EDITORS' PICKS

Following an extraordinary week, here's the pick of Business Spectator's commentary including Gottliebsen on Australia's best growth prospects, Bartholomeusz on what BHP and Rio will do after the boom, and Maley on the Coalition's costings debacle.

The government we'll have to have
Alan Kohler, Election 2010
The global financial crisis permanently changed the Australian electorate – our two-speed economy now has a matching two-speed polity. These divisions won't be solved by another election.

The bulls surge ahead
Robert Gottliebsen
Last night's market action highlights how much cash is sitting on the sidelines watching for signs of hope. The bulls may be proved right, but US dollar-denominated assets still carry a huge risk.

Growth visions from Hayman
Robert Gottliebsen
Each year the Hayman Island leaders' retreat throws up growth opportunities for Australian business. This year it showed where Australia should be playing catch-up with China.

BHP and Rio's plan B
Stephen Bartholomeusz
China's rapidly maturing economy will eventually grow out of its current demand for iron ore, but BHP and Rio are better positioned than other miners to adjust to the nation's changing tastes.

Industry's better broadband plan
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior telco executives are backing a largely wireless-based NBN, with schools, hospitals and businesses prioritised over high-density areas. It's a more cost-effective plan that's a lot closer to the Coalition's broadband policy.

Saved by the BRICs
Karen Maley
Goldman Sachs' chief economist thinks there's good reason for long-term bullishness. While the US is clearly in trouble, he argues that robust demand growth in Brazil, Russia, India and China will drive renewed global growth.

Why Hockey and Robb must go
Karen Maley
Huge discrepancies in the Coalition's budgetary estimates have deeply embarrassed Tony Abbott. He must now scrap the paid parental scheme and replace the front-benchers who designed it.

Q&A: Infigen's Miles George
Giles Parkinson
Infigen's managing director says energy retailers will rely on independent developers to build wind farms, and says his company is looking for institutional investors to act as partners.

Power has gone to their heads
Michael Gawenda, Election 2010
Australian politics is beginning to resemble a sort of surreal theatre. The independents' demands for parliamentary reform look okay, but their major policy demands are just not right.

King-makers or little princes?
Natasha Stott Despoja
The competing demands of the independents who will help form our next government highlight important areas of democratic reform.