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]
Working women key to future economic growth: bank boss
16 April
Women’s participation in the Australian economy has been remarkably transformed in the past 40 years but more progress is needed, the head of the central bank says.
Michele Bullock made history in 2023 when she became the first woman appointed...[Read More]
Living pressures ease for employee households
8 February
Working families are still under acute financial pressure but fewer cash rate hikes of late has tempered growth in their overall living costs.
In the 12 months to the December quarter, living costs rose 6.9 per cent for employee households, down...[Read More]
Women gradually cracking the glass ceiling
25 January
Women are still woefully under-represented in top jobs but female leaders are becoming more common in Australia’s economic and financial institutions.
Within Treasury, the government department responsible for economic policy, the federal budget...[Read More]
ACCC probe to ensure savers get fair deal
11 January
The consumer watchdog has been asked to look into interest rates for savers amid concern banks aren’t offering their customers a fair deal.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers urged the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to investigate the matter,...[Read More]
Earnings, yield to drive returns in 2023
4 January
It’s been a tough year for most equities and investors will likely have to accept lower returns in 2023 – but Australia will still likely outperform its global peers, according to a boutique fund manager.
SG Hiscock portfolio manager Hamish...[Read More]
RBA decision risks higher cash rate peak
6 October
The surprise slowdown in the pace of rate rises risks dragging out the rate hiking cycle and forcing the central bank to go even higher than expected to dampen demand.
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s 0.25 percentage point lift is the sixth...[Read More]
