6 October 2025

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Simple maths says the AI investment boom ends badly Why we should follow Canada and cut migration Are LICs licked?Australian house price speculators: What were you thinking?Retirement income expectations hit new highs

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Edition: 193

1-8 out of 8 results.

Edition 193

10 March 2017

Treasurer Scott Morrison's desire to improve housing affordability for first home buyers will probably translate into policy changes in the next Federal Budget, due in a couple of months. He responded with enthusiasm to the Victorian Government 'shared ownership' scheme.

Bring back indexation to replace big CGT discount

Chris Cuffe
9 March 2017
22

The 50% CGT discount has little justification during low inflation and it encourages capital gains over income. The preferable system is the indexation in effect prior to 1999, and it will help housing affordability.

History repeats on housing, but how long will this last?

Ashley Owen
9 March 2017
8

History indicates that Australian house prices are more likely to flatline than collapse. The main problem is likely to be in high-rise construction, with banks exposed to highly-leveraged buyers and developers.

The evolution of our cities

Stephen Hayes
9 March 2017
1

Urban growth poses many challenges. The way we live and interact as a society, especially in growing cities, will continue to evolve including the way we shop, how we move around and how land is redeveloped.

Applying CGT relief for SMSFs and TTR pensions

Mark Ellem
9 March 2017
1

Despite the confusing and technical nature of the CGT relief rules, it's important for SMSF trustees and advisers to consider their implications as decisions need to be made prior to 1 July 2017.

Governments fund more research than we realise

David Bell
9 March 2017
2

It's laudable for government to fund important research but for it to really make a difference, industry participants and researchers need to engage and collaborate with the other. Research on ageing is a case in point.

The gift of education and the cost of funding it

Neil Rogan
9 March 2017
1

Putting money aside to pay for a child's education requires a serious savings effort, and lack of access to superannuation rules it out as a tax-effective and flexible option. There is an alternative.

Why LICs differ in dividend sustainability

Peter Rae
9 March 2017
6

With the majority of Listed Investment Companies reporting lower earnings in the six months to 31 Dec 2016, it's the LICs with adequate profit reserves that can offer dividend sustainability for investors.

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Most viewed in recent weeks

Simple maths says the AI investment boom ends badly

This AI cycle feels less like a revolution and more like a rerun. Just like fibre in 2000, shale in 2014, and cannabis in 2019, the technology or product is real but the capital cycle will be brutal. Investors beware.

Harris Kupperman
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Why we should follow Canada and cut migration

An explosion in low-skilled migration to Australia has depressed wages, killed productivity, and cut rental vacancy rates to near decades-lows. It’s time both sides of politics addressed the issue.

James Gruber
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Australian house price speculators: What were you thinking?

Australian housing’s 50-year boom was driven by falling rates and rising borrowing power — not rent or yield. With those drivers exhausted, future returns must reconcile with economic fundamentals. Are we ready?

Larry Bricks*
27 August 2025

Retirement income expectations hit new highs

Younger Australians think they’ll need $100k a year in retirement - nearly double what current retirees spend. Expectations are rising fast, but are they realistic or just another case of lifestyle inflation?

Vanguard Investments Australia
24 September 2025

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 627 with weekend update

This week, I got the news that my mother has dementia. It came shortly after my father received the same diagnosis. This is a meditation on getting old and my regrets in not getting my parents’ affairs in order sooner.

4 September 2025

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