economy
Jump in forecast inflation clouds interest rate hopes
5 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]
The worrying trend that could put an end to rate cuts
5 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
29 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]
Bank heads to open up before ‘urgent’ rate cut talks
22 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]
Shaving red tape, inflation key to economic growth
15 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]
Blow for borrowers as Reserve Bank curbs rate-cut hopes
15 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]
Spending rebound staggers as Aussies kick booze, smokes
8 October
Falling spending on alcohol, tobacco and recreation has slowed Australia’s consumer recovery as the Reserve Bank mulls whether to cut interest rates again. Household spending grew 0.1 per cent in August, the Australian Bureau of Statistics...[Read More]
Timeline set for easing of student debt burden
8 October
Some three million Australians with a student debt will soon see their balance owed reduced as the tax office prepares to implement a 20 per cent cut. The Australian Tax Office will apply the reprieve from mid-November and anticipates half of...[Read More]
Rate cut run may be over as inflation raises concerns
1 October
It’s looking increasingly unlikely borrowers will get more mortgage relief in 2025 after the Reserve Bank of Australia’s most hawkish interest rate hold since it began cuts. Governor Michele Bullock refused to say whether the central bank was...[Read More]
Bank’s big rate call after ‘ugly’ inflation print
24 September
Mortgage holders might have to wait until next year for more rate relief after a sharp rise in services inflation all but killed off the already slim chance of a September cut. The consumer price index climbed from 2.8 to three per cent for the year...[Read More]
National economy still stuck in ‘productivity malaise’
24 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]
Hot economic growth may place further rate cuts on ice
10 September
Australian borrowers have been warned the end of interest rate cuts may be near as a surge in household spending heats up the economy. A surprise jump in economic growth, revealed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday, was followed by...[Read More]
Real wages boost for workers, but costs might worry RBA
20 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]
Jobless fall gives RBA room before next rate cut
20 August
A modest fall in the jobless rate shows Australia’s labour market is still resilient, giving the Reserve Bank breathing room before it cuts interest rates again. The unemployment rate edged down to 4.2 per cent in July, the Australian Bureau of...[Read More]
Real wages boost as annual growth holds at 3.4 per cent
13 August
Wages grew by 3.4 per cent in the year to June, and above expectations, providing a boost to workers’ real incomes. The annual figure was steady from the first quarter, but because inflation fell to 2.1 per cent in that March quarter, real wages...[Read More]