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

Energy Infrastructure

Africa's construction market has enjoyed a decade of prosperity—how has Australia become a hidden beneficiary of this landscape?

According to the latest market report, the African construction market is expected to continue expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 7.57% between 2026 and 2034. Urbanization, housing shortages, and large-scale infrastructure projects are creating ripple effects across global supply chains. From an Australian business perspective, this article analyzes the potential implications of this trend for resource exports, engineering services, and investment portfolios.

James Sterling5 min read
Market Outlook

Australian Residential Property Market 2026: Regional Divergence Intensifies, Supply Bottlenecks and Interest Rate Dynamics Reshape Investment Landscape

In 2026, the Australian residential market shows significant regional divergence: Perth's annual growth reached 22%, Brisbane 17.3%, while Sydney and Melbourne saw stagnant monthly growth. Supply shortages, population growth, and interest rate hikes jointly influence the trend. This article analyzes city-level data, foreign investment policies, and forecasts from KPMG and NAB, providing investors with an in-depth analysis from a commercial perspective.

James Sterling7 min read
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