Jobs data tops economic agenda as Iran war re-escalates
23 July
Jobs data is expected to show ongoing resilience in Australia’s labour market but renewed conflict in the Middle East could bring more bad news for the domestic economy.
The unemployment rate is expected to hold steady at 4.4 per cent in June...[Read More]
Strong jobs figures clock on for future rate rise shift
2 July
Stronger-than-expected jobs and spending data has bolstered the case for more rate hikes, but events overseas could stay the Reserve Bank’s hand.
An extra 40,300 jobs were added to the economy in May, driving down the unemployment rate to 4.4 per...[Read More]
Labor shrugs off claim tax shift will sink house prices
3 June
Contentious changes to taxes on property investments won’t be the main driver of expected falls in prices, the housing minister says.
As auction clearance rates hit lows not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic, Clare O’Neil said it was unclear how...[Read More]
Jobless jump, Iran war shoot down fears of rate rise
28 May
The likelihood of a rate hike in June has shrunk after a surprise jump in the unemployment rate showed the Iran war is having a material impact on Australia’s economy.
While bad news for workers, the rise in the jobless rate from 4.3 per cent to...[Read More]
Budget spending stokes fears of further rate rise pain
14 May
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is defending an extra $18 billion in government spending next financial year despite warnings it will make the Reserve Bank’s fight against inflation harder.
The federal budget on Tuesday revealed government spending will...[Read More]
Spike in jobless rate unlikely to end RBA hiking cycle
26 March
Noisy jobs data has revealed a tight labour market, giving the Reserve Bank the green light to further hike interest rates despite a spike in unemployment.
The jobless rate jumped to 4.3 per cent in February, despite almost 50,000 more people...[Read More]
A “cartel” of vested interests is stymying crucial tax reforms which could help free up more homes, a former boss of the Reserve Bank says.
Bernie Fraser, the only person in Australian history to have served as both RBA governor and Treasury...[Read More]
Reserve Bank boss calls on businesses to invest smarter
12 February
The Reserve Bank governor has called on businesses to help lift Australia’s sluggish productivity growth as she tries to bring inflation under control.
Facing a string of questions about the government’s role in driving up inflation at a...[Read More]
Healthy jobs market spells rate pain for borrowers
29 January
Analysts are warning mortgage holders an interest rate rise could be just weeks away, after surprisingly strong jobs figures heightened the Reserve Bank of Australia’s concerns about inflation.
Forecasters were taken off guard by the resilience of...[Read More]
Key RBA concern eases ahead of crucial inflation print
29 January
Australian firms are noticing an easing in a key business pressure, taking some steam out of calls for the Reserve Bank to hike interest rates.
But while capacity utilisation cooled slightly in December, it remains above the long-run average and...[Read More]
Inflation surges as energy rebates run out of gas
26 November
Surging inflation has dashed hopes of one last rate cut and heightened expectations energy rebates will be extended.
Expiring electricity subsidies helped drive up the annual consumer price index from 3.6 per cent to a 16-month high of 3.8 per cent...[Read More]
National economy still stuck in ‘productivity malaise’
25 September
Australia’s productivity performance improved in the June quarter, but weak capital investment is still holding back growth in living standards, the Productivity Commission says.
Growth in labour productivity – or doing more with less –...[Read More]
Real wages boost for workers, but costs might worry RBA
21 August
Workers have enjoyed the strongest annual growth in real wages in more than five years, but the Reserve Bank will be on alert in case labour costs cause inflation to fire up again.
Wages grew by 3.4 per cent in the year to June, slightly above...[Read More]
Spotlight on unemployment as jobs market loses heat
19 June
Signs the labour market is easing will alleviate Reserve Bank concerns about inflation with Australia’s jobless rate tipped to remain at historic lows.
Economists predict labour force figures for May – to be released by the Australian Bureau of...[Read More]
Restaurants on the brink as business failures plateau
29 May
The future of many businesses struggling to stay afloat rests upon the Reserve Bank and Donald Trump.
Business conditions in Australia remain perilously difficult, with insolvency levels at record highs in April, CreditorWatch reported in its...[Read More]
