economy
Early rate-cut hopes alive as core inflation eases
8 January
Mortgage-holders and a prime minister in election mode are hoping an encouraging step down in underlying inflation will pave the way for a February interest rate cut. Economists were generally heartened by official monthly inflation numbers, though...[Read More]
Inflation rate edges higher to 2.3 per cent
8 January
Australia’s headline inflation rate has bumped higher to 2.3 per cent in November, up from 2.1 per cent in October. The headline figure was broadly expected to shift higher to 2.2 per cent in the official monthly readout from the Australian Bureau...[Read More]
Coalition insists nuclear plan won’t blow up economy
8 January
A warning the coalition’s nuclear energy plan will shrink the Queensland economy by up to five per cent has been dismissed by the opposition, following a similar red flag for NSW. “Whichever way you want to look at it, this is a lower-cost...[Read More]
Rate cuts on horizon in mixed 2025 for the economy
1 January
Australians have endured taxing economic conditions in the past calendar year, but there is cause for cautious hope in 2025. Long-awaited interest rate cuts are broadly expected in the first half of the year, providing household budgets with...[Read More]
Short trips, cheaper grub: tight budgets change travel
1 January
Booking hotels and tickets well in advance has long defined Australian travellers but as household budgets come under stress, last-minute trips and spontaneity are becoming more popular. Amid high prices for groceries, housing and other essentials,...[Read More]
Welfare payments, wage theft laws to change in new year
1 January
MAJOR CHANGES TO PAYMENTS AND REGULATIONS AFFECTING AUSTRALIANS IN 2025: * Wage theft laws will come into effect, meaning employers who underpay workers will be committing a criminal offence * More than one million Australians will see government...[Read More]
Productivity slump worsens Australia’s deficit dilemma
25 December
Australian productivity is in the doldrums, complicating matters for a government struggling to grow its way out of a debt problem. Labour productivity – which measures how much output is produced per hour worked – fell 0.8 per cent in the 12...[Read More]
Cost of giving diminishes Christmas joy
25 December
Balancing the difficult reality of cost-of-living pressures with the desire to buy gifts, take holidays and put a feast on the table this Christmas is forcing Australians to make tough decisions. While some families will rely on cutbacks to achieve...[Read More]
Deficits dig deeper holes as cracks appear in budget
18 December
Australia’s finances have been downgraded by $21.8 billion as rising spending and plunging tax receipts set up a decade of budget deficits. The degraded fiscal bottom line was laid bare in Wednesday’s mid-year economic and fiscal outlook, which...[Read More]
Economic challenges laid bare in mid-year budget review
18 December
KEY FORECASTS FOR AUSTRALIA’S ECONOMY: * The economy is expected to grow at 1.75 per cent in 2024/25, before recording real GDP growth of 2.25 per cent, 2.5 per cent and 2.75 per cent in the years following * Unemployment is expected to rise to...[Read More]
Young families bear the brunt of cost-of-living crisis
11 December
Expenses for families with a child aged younger than five are 27 per cent higher than in 2021, according to research that shows they are suffering most from the cost-of-living crisis. While headline inflation has fallen to 2.8 per cent, daily...[Read More]
Carer, student, youth support payments set to grow
11 December
More than one million Australians will soon receive a hip-pocket bump as their support payments increase. From January 1, payments for young people, students, carers and others will be indexed to keep up with inflation. Jobseekers, students,...[Read More]
Economy yet to shake malaise as growth misses forecasts
4 December
Australia’s economy is still growing – but only just – though economists are unconvinced the weaker-than-expected data will bring forward keenly-anticipated interest rate cuts. Full-year growth fell to 0.8 per cent in September, down from one...[Read More]
Drivers hit the brakes on car buys as economy slows
4 December
Motorists’ need for speed is slowing down, with new car sales stalling in Australia for the fourth month in a row in what one industry expert called a “disturbing trend”. Vehicle sales declined by more than 10 per cent in November, according...[Read More]
Christmas rate cut hopes slayed as inflation holds firm
27 November
Australia’s inflation rate may have undershot expectations to hold at the bottom of the central bank’s target band but borrowers should not expect interest rate cuts just yet. The annual headline inflation rate has held at 2.1 per cent in...[Read More]