Shane Wright
Verified- Senior Economics Correspondent, Sydney Morning Herald
- Senior Economics Correspondent, The Age
Canberra
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National economics correspondent for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, and according to The Drum, "Australia's biggest Kate Bush fan"
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Articles by Shane Wright
Feeling miserable? You’re far from alone – and our index proves it
Shane WrightSenior economics correspondent August 13, 2026 — 5:00am August 13, 2026 — 5:00am You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. How miserable are you feeling? The misery index was created by economist Arthur Okun who, in the late 1960s, put his mind to the types of situations that make people – and their countries – feel pretty rotten. Okun’s index was simple.
Australian petrol prices to fall within the month – if US-Iran ceasefire holds
Nick Toscano, Mike Foley, Shane Wright Australian motorists could start seeing relief at the petrol pump within the month as a global oil price collapse raises hopes that fuel costs have finally peaked, so long as the Middle East ceasefire successfully restores the flow of energy exports from the region. News that Iran and the United States had agreed to a last-minute ceasefire agreement , avoiding a worst-case military escalation, sent oil prices falling sharply on Wednesday.
Microsoft Cares About Your Privacy Australian petrol prices to fall within the month – if US-Iran ceasefire holds
Nick Toscano, Mike Foley, Shane Wright Australian motorists could start seeing relief at the petrol pump within the month as a global oil price collapse raises hopes that fuel costs have finally peaked, so long as the Middle East ceasefire successfully restores the flow of energy exports from the region. News that Iran and the United States had agreed to a last-minute ceasefire agreement , avoiding a worst-case military escalation, sent oil prices falling sharply on Wednesday.
Futures and Commodity Market News
Apr 08, 2026 (The Age - ABIX via COMTEX) -- The International Monetary Fund has released a report which concludes that a major war reduces cumulative GDP by about seven per cent over five years. In contrast, the IMF estimates that a natural disaster reduces GDP growth by less than six per cent over the same time-frame, while a sovereign debt crisis cuts GDP by just 4.25 per cent.
‘Beginning of the end?' Oil price falls raise hope of relief at the pump
Nick Toscano, Shane Wright Sharp falls in global oil markets on Wednesday have sparked hopes the two-week ceasefire in Iran may mark the “beginning of the end” for Australia's record-breaking petrol and diesel prices, so long as the conflict does not resume and ships are allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices plummet after US, Iran announce Hormuz reopening during two week ceasefire
Shane Wright Investors are cheering US President Donald Trump's ceasefire announcement and Iran's declaration that it will allow ships to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, which could eventually translate into lower petrol prices for motorists. In the 20 minutes after the President's Truth Social posting on Wednesday morning AEST, the price of West Texas crude – which was around $US108 ($153) a barrel, fell by more than 15 per cent. It is now around $US96 ($136) a barrel.
'For every $100 of gas exported, Australia gets 43 cents': Unions open new tax battle
Oct 16, 2025 (Brisbane Times - ABIX via COMTEX) -- The federal government's petroleum resource rent tax is forecast to generate revenue of nearly $2bn this year. ACTU president Michele O'Neil contends that the PRRT has become a scam that is allowing large companies to make a "killing" out of LNG with very little benefit to taxpayers. The ACTU wants the PRRT to be abolished and replaced with a flat tax rate of 25 per cent on all LNG exports.
Brisbane news live: RBA keeps interest rates on hold | Lion mauling ‘still very, very raw’, owner says | Former top Queensland public servant lands federal government job
Latest posts Pinned post from By Shane Wright The Reserve Bank has stunned financial markets and economists by holding official interest rates steady at 3.85 per cent following its two-day meeting. In the face of ongoing uncertainty around the global economy caused largely by President Donald Trump’s latest move on tariffs, the bank’s monetary policy board decided to wait to see if local inflation pressures will continue to ease.
Australia news LIVE: Sussan Ley beats Angus Taylor to claim Liberals leadership, PM and new Labor cabinet sworn in
By Paul Sakkal Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has withdrawn her candidacy to be deputy Liberal Party leader after Angus Taylor lost the leadership vote to Sussan Ley. The Liberal’s Right faction has put forward Phillip Thompson, the member for Herbert, as its candidate for deputy, to run against Ted O’Brien. Price defected from the National Party after the Coalition’s May 3 election defeat to join the Liberals. By Olivia Ireland Sussan Ley has been elected the first woman to lead the Liberal Party.
