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Geoff Walker

A frank look at Chris Bowen's $67,000 question

Let's set this straight for the final time! Chris Bowen often used the example of a nurse on $67,000 who was at a significant disadvantage versus a retiree receiving franking. In fact, the outcome for both is almost the same.

How super became a poor deal for SMSF pensioners

Amazingly, SMSF pensioners invested in Australian shares will be much worse off under the Labor franking policy than in the ‘bad old days’ when their pensions were taxed.

Franking: never mind the logic, let’s obfuscate

The logic on Labor's franking policy demands an answer to one question: how does a franking credit refund differ from an employee receiving a PAYG refund after putting a tax return?

The politicians we voted for, the politicians we deserve

The critical point is that the number of first preference votes cast for minor parties in Victoria was greater than one quota. We got what we voted for, and the system allowed minor party voters to deny a major party seat.

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Investment strategies

The thin line between investing and gambling

Prediction markets are blurring the line between investing and speculation and savvy investors can profit from this trend by heeding the advice of famed investor, Benjamin Graham.

Strategy

The refinery problem: A different kind of energy crisis in 2026

The Strait of Hormuz closure due to US-Iran conflict severely disrupted global energy supply chains. While various emergency measures mitigated the crude impact, the refined product market faces unprecedented stress.

Gold

Are we running out of gold?

Geopolitical instability and challenges with new gold discoveries mean we may be approaching a structural shortage of mineable gold, but what does this mean for gold's overall long-term availability?

Investment strategies

ETF investors adding to portfolios during recent volatility

In the face of recent market volatility investors continue to add to their ETF portfolios with these ETFs getting notable inflows, indicating that long-term fundamentals remain solid.

Strategy

Policy setting in democracies

Democracies aren’t a given, and policymakers need to be mindful not to alienate communities and instead be more aligned with mainstream ideas and attitudes. 

Investment strategies

Take my money and lie to me… again

As private funds increasingly show signs of cracking and buckling under a complete lack of liquidity, the salespeople do their best to keep the cash pouring in from new investors. 

Economy

Australia was once a world leader in innovation, now the system is ‘broken’

Ambitious Australia joins a long line of reports examining research and development, finding Australia has fallen behind its peers on many fronts. It urges bold reform to address declining productivity and research spending.

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