economy

Generation dread: Aussies unprepared for money shocks

2 October

Less than a quarter of Australians are satisfied with their financial position, with younger generations increasingly relying on grandparents for support. Research conducted by investment group MLC found 70 per cent of people said financial...[Read More]

Retail sales to show economy continues to sputter along

2 October

Retail sales figures should show the Australian economy continues to “muddle along” without setting off too many alarm bells about an imminent recession or inflation kicking off again. Economists expect the Australian Bureau of Statistics on...[Read More]

Power subsidies and cheaper petrol drive down inflation

25 September

A drop in inflation has been welcomed as a small respite for struggling shoppers but households are being warned prices are set to bounce around and not come down in a straight line. Inflation cooled to 2.7 per cent in the 12 months to August, down...[Read More]

Slight reprieve as inflation cools to 2.7 per cent

25 September

Australians have been gifted a slight reprieve, with inflation moderating to 2.7 per cent as price pressures hurt shoppers at the checkout. The drop in the inflation figure spanning the 12 months to August was spurred by a decrease in transport...[Read More]

Business leaders eye economic light at end of tunnel

19 September

Australian business leaders are broadly optimistic about the state of the economy and more than half plan to hire and bolster workforces. Nearly nine in 10 Australian chief executive officers surveyed were confident about the economy despite a...[Read More]

Let’s do business: PM reform plea to corporate leaders

18 September

Big economic reform is still possible if the government and businesses can put aside differences, the prime minister says, following criticism from a major lobby group. The government remained committed to the corporate sector, especially as there...[Read More]

A tougher jobs market is becoming top concern playing on consumer minds

11 September

Fears of a tougher jobs market is starting to muscle out cost-of-living pain as the top concern playing on consumer minds. Less chatter about interest rate hikes, tax cuts and power bill rebates from state and federal governments has boosted...[Read More]

Plum market as trade deal reached with Vietnam

11 September

Horticulture producers say Vietnam is a plum market for their produce, as the Albanese government confirmed the reopening of the Southeast Asian market. After two years of negotiations between the Australian and Vietnamese governments, market access...[Read More]

PM lays down budget challenge on coalition cuts

28 August

The prime minister has challenged the opposition to detail planned budget cuts should the coalition win government, after it said it could make “significant” reductions in spending. Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor flagged that the coalition has...[Read More]

Cost-of-living relief to show up in inflation readout

28 August

Energy rebates handed out to all households are expected to influence monthly inflation figures due for release this week. Wednesday’s consumer price index from the Australian Bureau of Statistics is tipped to show a sharp decline in headline...[Read More]

Long COVID cost economy $9.6b in lost work hours

21 August

More than one million Australians who contracted long COVID at the height of the pandemic cost the national economy almost $10 billion in lost productivity. Academics from the Australian National University (ANU), University of NSW (UNSW) and...[Read More]

Wages growth past peak and easing incrementally

14 August

Workers in the private sector are still clocking robust pay growth but the pace has been gradually slowing over the past year, reflecting a softening jobs market. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show average private sector wages...[Read More]

Rising cost of living hammers renters and mortgage belt

7 August

All households are feeling the pinch from rising living costs yet those renting or paying off a mortgage are experiencing the biggest hits to their purchasing power. Following the Reserve Bank’s decision to keep interest rates on hold and stamp...[Read More]

Inflation accelerates yet unlikely to spur rate hike

31 July

Australian borrowers can breathe a sigh of relief as highly-anticipated inflation numbers land soft enough to dissolve fears of another interest rate hike The annual rate of headline inflation did accelerate, however, rising to 3.8 per cent, up from...[Read More]

The surprise state topping Australia’s economic ladder