Brisbane news live: Expert panel ‘backs Victoria Park stadium’ | Proposed Gold Coast arena’s future uncertain | Household solar panels a ‘worry’ for energy boss
Pinned post from Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie received the first draft of the 100-day Brisbane 2032 Olympic infrastructure review at the weekend. As Cameron Atfield writes, this starts the process to finalise the venues and connections needed for the event. The report remains officially under wraps for now, but according to reports on last night’s Nine News, it recommends building a new stadium at Victoria Park.
‘Wilful act of bastardry’: Henry condemns tax system for crushing young Australians
2 hours ago Asia stocks slide on Trump tariff jitters; HK sinks as AI momentum fades Investing.com-- Most Asian stocks fell on Thursday amid persistent concerns over high U.S. interest rates and increased trade tariffs, with Hong Kong … 3 hours ago MAFS' Adrian reveals why he quit the show in explosive tell-all EXCLUSIVE: Adrian Araouzou opens up about what fans didn't see on TV.
Dutton defends nuclear costings as opponents warn of power bill hit
Dutton defends nuclear costings as opponents warn of power bill hit “Peter Dutton wants to force millions of Australians to switch off the solar they bought, make them pay for more expensive nuclear power, and use their taxes to build nuclear reactors,” Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has claimed his nuclear energy policy would cut power bills by 44 per cent, but analysis by the renewables sector warns it could actually drive up electricity costs by more than $1000 a year for millions of...
King Charles, Queen Camilla visit Australian War Memorial in Canberra
King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra where they were met with loud cheers from onlookers. The King and Queen were greeted by Governor-General Sam Mostyn, then shaking hands with other dignitaries. The royals were then escorted to the roll of honour, where they both placed a poppy as a mark of respect. An ambulance crew was called to help an elderly woman who sat down after feeling unwell.
Long COVID delivering a multibillion-dollar economic hit
Aug 18, 2024 (Brisbane Times - ABIX via COMTEX) -- Researchers from Australian National University, the University of NSW and the University of Melbourne estimate that people with long COVID symptoms lost about 100 million working hours in 2022, costing the economy just under $10 billion in that year.
Brisbane News Live: Qld public transport trips to cost 50c; Unreliable Brisbane CBD lift; Origin surprises
Pinned post from Police are investigating a bizarre crime spree after 17 vehicles were damaged in Annerley, in Brisbane’s inner-south overnight. Vehicles around Victoria Terrace, Prince Street and Duke Street were found with significant damage, including smashed windows. Police could not shed more light on the vandalism this morning other than to say that investigations are continuing.
RBA poised to deliver pre-Christmas cheer to hard-pressed borrowers
Dec 04, 2023 (The Age - ABIX via COMTEX) -- Financial markets and economists generally expect the Reserve Bank of Australia to leave the cash rate unchanged at 4.35 per cent on Tuesday. The central bank has increased official interest rates by 1.25 percentage points during calendar 2023, and an end-of-year pause will be welcomed by Australians with home loans.
Australia news LIVE: Defence spends $8.5m on consultants for AUKUS nuclear regulator; Spain wins FIFA Women’s World Cup - Sydney Morning Herald
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O’Connor backs decision to buy Tomahawks missiles By Caroline Schelle Earlier, Skills and Training Minister Brendan O’Connor backed the decision to purchase Tomahawk long-range missiles from the United States. He told ABC TV the capability was needed, and it was an important asset for the country’s navy and air force. The Albanese government will announce today that it is acquiring over 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles, the third nation to secure the weaponry.
By Caroline Schelle Verified, Olivia Ireland Verified, Shane Wright Verified, Matthew Knott Verified
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Africa Focus News
Australia news LIVE: Army boss says Taipan helicopters to fly again after crash; Fears another rate rise could lead to recession - Sydney Morning Herald - 1 Africa Focus News | 1AfricaFocus
In overseas news, thousands of people backing the coup in Niger marched through the streets of the capital denouncing France, the country’s former colonial power, waving Russian flags, and setting a door at the French Embassy ablaze before the army broke up the crowd. Demonstrators in Niger are openly resentful of France, and Russia is seen by some as a powerful alternative.
