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Gavan Ord, Business Investment Lead, CPA Australia

Accountants warn against government red tape obsession

Australia’s peak accounting body has urged governments to stop treating increased regulations as the default response to every issue. CPA Australia, in a statement

The hidden consumer traps in ‘free’ shipping

By Adrian Camilleri You’re scrolling through an online retailer, like Amazon, Shein or eBay, and spot a shirt on sale for $40. You add it to your cart, but at

Pesky inflation locks in at unsustainable level

Australia’s inflation rate was steady at 3.8 percent in the year to January 2026, dashing hopes that it would trend down into the new year. The result keeps upward

Boost in doctors training for country practice

More doctors are likely to become available in regional Queensland through strong interest in a rural pathway training program. The Royal Australian College of GPs said

Mixed economic growth results across the OECD

Economic growth is patchy across industrialised countries with less than half recording a lift in the final quarter of 2025. Figures released by the OECD show that seven

Sleepy shopping leads to regrets in the morning

Australians are indulging in impulsive “sleep shopping” and often making purchases that they regret in the morning. Research released by PayPal this week showed that

$100,000 no longer considered a comfortable wage

By Christopher Hoy Figures this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that over the year to December, wages grew by 3.4 percent. For households,

Wage rises fall just short of matching inflation

Wages increased by 3.4 percent on average in 2025, falling just short of the 3.8 percent inflation rate for the year. Figures released by the Australian Bureau of

Rents rise three times faster than wages

Rents have risen nearly three times faster than wages over the past five years, pushing rental affordability to record lows and stretching household budgets across the

Consumer confidence hits decade low

Consumer confidence has hit a decade low, with households pessimistic about their financial conditions over the next 12 months, and their economic conditions over the

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