Prices ease but insurance and housing are still biting
Consumer price growth is coming off the boil but some key essential goods and services are still painfully elevated.
economy (general)
Inflation rate eases to two-year low in welcome sign
A larger-than-expected slowdown in the inflation rate has all but assured there will be no change in interest rates at the Reserve Bank's meeting next week.
Cost of living soaring across Queensland: Report
Queenslanders are battling to meet a basic standard of living, with Brisbane leading Australia when it comes to rent, energy, insurance and health price hikes.
Changing of the guard at Future Fund puts Combet at top
Former ACTU leader and Labor minister Greg Combet is the new chair of Australia's sovereign wealth fund, replacing Liberal stalwart Peter Costello.
Albanese tax plan will give average earner $1500 tax cut – more than double Morrison’s Stage 3
A person on the average annual wage of $73,000 will get a tax cut of more than $1500 a year under Labor’s revamped tax policy – more than double the cut they’d have received under the Coalition’s legislated stage 3 plan.
Unions fear unemployment figures are hiding job losses
Though the jobless rate has held steady, thousands of Australians lost their jobs in December with many entering part-time and insecure work.
Slower-than-expected inflation lifts rate pause hopes
Surprisingly lower inflation growth has given mortgage holders renewed hope interest rates won't be lifted again in February.
Supermarkets told to pass on savings at the checkout
Supermarkets have been told to pass on savings as calls echo for the consumer watchdog to launch an inquiry into their behaviour.
Shoppers to spend almost $24b on Boxing Day sales
Australians are expected to spend big in the Boxing Day sales, the "Grand Final" of shopping around the nation which starts on Tuesday.
Clean up begins as nation stirs after New Year’s party
The New Year has dawned with hangovers from 2023 as cities and towns deal with the aftermath of huge parties around the country.
Aussie households boost savings buffer by $10 billion
Many Australians are continuing to build up the savings they set up during the pandemic and together have more than $1 trillion stashed away in the bank.
Cost of living relief on table but cash handouts vetoed
Finely-tuned government assistance could be on its way for households struggling under cost of living pressures, the prime minister says.
NZ government axes $7b in projects as forecasts worsen
New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the previous government were "economic and fiscal vandals", revealing a worsening set of economic forecasts.
consumer goods
consumer issue - macro economics
consumers
economic policy
economy (general)
road transport
transport
Transport costs accelerate by more than $900 a year
Households in some parts of Australia are paying more than $27,000 a year for transport after costs in the industry rose again.
Australia passes parcel record with Black Friday boost
A record 53.5 million parcels were processed in November following the Black Friday Sales, with more than half of households nabbing a bargain online.
computing and information technology
economy (general)
employment
it/computer sciences
job layoffs
science and technology
technology (general)
White collar staff among first to face AI wave: report
Professions likely to feel the early impact of artificial intelligence have been identified by a report that warns training must adapt to fit the technology.
Carnival Australia shuns big city port over fee hike
Popular Carnival Australia lines Princess Cruises and Cunard will no longer sail from Melbourne in 2025-26 because of a jump in port fees and charges.
Chalmers open to talks with states on GST
Ahead of a treasurers' meeting, Jim Chalmers says he will work with the states to ensure they get a fair share of goods and services tax revenue.
Shoppers spend big on Black Friday sales
Australians are tipped to spend more than $6 billion on Black Friday bargains, providing a boost to retailers grappling with a slow year of sales.
End of the road trip: Aussies drive less to save fuel
Seven in every 10 Australian motorists are driving less to avoid rising fuel prices, a new survey shows, amid widespread support for new standards.
New industrial relations law to help deliver pay rises for Early Childhood Educators
Federal Government representatives have joined the Multi-Employer Bargaining meeting for early childhood educators alongside the United Workers Union
Australia’s rental market woes go from bad to worse
Regional areas in the Sunshine State are now the most unaffordable places for renters to live, as affordable housing concerns spread beyond capital cities.
More pain for borrowers as big banks pass on rate hike
Three of Australia's biggest banks have hiked interest rates in response to the Reserve Bank's latest cash rate increase.
Photo finish looms for Melbourne Cup interest rate call
Australian borrowers could be hit with another interest rate hike at a closely run Melbourne Cup Day cash rate call.
Retail sales dig in with hotter than expected growth
The new iPhone model, government policies and unseasonably warm weather have all helped prop up retail sales ahead of a much-anticipated cash rate decision.
Strong competition as Vic economy ranked nation’s best
Economic activity, retail spending and business investment has catapulted Victoria to best performing economy in the nation but it faces stiff competition.
Auction jump ahead of expected Cup day rate hike
An expected rate hike on Melbourne Cup Day has impacted the number of homes going under the hammer, with clearance rates tipped to jump.
Xi warns against China decoupling, lauds Belt and Road
Russia's Vladimir Putin was prominent at a Beijing forum where President Xi Jinping criticised Western efforts to reduce dependence on the Chinese economy.
Broadband in the boondocks delivers big jobs boost
Households in regional and remote areas are benefiting most from faster broadband, which is also creating more jobs, according to a report.
Price-setting ‘missing’ in the inflation story: Fels
Former competition watchdog chair Allan Fels is scrutinising the connection between corporate price setting and profits and current high inflation.
Public sector reforms may spell budget blues for NSW
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey's budget figures could be in jeopardy, with interest rate rises impacting inflation in the year ahead.