'Industrial-scale rort': Plan to end the government pork barrel
Jun 29, 2023 (The Age - ABIX via COMTEX) -- Federal parliament's joint House and Senate audit committee has released the findings of its inquiry into six funding programs that were used by the Morrison government to funnel money into marginal seats, with the six funds worth a total of $7.2 billion.
Chalmers takes on capitalism as we know it in bid to save stretched households
By Shane Wright It’s been labelled everything from a neo-Marxist manifesto to the delusions of grandeur of a nerd who is out of touch with “ordinary Australians”, but Treasurer Jim Chalmers is not for turning. A week after releasing a 6000-word essay on the issues facing the economy, both now and over the coming decades, the treasurer is unbowed in the face of fierce criticism from critics on the political right.
‘National memory at risk’: Outgoing National Archives boss pleads for more money
A permanent increase in funding for the National Archives must be delivered or its collection will once again “fall off a cliff”, the institution’s retiring director-general has warned while arguing its burgeoning collection acts as a bulwark against official corruption.
Fears in Howard government that US position on climate change would stop global efforts
“It is hard to see how a US proposal for a global regime that seriously addresses climate change but which is not based on mandatory targets would allow for a fully functioning international emissions trading scheme,” cabinet was told.
Red peril: the $123 million dollar insect scourge
A South American red fire ant incursion around Brisbane was hoped to be wiped out within years by the government of John Howard which feared the insect could cause billions of dollars of commercial damage and leave Australians dead. But 20 years on from the Howard cabinet signing off on a $123 million eradication program, the red fire ant has expanded its foothold in south-east Queensland with state and federal governments now hoping to eliminate it by mid-2027.
From St Patrick to the Bastille: a swing in the Howard government’s chances
The political fortunes of the Howard government turned between St Patrick’s Day and Bastille Day in 2001, but at a huge financial cost to the federal budget that had to be reversed more than a decade later by Tony Abbott. Spiralling oil prices and a tumbling Australian dollar had contributed to a 20 per cent increase in petrol prices in the nine months to February 2001 that John Howard said was a wake-up call for his government as it entered an election year.
Ten million face hip pocket hit without budget tax cut
© Getty Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg The Morrison government and the opposition will have to promise tens of billions of dollars' worth of personal income tax cuts to 10 million workers on low and middle incomes — many of them women — or risk slowing Australia's recovery from the pandemic. Analysis for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald shows people earning less than $126,000 a year face a tax hike from next financial year.
'Very serious situation': Frydenberg's economic warning over China dispute
© AAP Treasurer Josh Frydenberg The Australian economy faces a serious challenge recovering from the coronavirus without the support of its largest trading partner, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has warned as China and Australia enter a diplomatic stalemate.
Agonist-induced formation of unproductive receptor-G12 complexes
Agonist-induced formation of unproductive receptor-G12 complexes Najeah Okashah, Shane C. Wright, Kouki Kawakami, Signe Mathiasen, Joris Zhou, Sumin Lu, Jonathan A. Javitch, Asuka Inoue, Michel Bouvier, Nevin A. Lambert Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Aug 2020, 202003787; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2003787117
Kingston Frontenacs' Shane Wright living up to exceptional expectations
After they selected Shane Wright first overall in the Ontario Hockey League draft last year, the Frontenacs invited the Don Mills Flyer product to Kingston City Hall to formally introduce him to the community. "We forgot to mention to Shane that he would have to get up and speak," recalled general manager Darren Keily with a smile. "We said basically, 'Hey Shane, you got to say a few words,' and he didn’t skip a beat. He got up in front of a large crowd of people and handled himself really well.
Small business expects fire impact for another year
Small business expects fire impact for another year Skip to sections navigationSkip to contentSkip to footer Small and medium-sized businesses expect the summer's bushfires to hit their bottom lines for the next year as higher costs, low customer confidence and disruptions to travel weigh on their ability to survive.
