EDITORS' PICKS

Powering up a carbon tax fraud
Alan Kohler
As Australian businesses prepare for the flow-on effect from a likely European and US recession, our politicians are too focussed on power to address the critical flaw in their carbon 'solutions'.

Mapping Australia's danger points
Robert Gottliebsen
Markets are signalling that the debt crisis in Europe is far from over, with Australia likely to become embroiled in the volatility. But will China be there to save us?

A benchmark for super stupidity
Robert Gottliebsen
As more Australians set up self-managed superannuation funds, the ATO is looking at benchmarking their investment performance. And it is as ridiculous as it sounds.

Swan's plain and simple guarantee
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Wayne Swan's deposit guarantee scheme appeals due to its simplicity and while a different approach could offer taxpayers better value, Australia's banking sector remains ahead of the curve.

Myer's one stumbling block
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Having produced a creditable result in a tough environment, Myer is well-placed to leverage any sales growth into its earnings – but the return of consumer confidence must come first.

Symptoms of a US depression?
Karen Maley
As long-term interest rates hit fresh lows in America and the economy still shows no signs of a true recovery, it appears that we are seeing something resembling a depression.

A Greek default in the frame
Karen Maley
European politicians are facing a race against time to avoid a Greek default, an event that could have untold consequences for the global economy.

Labor's dash to the carbon finish line
Rob Burgess
The path is clear for Labor to enact its carbon tax policy before the year's end, when attention will shift towards Julia Gillard's prospects for political survival in 2012 and beyond.

Abbott will feel the carbon heat in 2012
Rob Burgess
It may come to pass that the introduction of the government's carbon legislation signalled the beginning of the end for Tony Abbott. The risks to his leadership are many and varied.

Wet ink on a euro death notice
Oliver Marc Hartwich
There is no question that the end of the euro is nigh, but it is hard to predict which event will finally put this moribund currency to rest.

Why shares aren't as safe as houses
Christopher Joye
With interest rates expected to fall and shares not offering the return required to justify the risks involved, expect to see investors flock to the perceived security of property.

TECHNOLOGY SPECTATOR: NBN Buzz – Friendly fire
Alexander Liddington-Cox
The Gillard government has been caught in the crossfire as senior Telstra executives endeavour to sell its NBN deal to shareholders.

CLIMATE SPECTATOR: The 9/11 oil catalyst
Susan Bond
The 9/11 terrorist attacks were the catalyst for an advanced US biofuels industry to develop. But a decade later, the challenge to achieve oil price parity remains.

Germany must dare to choose
Martin Wolf
It's time for Germany to choose between a eurozone vastly different from the one it expected or no eurozone at all. The cost of not doing so would prove devastating.