economy
Population growth not stopping ‘recession-like’ economy
7 October
Australians face “recession-like” conditions as the nation’s increasing reliance on population growth over productivity catches up with policy-makers.The economy is likely to avoid a technical recession, defined as two consecutive quarters of...[Read More]
Consumer confidence plunges to worst level since 1990s
7 October
Australian households are the most persistently pessimistic they have been since the early-1990s recession, after a fourth Reserve Bank rate rise.Following the RBA’s decision to lift interest rates to the highest level since 2011, confidence among...[Read More]
More pain brews for borrowers as rates hit 15-year high
30 September
Cash-strapped borrowers are being warned of more hikes to come by the Reserve Bank of Australia after it lifted interest rates to a 15-year high.In a unanimous decision, the central bank’s nine-member board lifted the cash rate target by 25 basis...[Read More]
Headline inflation jumps back to four per cent
30 September
Australia’s annual headline inflation rate has climbed to four per cent as higher oil prices continue to filter through the economy.The consumer price index rose 0.4 per cent in August, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported on Wednesday, a...[Read More]
Debt concerns: treasurer’s era of cheap-money ending
30 September
Because everyone wants your money, you can charge them more for it.That’s the issue facing governments forced to pay investors more for borrowing cash in the form of bonds.The eye-watering sums being raised by artificial intelligence...[Read More]
Oliver’s Insights – Nine key longer term consequences of the US/Israeli war with Iran
15 April
Key points Uncertainty remains high over the US/Iran War with a ceasefire declared but no agreement in talks so far. Tensions continue to remain high and oil flows remain restricted, with Trump announcing his own blockade on the Strait of...[Read More]
New year brings cheaper medicines, higher energy bills
31 December
When Australians wake up to a new year, changes to government payments and policies will impact the finances of millions of households. From Thursday, the maximum cost of medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will be slashed from $31.60 to...[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]
Economy shrugs off tariff turmoil to outperform peers
24 September
An influential global economic organisation is warning central banks to be vigilant about inflation, as it fires a broadside at Donald Trump’s political interference with the Federal Reserve. The Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation...[Read More]