RBA faces rate squeeze amid global economic meltdown
The Reserve Bank may be forced into cutting official interest rates on Tuesday to a fresh record low of 0.5 per cent as the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak deepens with signs it is debilitating Australia's most important trade partner, China. As recently as last Monday, financial markets had put the chance of a rate cut at this week's RBA board meeting at less than 10 per cent.
Westpac, CBA pass on RBA rate cut to shield economy from coronavirus outbreak
By Shane Wright Updated March 3, 2020 — 1.53pmfirst published at 1.30pm The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut official interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point to a fresh record low of 0.5 per cent as it attempts to protect the Australian economy from the financial fallout of the coronavirus outbreak. Westpac was the first of the major banks to react to the RBA's first reduction in the cash rate since October, announcing it would pass on the cut in full to its borrowers.
RBA cuts rates to new record low to shield economy from coronavirus fallout
By Shane Wright Updated March 3, 2020 — 2.53pmfirst published at 2.30pm The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut official interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point to a fresh record low of 0.5 per cent as it attempts to protect the Australian economy from the financial fallout of the coronavirus outbreak. Westpac was the first of the major banks to react to the RBA's first reduction in the cash rate since October, announcing it would pass on the cut in full to its borrowers.
Newcastle to Sydney fast train needed to stop economy 'idling': Keating
Skip to navigationSkip to contentSkip to footer newsletters, editors-pick-list, Former prime minister Paul Keating says the Australian economy is "idling at the lights" and needs a government-led infrastructure spending boost that should include a fast train between Sydney and Newcastle.
A 15-year-old just received OHL exceptional player status and his highlights show why
BarDown Staff Shane Wright , Twitter/GTHL For the most part, when a player receives OHL exceptional player status, it’s a pretty good bet that they’re going to be a good NHL player someday. Only four players have received exceptional player status before: John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid and Sean Day. Sean Day is obviously the player that stands out as the one that hasn’t reaced quite the same level as the others, but he still got drafted in the third round.
WA plea to change bank rules that hurt Perth property market
WA Treasurer Ben Wyatt has taken the unprecedented step of complaining directly to the nation’s banking regulator that its “one-size-fits-all” approach is cruelling the Perth property market and the wider economy. The West Australian can reveal that Mr Wyatt has written to the head of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, Wayne Byres, demanding it overhaul the rules it has imposed on commercial banks aimed at winding back lending to investors.
Savvy Perth drivers save $520 on petrol
Perth motorists are $520 a year better off on average if they fill up their cars on Mondays rather than Tuesdays. A report by the competition watchdog into fuel cycles across the nation’s capital cities has revealed Perth motorists can save more than drivers anywhere else if they buy their petrol on the right day of the week.
Rate cut from RBA firms as savings slump
The Reserve Bank could be forced into an emergency interest rate cut to help struggling consumers as new figures reveal Australians are digging deeper into their savings to make ends meet as the economy slows. As a Twitter-storm by US President Donald Trump precipitated a multibillion-dollar fall on the Australian sharemarket yesterday, it emerged that the nation’s GDP grew by a lower-than-expected 0.3 per cent in the three months to the end of September.
Tariff Man Donald Trump shakes the world economy
Marvel has Iron Man. DC has Wonder Woman. The real world has Donald “Tariff Man” Trump. Two of those three have the best interests of humanity at heart. Trump’s latest intervention in global markets, by using social media to talk about this protectionist “super power”, was the last thing economies around the world needed. A small insight into the damage that could be wrought could be found in Australia’s national accounts released yesterday.
Rate cut from RBA firms as savings slump
The Reserve Bank could be forced into an emergency interest rate cut to help struggling consumers as new figures reveal Australians are digging deeper into their savings to make ends meet as the economy slows. As a Twitter-storm by US President Donald Trump precipitated a multibillion-dollar fall on the Australian sharemarket yesterday, it emerged that the nation’s GDP grew by a lower-than-expected 0.3 per cent in the three months to the end of September.
