Editor profile

James Sterling

Chief Editor, Markets & Economic Outlook

James Sterling analyzes Australia's macroeconomic trends, property markets, and long-term consumer structures. Based in Sydney, he provides strategic foresight into the region's economic growth.

james.sterling@ausbizdaily.com

Bylined articles

Australia Business

Northern Territory Economic Forum Focus: Resources, Energy and Defense Drive Future Growth

The 5th Future Northern Territory Forum was held in Darwin, where political and business leaders discussed key topics such as energy, defense, and infrastructure. This article analyzes the opportunities and challenges of the Northern Territory's economic transformation, as well as its strategic significance for Australia's resource exports and Asia-Pacific trade.

James Sterling3 min read
Market Outlook

Tax reform impacts housing market: Australian economy faces chain reaction

AMP Chief Economist Shane Oliver warned that Labor's policies of abolishing capital gains tax concessions and limiting negative gearing have caused auction clearance rates to plummet to 43%, accelerating the decline in house prices. This could drag down consumption through the wealth effect, thereby slowing overall economic growth.

James Sterling3 min read
Australia Business

How Bunnings Uses AI Agent Technology to Reshape the Trade Customer Experience: Strategic Expansion from DIY to the Commercial Market

Bunnings plans to apply the Gemini technology behind its AI assistant 'Buddy' to trade and commercial customers, marking the retail giant's strategic extension from the DIY market to the B2B sector. This article analyzes its far-reaching impact on Australian retail, technology investment, and customer experience.

James Sterling4 min read
Market Outlook

Australia's tax reform ends the 'real estate complex': Far-reaching impact on businesses and investors

The Australian government's cancellation of the capital gains tax discount and prohibition of negative gearing on existing housing have led to a sharp drop in auction clearance rates and an expected decline in housing prices. This article analyzes the structural impact of the tax reform on investors, first-time homebuyers, and the overall economy.

James Sterling5 min read
Energy Infrastructure

Envision Energy Releases 2026 Net Zero Action Report: AI and Energy Integration Reshapes Australia's Industrial Landscape

Envision Energy released its 2026 Net Zero Action Report at VivaTech, emphasizing that the integration of AI and energy systems will reshape global infrastructure. The report showcases practices such as AI power systems and green hydrogen, which have far-reaching implications for Australia's renewable energy, critical minerals, and Asia-Pacific trade.

James Sterling6 min read
Mining Resources

McLaren Minerals accelerates flagship titanium project reserve growth: Implications for Australia's critical minerals strategy

McLaren Minerals is advancing drilling at its flagship titanium project in the Fraser Range of Western Australia, discovering near-surface thick mineralization zones that are expected to significantly increase resource reserves. This article analyzes the potential impact of the project on Australia's titanium mining industry, global supply chains, and the Asia-Pacific trade landscape.

James Sterling5 min read
Mining Resources

Resource nationalism is reshaping the critical minerals landscape: Australian mining faces new rules.

Resource nationalism is expanding from taxation to export controls, processing requirements, and production quotas, intensifying global competition for critical minerals such as lithium and rare earths. For Australian mining, this means rising investment risks and accelerated supply chain restructuring, but also opportunities in processing and supply chain diversification. This article provides an in-depth analysis of how Australian enterprises are responding to this new landscape.

James Sterling5 min read
Australia Business

Structural changes in the Australian bath ball set market: import dependence, premium segmentation, and the coexistence of local niche specialization

IndexBox’s latest market analysis shows that the Australian bath bomb set market continues to expand, driven by self-care, gift consumption, and e-commerce distribution, but its supply chain is highly dependent on imports, while local brands differentiate themselves through small-batch production, premium pricing, and sustainable packaging.

James Sterling9 min read
Market Outlook

Australian commercial real estate financing remains resilient: capital is once again favoring assets with stable cash flow

CBRE’s latest survey shows that Australian commercial real estate lenders remain willing to expand exposure, but their capital preferences are shifting from industrial assets toward stable office properties, hotels, and student accommodation, reflecting how interest rates, construction costs, and yield certainty are reshaping capital allocation.

James Sterling8 min read