has been identified as the biggest hurdle to getting more homes built. Fresh data reveals 11,407 carpentry, plumbing and bricklayers signed up to the federal...[Read More]
Regions beckon as young Aussies rethink city life
18 February
Gen Z is leading a new wave of city dwellers eyeing a move to the regions, with almost half considering swapping skyscrapers for the great outdoors. Australians aged 18 to 29 have overtaken millennials (aged 30 to 45) as the cohort most eager to...[Read More]
Electric car sales may stall if tax policy changes gear
18 February
At launch, the Electric Car Discount was expected to help about 5000 Australians get behind the wheel of a quiet, low-emissions, battery-powered vehicle. The policy, introduced in 2022, removed the fringe benefits tax from some electric cars,...[Read More]
‘Right the ship’: polluters tax could be vote spinner
18 February
Forcing Australia’s biggest polluters to pay tax for their emissions may no longer be electoral kryptonite, polling indicates. The survey of 3000 Australian adults by Redbridge Group showed most regional and urban voters supported introducing a...[Read More]
Instagram chief rejects idea of social media addiction
18 February
The head of Meta’s Instagram has testified during a landmark social media trial in Los Angeles that he disagrees with the idea that people can be clinically addicted to social media platforms. The question of addiction is a key pillar of the case,...[Read More]
Aussies ditch copper for fibre to boost download speeds
18 February
More than one million households and businesses have swapped old copper for new fibre connections since NBN Co announced plans to ditch the technology, with many of the upgrades in regional areas. The change, along with the release of updated plans,...[Read More]
Hidden psychology of a ‘good kiss’ revealed
18 February
A good kiss has more to do with the “thoughts, fantasies and emotional context we bring to it” than the physical act itself, scientists have discovered. Researchers at Abertay University set out to test the assumption that kissing sparks sexual...[Read More]
Why an annual financial review is one of the most valuable meetings you’ll have each year
12 February
Life rarely stands still—and neither should your financial plan. An annual financial review with your financial planner is not just a box-ticking exercise; it’s a powerful opportunity to reset, refine, and realign your money with the life...[Read More]
The value of super: What you don’t feel at first, but thank yourself for later
12 February
Superannuation is one of those things most Australians start without really feeling its value. It begins quietly—small contributions taken from each pay, numbers on a statement you might glance at once a year, if at all. In the early years,...[Read More]
Tax made simple: The top questions people ask their accountant
12 February
Tax is one of those topics everyone knows is important—but few feel confident navigating alone. Rules change, life circumstances shift, and what worked last year may not work this year. That’s why accountants are one of the most frequently...[Read More]
Aged care isn’t just about care: What families need to know before it’s urgent
12 February
Aged care is a broad term used to describe the support and services provided to older Australians who need help with everyday living as they age. This can range from basic assistance at home—such as cleaning, meals, and transport—through to...[Read More]