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Home / Author: John Abernethy

John Abernethy

A big win for bank customers against scammers

A recent ruling from The Australian Financial Complaints Authority may herald a new era for financial scams. For the first time, a bank is being forced to reimburse a customer for the amount they were scammed.

What's left unsaid in Australia's housing bubble

The current difficulties confronting housing policy partially stem from an explosion of mortgage debt. We've engineered a price for housing that will cause a severe problem for future generations – if it isn't addressed.

Clime time: Do budget deficits create inflation?

There's nothing wrong with budget deficits if they are appropriately set for a desired economic outcome. But it does require a breakaway from dogmatic economic thought that seems rife among economists and politicians.

Clime time: Taxing unrealised capital gains – is there a better idea?

The efficacy and fairness of establishing an unrealised gains tax regime will hopefully be hotly debated at the next election. We need better ideas on how to use the strategic and unique benefits of our massive super funds.

Clime time: 10 charts on the outlook for major asset classes

The charts reveal that interest rates can't rise much further as Australian mortgage holders are under stress, bank dividends look solid, and the bond market is in flux because yields are being manipulated.

Clime time: Tailwinds for asset prices in 2024 and beyond

Inflation is yesterday's issue and markets have started to reflect that. ASX prospects look positive with consumption growth, tax cuts, infrastructure investment, and a Chinese recovery to flow through to corporate earnings.

Latest Updates

Superannuation

Do super funds need a massive wake up call?

UK retirement expert, Guy Opperman, believes super funds are failing at supporting members in deaccumulation. Here is what Australia should do about it. 

Retirement

Sequencing risk resurfaces for retirees

A retirement strategy must consider how both the timing of cash flows and the sequence of returns impact the final dollar outcome from which a retirement is funded.

SMSF strategies

Meg on SMSFs: Payday super – why should SMSF members even care?

Not filing your SMSF annual return on time can mean missed contributions under the new Payday super regulation. 

Strategy

There will be no permanent underclass

Worries about AI causing mass job loss are misguided. Far from creating a permanent underclass, Like other technological innovations AI will improve living standards around the world.

Taxation

Reforming the taxation of wealth and wealth transfers

As the budget approaches debate continues about the need and method for addressing wealth inequality. Could reinstating wealth transfer taxes be the answer?

Investment strategies

The biggest oil shock in history. Why isn't the price higher?

While increases in oil prices are dominating media coverage of the turmoil in the Middle-East it is worth exploring why prices haven't gone up more. 

Financial planning

Structured giving's new moment

A big year for philanthropy has seen multiple tax changes impact the approach donors are taking. For those with the intention to give generously there is a third structure available in the structured giving landscape.

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