Household belt-tightening adds to slide in economic growth
The Australian economy expanded by a less-than-expected 0.3 per cent through the September quarter, prompting doubts over how the new year will play out. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported this morning that annual growth has slipped back to 2.8 per cent. The overall results were held up by net exports, which added 0.3 percentage points to the result, and public spending on capital works.
Growth disappoints as households cap spending
The Australian economy expanded by a less-than-expected 0.3 per cent through the September quarter, prompting doubts over how the new year will play out. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported this morning that annual growth has slipped back to 2.8 per cent. The overall results were held up by net exports, which added 0.3 percentage points to the result, and public spending on capital works.
Power to the people ... and the prime minister
The Americanisation of the Australian parliamentary system continues. The move by Prime Minister Scott Morrison to head off a problem created entirely by the Liberal Party (and previously the Labor Party) by increasing the PM’s power may deliver short-term gains but will surely create long-term issues. Morrison said reducing the ability of the Liberal party room to change its leader was a direct response to calls from the public.
Reserve Bank in no rush to hike interest rates
The Reserve Bank has used its pre-Christmas board meeting to leave official interest rates on hold, with no sign it is in a hurry to change them. Following its final meeting of the year, the board left the cash rate at 1.5 per cent. It last changed rates in August 2016 when it sliced them to the current level. The last rate increase was in November 2010. Governor Philip Lowe said the jobs market remained positive with a further reduction in the jobless rate “likely”.
Reserve Bank spares homeowners Christmas interest rates surprise
The Reserve Bank has used its pre-Christmas board meeting to leave official interest rates on hold, with no sign it is in a hurry to change them. Following its final meeting of the year, the board left the cash rate at 1.5 per cent. It last changed rates in August 2016 when it sliced them to the current level. The last rate increase was in November 2010. Governor Philip Lowe said the jobs market remained positive with a further reduction in the jobless rate “likely”.
Two-thirds rule to stop Liberals’ leadership shuffle
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has sought to pacify voter anger over Australia’s revolving door of prime ministers with an “historic” overhaul of the Liberal Party’s rules that will make it harder to overthrow the leader. Under the changes backed at a surprise partyroom meeting in Canberra last night, two-thirds of Liberal MPs would be required to back any move to dump the party leader.
Two-thirds rule to stop Liberals’ leadership shuffle
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has sought to pacify voter anger over Australia’s revolving door of prime ministers with an “historic” overhaul of the Liberal Party’s rules that will make it harder to overthrow the leader. Under the changes backed at a surprise partyroom meeting in Canberra last night, two-thirds of Liberal MPs would be required to back any move to dump the party leader.
Fear drives Liberals bid to placate angry voters
Scott Morrison has burst his own Canberra bubble. Ever since he assumed the leadership, the Prime Minister has argued the events of August were in the past. Anyone who sought to rake through the coals of the end of Malcolm Turnbull’s term as leader was dismissed as part of the bubble, of not looking forward. But Morrison’s sudden move to get backbench support for a new rule requiring a two-thirds majority to roll a future Liberal prime minister shows the shallowness of that argument.
Why one person’s tax concession is another’s tax bill
Up there with reading the liner notes of a new Kate Bush album for excitement is thumbing through the details of the Federal Budget and the annual tax expenditures report. The Budget, that insight into a Government’s true agenda as well as the state of the economy, is a good measure of spending and taxing priorities. The tax expenditures report, while not nearly as well known as the Budget, is almost as important.
Perth house prices continue to slide
The national property market has slumped to its weakest point since the depths of the global financial crisis with values falling in the run-up to Christmas. CoreLogic’s closely watched property value report today showed values across Perth fell by 0.7 per cent in November to be down 2.1 per cent over the past three months. House values tumbled by 0.8 per cent to be down 3.4 per cent through the year so far.
More Perth property pain as house prices take another hit in CoreLogic’s latest report
The national property market has slumped to its weakest point since the depths of the global financial crisis with values falling in the run-up to Christmas. CoreLogic’s closely watched property value report today showed values across Perth fell by 0.7 per cent in November to be down 2.1 per cent over the past three months. House values tumbled by 0.8 per cent to be down 3.4 per cent through the year so far.
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