Treasury, Finance say economy is resilient
The Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Outlook produced independently by Treasury and Finance has proved little different from last month's budget.
economy, business and finance
Rio Tinto backs Russian, Ukrainian workers
Rio Tinto says it is offering support to workers of Ukrainian and Russian heritage and has committed $US5 million ($A6.8 million) to humanitarian agencies.
Australia gets IMF vote of confidence: PM
The International Monetary Fund's upgrade of Australia's economic outlook is a vote of confidence, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says.
IMF cuts global growth forecast due to war
The IMF has slashed its global growth forecast for this year due to the war in the Ukraine, COVID-19 lockdowns in China and rampant inflation.
Certainty welcomed for new gas, minerals
Australia will take its place in the new energy economy with taxpayer support to reinvent fossil fuels and mine new minerals, under plans backed by industry.
Calls to ease COVID-19 isolation rules
Business groups say it's time to scrap the seven-day isolation period for household contacts of people with COVID-19, which they blame for staff shortages.
More signs of rate rise sooner than later
The Reserve Bank of Australia warns in the minutes of its April board meeting that rising inflation has brought forward the timing of a cash rate rise.
Retailers to enjoy Easter sales boost
New research predicts retailers will enjoy a $7.1 billion sales boost this Easter holiday weekend, with Saturday one of the top 10 trading days of the year.
Queensland leads nation in carbon farming
An industry scorecard finds Australia is leading the world on carbon farming, but uncertainty hangs over the sector with Labor pledging a review if elected.
Rate rise risk unnerves mortgage holders
Households with a mortgage have posted a steep drop in confidence due to concerns a cash rate rise by the RBA is just months away.
Consumers, business upbeat ahead of poll
Consumers and business have entered a long six-week federal election campaign in a relatively upbeat mood.
Auction rates bubble on despite price cool
Despite cooling Australian house prices, auction rates are sky high as buyers get in and sellers go to market before interest rates rise.
RBA warns of quicker, steeper rate rises
The Reserve Bank warns borrowers to be prepared for interest rates to rise more quickly than anticipated, as politicians gear up for a cost-of-living election.
Feds ‘must fund’ renewables infrastructure
The federal government is being urged to increase its spending on decarbonisation to unlock investment and jobs in the Hunter and Gladstone regions.
Toyota class action bill could reach $2b
A class action lawsuit against Toyota has been upheld, with the auto giant facing the prospect of paying out thousands of customers to the tune of $2 billion.
More economists expect June rate rise
More economists have brought forward to June their expected date for a first rise in the RBA cash rate in a decade.
Major cities see impact of fuel excise cut
Motorists are enjoying lower petrol prices in major cities as a result of the cut to fuel excise and everyone should be enjoying the benefit in coming weeks.
Scarborough gas venture wins key approvals
The Commonwealth-Western Australian Joint Authority has granted Woodside key approvals for the massive LNG Scarborough Project off the coast of Karratha.
Many moving parts gauging inflation: RBA
Reserve Bank officials have told senators they are seeking clarity on the state of inflation as many factors have emerged since its last set of forecasts.
RBA warns watching inflation, wages data
The Reserve Bank of Australia board has left the cash rate unchanged, but warns it will be monitoring inflation and wages figures in coming months.
RBA’s Lowe warns higher inflation ahead
Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe has warned higher rates of inflation are ahead, signally he will be keeping watch on data results in coming months.
Petrol prices fall as job market tightens
Petrol prices are dropping below $2 while new job advertising figures suggest the unemployment rate could be in the low-threes by the end of this year.
PM and Albanese primed for poll showdown
Scott Morrison was in Tasmania just days out from firing the starting gun for the May election, while Anthony Albanese held a Labor rally in Brisbane.
Plan to boost nation’s farmed prawns fails
The plan to build one of the world's biggest prawn farms at an outback Northern Territory cattle station has been put on hold over cost concerns.
Inflation rise in June quarter: Treasury
A Senate estimates hearing has been told higher global oil prices and supply-chain pressures are contributing to growing inflation.
Bullock appointed Reserve Bank deputy
The Reserve Bank of Australia has its first female deputy governor in its 62-year history, Michele Bullock, who replaces the retiring Guy Debelle.
Jobless rate could fall below 4pct soon
The unemployment rate could fall below 4 per cent sooner than forecast in this week's federal budget with the number of job vacancies growing in recent months.
Carbon price will return under Greens
The Greens say they will bring back a price on carbon if they are placed in the balance of power after the federal election expected in May.
Concerns budget spend will fuel inflation
Global credit rating agencies have given a nod of approval to the federal budget, but economists see pre-election handouts further fuelling inflation.
Budget a measure for tough times: Morrison
The prime minister says the budget is about more than getting re-elected after Treasurer Josh Frydenberg unveiled a number of short-term sweeteners.
Billions set aside for COVID winter fight
Out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions will be reduced for millions of people, while Medicare funding will increase over the next five years.