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Andrew Leigh

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Commonwealth Bank is the country’s largest. But it has outperformed its rivals by a long way over the last year, and is now one of the world’s most expensive bank stocks.

Long-suffering consumers have been ground into submission

How have we been forced to accept business decisions that do not improve our lives but instead simply enrich corporations while prices rise?

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The Albanese government will legislate new penalties aimed at protecting consumers from online sales techniques.

Drips and traps: New laws to target dodgy online sales techniques

Almost all Australians buy goods and services online. But many are caught by hard-edge tricks, which are set to face new restrictions.

  • Shane Wright

Most people think CEOs are grossly overpaid. What can we do about it?

The average CEO of a publicly listed company earns more than 100 times the pay of the average full-time employee. This needs to change.

  • Matt Wade
Many workers have been stung by non-compete clauses in their employment contracts.

‘Less like Monopoly, more like Lego’: Labor’s plan to scrap lock-in contracts

Everyone from yoga instructors to laundromat workers are finding their work contracts contain non-compete clauses, described as agreements people would expect “Cold War spies” to sign.

  • Shane Wright
Brought to book? Treasurer Jim Chalmers at the National Press Club.

More is more: The big idea that’s inspired Jim Chalmers (huzzah!)

I had to read Abundance when I saw the treasurer and half of the cabinet had devoured it. How far they’ll take the book’s advice is not abundantly clear.

  • Parnell Palme McGuinness
Andrew Leigh, newly appointed assistant minister for productivity.

‘Too hard to build’: Albanese government slams local councils over housing shortfall

Top-heavy universities and an embattled council have been singled out as the government promises to improve Australians’ quality of life.

  • Millie Muroi
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People will be able to claim a tax deduction by rounding-up their morning coffee under changes to donation law.

Rounding up for charity at the register? Soon you’ll be able to claim it on tax

The $2 minimum for tax-deductible charity donations has been in place since 1927. Now the government plans to remove it.

  • Shane Wright
Almost have of all Australian workers have some form of restraint clause in their job contracts.

The clause in your job contract that costs you $500 a year – and Australia $7 billion

It’s not just chief executives. Almost half of Australian workers have signed contracts that restrict their ability to move jobs. New research shows the drag on the economy.

  • Shane Wright
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

State of US vote system puts ours in good light

The only upside of watching US elections and electoral processes is, as Peter Hartcher says, to develop or renew one’s own appreciation of Australia’s electoral system

Assistant Health Minister Ged Kearney.

Six MPs defy Albanese over census backflip that baffled Coalition

Assistant Health Minister Ged Kearney took a rare step in breaking with the government’s position, taking the revolt to six government MPs.

  • Paul Sakkal, Natassia Chrysanthos and Olivia Ireland