Latest Episodes
Business Briefing: Abenomics fails to address Japan's true woes
New moves by the Bank of Japan (BoJ) to modestly extend its monetary policy appears to suggest the country is running out of measures to combat its sluggish economy. Earlier in 2016, the bank introduced negative interest rates and will continue its bond buying program. But Shino Takayama, research fellow in economics at the University of Queensland says the effect of monetary policies don't last long…
1 Host: Shino Takayama
Business Briefing: what to do about low incomes
Australia is facing an income recession warns economist Janine Dixon from Victoria University. To fend it off we need to increase different types of productivity. Income per capita, one way to measure living standards, is 3% below the peak of 2012 and this is tied to slow growth in Australia's economy. This not necessarily a big problem for richer nations like Australia but low income earners will…
1 Host: Janine Dixon
Business Briefing: The hurdles, pitfalls and payoffs of investing in Indonesia
As Indonesia's middle class grows, so too does demand for services and products, such as education, health and processed food. Australia is well placed to supply these, however businesses must first tackle layers of regulation and bureaucracy. There are signs Australia and Indonesia may be moving towards a free trade agreement but this won't address the problems not related to tariffs like specifications…
1 Host: Matthew Busch
Business Briefing: Trouble in the South China Sea
China is on the defensive after an international court ruled it had no claim to historic rights to resources within its so called "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea. This decision is the latest in a long running dispute between the nations that border the South China Sea over ownership of the islands in the sea and maritime jurisdictions. Professor Clive Schofield, from the University of Wollongong…
1 Host: Clive Schofield
Business Briefing: are Hanson, NXT and the Nationals bad for business?
Protectionism and nationalism may be the order of the day, judging by the recent federal election results. Picking up seats are Pauline Hanson from One Nation and Nick Xenophon and his team (NXT), but it's also a strong result for the Nationals. If the Coalition forms government, the Nationals might ask for the trade portfolio and lend their support to national procurement (a focus on locally produced…
1 Host: Geoff Cockfield
Business Briefing: Zombie measures, crackdowns and Brexit worries
The last week of the long election campaign started with the leaders of both major parties reinforcing their ideas for Australia's economy, in the face of the volatility created by the UK's exit from the European Union. The international instability may be playing to the Coalition's strengths, while also calling into question Labor's plan to increase the budget deficit, explains Saul Eslake, economist…
1 Host: Saul Eslake
Business Briefing: ASIC tries to prevent fintech startups from becoming scammers
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is working with its regulatory counterpart, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), to attract financial technology (fintech) startups by offering them a deal. ASIC and MAS will offer fintech startups from both countries a chance to be a part of a "sandbox." This is a safe space where the regulators waive some of the usual harsh penalties…
1 Host: Philippa Ryan
Business Briefing: what breeds terrorism?
The nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, which has killed 49 people and injured 53 others, has shocked the world. Details are still emerging about the shooter and his possible motivations but it has been described as both an act of hate, and terrorism. Michael Jetter is a political economist who is studying both the way the media reports - and feeds into - the actions and aims of terrorists, as…
1 Host: Michael Jetter
Business Briefing: how does Australia's policy costing body, the PBO, compare?
Australia's Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) has only been in operation since 2012, but been used to cost the policies of the federal government, the Opposition and minor parties alike in this election campaign. While the results are often fuel for the political fire, the PBO attempts to remain resolutely above the fray. But should it be aiming to be more politically active? Its Canadian equivalent…
1 Host: Usman W. Chohan
Business Briefing: what happens to your credit history
One of Australia's major credit reporting agencies, Veda Advantage, is under investigation amid allegations it misused personal financial information and in some cases provided incorrect information. This isn't the first time a reporting agency has been scrutinised for doing the wrong thing, as Justin Malbon, Professor of Law at Monash University, explains. At the moment it's up to consumers to check…
1 Host: Justin Malbon
Business Briefing: manipulating the BBSW
As more titbits of detail come to light in the rate rigging case made against Westpac and ANZ, Pat McConnell, Honorary Fellow at the Macquarie University Applied Finance Centre, unpacks the allegations. McConnell explains what how the bank bill swap rate, or BBSW, is left open for manipulation by traders, comments on the response from the banks and calls for more regulations like those in place overseas…
1 Host: Pat McConnell
Business Briefing: jobs and growth in an election
Both the government and opposition are campaigning hard on their abilities as economic managers and jobs and growth have been the Coalition's election cry. But is creating jobs really all that simple and what kind are needed in the Australian economy? Principal Research Fellow and Deputy Director at the Melbourne Institute, Roger Wilkins explains what a healthy level of unemployment is in our economy…
1 Host: Roger Wilkins