economy
Tariff turmoil triggers Reserve Bank inflation fears
16 April
The threat of Donald Trumpās tariffs loomed large over the Reserve Bank as it made the call to keep interest rates on hold, warning that US measures could lead to higher inflation. Minutes from the central bankās April 1 meeting, released on...[Read More]
Reserve Bank call for calm is welcome amid tariff drama
16 April
The treasurer backs Reserve Bank assurances the domestic economy is well-placed to deal with shockwaves from Donald Trumpās tariffs. The central bankās governor Michele Bullock tried to allay concerns in a speech on Thursday night after a week...[Read More]
Working women key to future economic growth: bank boss
16 April
Womenās 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]
Tariff storm blows economy and election off course
9 April
WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH WORLD TRADE? * President Donald Trump announced a slew of tariffs on US trading partners, ostensibly to correct a decades-long trade deficit after complaining America had been taken advantage of * Global markets went into...[Read More]
Calls mount for RBA to intervene with jumbo rate cut
9 April
Odds are shortening for the Reserve Bank to cut rates by 50 basis points at its next meeting as global financial turmoil weighs heavily on Australians. Though most economists do not view an Australian recession as a realistic chance, the prospect of...[Read More]
Trade opportunities beckon amid global tariff meltdown
9 April
Australia can capitalise on āenormous opportunitiesā in the wake of Donald Trumpās tariffs, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says as the US president escalates his trade feud with China. The government hopes to reassure investors and the...[Read More]
āCautiousā RBA holds rates steady ahead of election
2 April
Hopes remain high for mortgage relief in May despite a ācautiousā Reserve Bank of Australia keeping interest rates on hold. As widely expected by economists, the RBAās new monetary policy board held the cash rate steady at 4.1 per cent at its...[Read More]
Two data prints and a Trump wildcard to decide rate cut
2 April
Donald Trumpās so-called āliberation dayā looms over the economic calendar but another date could have even greater implications for interest rates in Australia. By April 30 Australians could know whether the Reserve Bank is set to cut rates...[Read More]
Energy policy trips up leaders in cost-of-living poll
2 April
Voters are hearing less about nuclear and more about gas from the federal opposition as the major parties struggle to sell their visions for cheaper, cleaner power. Building seven nuclear power plants in five states is central to Opposition Leader...[Read More]
Budget focuses on power bills, tax cuts and healthcare
26 March
FEDERAL BUDGET AT A GLANCE * Budget deficit of $27.6 billion this financial year * Commonwealth gross debt to rise to $940 billion (33.7 per cent of GDP) in 2024/25 before cracking $1 trillion the year after * Net debt to rise to $556 billion in...[Read More]
Inflation falls in line with expectations
26 March
The Reserve Bankās efforts to curb inflation are heading in the right direction, with monthly inflation continuing downward, but it likely wonāt be enough to force a rate cut next week. The monthly consumer price index fell 10 basis points to...[Read More]
āUnfair, unrealisticā: young Aussies bear budget burden
26 March
Australian workers will be increasingly relied upon to prop up ballooning federal government spending, despite tax cuts handing back two years of bracket creep. The āmodestā cuts announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers in the federal budget will...[Read More]
Budget fundamentals smashed as storms cloud outlook
26 March
Australia is on track for structural deficits as far as the government can see, clouding the economyās final approach to a soft landing. Treasurer Jim Chalmersā federal budget unveiled on Tuesday night locks in underlying deficits until 2035/36...[Read More]
Treasurer to tighten belt in āfew surprisesā budget
19 March
Australiaās economic luck is running out, meaning fewer spending promises from the government ahead of the election. The federal budget will contain the smallest revenue upgrade by far in this term of government when it is released next week,...[Read More]
Economic tussle as tariffs threaten businesses on brink
19 March
Australian businesses on the brink could go bust if US tariffs become the straw that breaks the camelās back, as economic management comes into focus ahead of the election. Businesses are already struggling to pay their trading partners due to...[Read More]