Khader Hasan 
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has flagged that one of its “key focus areas” for this financial year will be to improve the tax compliance of the small business sector. As part of that focus, the ATO said it would take a digital-first approach and encourage small businesses to do likewise. This would allow … Read more
Following its meeting today, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) chose to hold the cash rate at 4.1%. This is the third month in a row the Bank chose to hold the cash rate following positive signs in inflationary data. With the cash rate currently four percentage points higher than it was at the beginning … Read more
The shift to remote working has reduced demand for office space and affected how businesses interact with their workspaces, according to Ray White Commercial Head of Research Vanessa Rader. “Some businesses look to downsize their spaces and perhaps sub-lease, while others have reconfigured the working environment to provide flexibility and collaboration, or relocated to new … Read more
Industrial has been the standout asset class of 2023, amidst challenging times for the commercial property sector, according to one of Australia’s leading commercial property experts. Ray White Commercial Head of Research Vanessa Rader said commercial property had experienced a tough 2023, due to fast-rising interest rates and the challenge of obtaining finance. That’s led … Read more
Australia’s vacancy rate fell to 0.9% in July, compared to 1.0% the month before and 0.9% the year before, according to Domain. In national terms, supply and demand strongly favours property investors, although conditions differ from market to market Sydney’s vacancy rate was 1.2% in July, the same as the year before. “Annually, vacant rental listings … Read more
One of Australia’s leading economists has forecast a positive spring selling season – in part due to a sharp decline in household savings. “With savings rates now plummeting, what does this mean for property?” Ray White Chief Economist Nerida Conisbee said. “With retail trade falling for the third straight quarter, savings rates plummeting and inflation … Read more
Last month was the biggest July in the history of new vehicle sales, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI). Australians took delivery of 96,859 new vehicles, which beat the previous July record (92,754), set in 2017, by 4.4%. FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber attributed the record result to an ongoing increase in … Read more
Australia’s competition watchdog has refused to authorise ANZ’s acquisition of Suncorp Bank. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) said it had rejected the $4.9 billion deal, which was announced in July 2022, because it might reduce competition in the banking sector. “We are not satisfied that the acquisition is not likely to substantially lessen … Read more
Today, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) chose to hold the cash rate at 4.1%. This is the second month in a row the Bank chose to hold the cash rate following positive signs in inflationary data. With the uncertainty around the future of interest rates – whether they will keep increasing or have reached … Read more
Australia’s consumer watchdog has put businesses on notice about false environmental and sustainability claims, after finding a large number were engaging in ‘greenwashing’. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (the ACCC) has published draft guidance to help businesses stay on the right side of the Australian Consumer Law. This comes in response to ACCC research … Read more
