economy
Interest rate cuts might have less impact than thought
13 November
Changes to interest rates could have less of an impact on household spending than traditionally thought, which means the Reserve Bank might have to hike or cut harder to achieve its aims. Despite the RBA hiking interest rates in one of its sharpest...[Read More]
No smoking gun to link deposit scheme, home price spike
13 November
Property prices grew at the fastest rate in more than two years following the federal government’s expanded deposit guarantee scheme kicking in, but there is not enough evidence of a direct link between the two, housing experts say. Home values...[Read More]
RBA bigwig reveals how economy can escape slow lane
13 November
Whether Australia takes the road to prosperity or stays in the slow lane depends largely on fixing productivity, according to a top Reserve Bank official. Australia’s economy faces three possible paths forward, RBA deputy governor Andrew Hauser...[Read More]
Consumers feeling merry in time for a Christmas splurge
13 November
Australian households are optimistic about their economic prospects for the first time since the start of an inflation spike almost four years ago. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index climbed above 100, meaning optimists...[Read More]
Economy heads for first major test since RBA rate hold
13 November
Job figures are set to take centre stage as economists continue to mull whether borrowers have seen their last Reserve Bank rate cut this cycle. In the first major piece of economic data since the RBA left interest rates on hold last week, the...[Read More]
Jump in forecast inflation clouds interest rate hopes
6 November
The Reserve Bank has drastically lifted inflation forecasts after admitting its last estimate was off the mark, likely ruling out rate cuts until late 2026 at the earliest. Released as its monetary policy board held interest rates steady on Tuesday,...[Read More]
Pathway emerges for elusive EU-Australia trade deal
6 November
An elusive EU-Australia free trade agreement could soon be finalised, with possible agriculture concessions paving the way for the stalled deal to get over the line. Negotiations have twice fallen over at the final hurdle as Australia demands...[Read More]
The worrying trend that could put an end to rate cuts
6 November
In the shock inflation print that scared the Reserve Bank off cutting interest rates at its latest meeting, two items gave governor Michele Bullock particular cause for concern. After the central bank kept the cash rate steady at 3.6 per cent on...[Read More]
Pre-Christmas rate relief dashed after inflation spike
30 October
Home owners are unlikely to receive further relief on interest rates for the rest of the year after a surge in inflation. The latest figures showed headline inflation for the September quarter rose from 2.1 per cent to 3.2 per cent. It was the first...[Read More]
What’s driving inflation spike as rate cut hopes dive
30 October
Underlying inflation is growing for the first time since December 2022, with chances of a mortgage payment-easing interest rate cut next week all but gone. NEW INFLATION RATES * The consumer price index rose 1.3 per cent in the September 2025...[Read More]
Bank heads to open up before ‘urgent’ rate cut talks
23 October
Central bank chiefs could set the table for an interest rate cut when they speak after a shock unemployment jump. Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock and key lieutenant Brad Jones will address events this week, a fortnight before they meet and...[Read More]
Job ads and job-seekers up in ‘challenging’ market
23 October
The number of job-seekers per role has hit a new high, even as employers gain the confidence to hire again. In a sign of the challenging times for Australians looking for work, fresh data from employment marketplace Seek shows both job ads and job...[Read More]
Blow for borrowers as Reserve Bank curbs rate-cut hopes
16 October
The Reserve Bank is in no rush to cut interest rates again, the minutes from its last meeting reveal, as it waits for more economic data to guide its next steps. The central bank is worried inflation may be stronger than expected, driven partly by...[Read More]
Shaving red tape, inflation key to economic growth
16 October
Price rises in parts of Australia’s economy remain difficult to contain as businesses struggle under the burden of excessive red tape, top economic officials warn. Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock has used her appearance at a parliamentary...[Read More]
Australia falling behind as experts call for AI urgency
15 October
Leaders in artificial intelligence warn Australia is falling behind and national productivity gains rest on embracing the technology. The sense of urgency for Australia to jump on the global AI bandwagon has not been felt for a “century or so”,...[Read More]