Treasurer courts business with productivity promises
Helping businesses leverage clean energy and AI will transform Australia to its "fourth economy" and improve productivity growth, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says.
Helping businesses leverage clean energy and AI will transform Australia to its "fourth economy" and improve productivity growth, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says.
Markets and economists widely tip a February interest rate cut after underlying inflation came in below expectations for the December quarter.
With the stars aligned for a February interest rate cut, borrowers are now concerned with how many cuts the Reserve Bank will hand down.
Fault lines are widening between economic performance of nations and a global body warns Australia risks being left behind if it fails to improve productivity.
The strength of Australia's labour market has kept the Reserve Bank from cutting interest rates but growing evidence suggests it's not as crucial as thought.
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have launched a soft test of their pitches to voters ahead of the federal election after a week of unofficial campaigning.
Even with restrictive interest rate settings and inflation battering the economy, Australia's labour market has proved surprisingly resilient.
Hopes of a February interest rate cut have been rekindled as core inflation subsides, though the strong jobs market might prove a roadblock.
The Reserve Bank's interest rate settings are appropriate but the battle against inflation is not yet won, a check-up of Australia's economic health has found.
The federal government is expected to reveal a downgrade to its budget forecasts in its mid-year fiscal update as Australia's tax sugar-rush fades.
The Australian economy is growing slowly with government support, with energy rebates effectively transferring household spending to the public purse.
Labor has chalked up a last-minute legislative victory, with the Greens backing its housing scheme, as several MPs bid Canberra farewell.
Energy rebates have lowered Australia's headline inflation rate, but the Reserve Bank remains focused on underlying price pressures.
Australia's retail sales enjoyed a boost from an early start to Black Friday discounting and recovering bank balances following tax cuts.
Small business owners are suffering from higher levels of depression and anxiety as high costs and regulatory roadblocks spark warnings of a mass exodus.
The Reserve Bank has not gambled on a Melbourne Cup rate reduction, with punters left to ponder whether borrowers will receive a windfall before Christmas.
House and unit prices may have found new record highs but interest rate cautiousness has tempered the pace of growth.
Australia's major supermarkets say their suppliers are being hit by inflation which is trickling through to prices at the checkout.
The Australian economy should show further signs of modest growth in upcoming retail trade figures but investors will be more interested in US jobs data.
Federal energy bill relief has led to a drop in monthly inflation figures, but there are warnings the measures only caused an artificial reduction.
Lending to investors continues to lead the charge and outpace home loans taken out by owner-occupiers.
A mixed set of inflation numbers are unlikely to move the needle for the Reserve Bank as it weighs interest rates and persistent price pressures.
Higher rents are weighing heavily on Australians receiving government support payments as all households experience rising living costs.
Mortgage-holders appear to have avoided another interest rate hike, in a welcome development for the federal government with an election on the horizon.
Australia's inflation rate has clocked its first annual increase in 18 months but borrowers can breath easy as it was unlikely to trigger another rate hike.
After hitting inflation hard and early, the Bank of Canada is already cutting rates while their dovish Australian counterparts contemplate another rate hike.
A Queensland Greens plan to cap prices for essential groceries is set to save households cash at the checkout but an expert has warned it may lead to shortages.
The Reserve Bank's outlook on inflation is little changed and more data is needed to build a fuller picture of the economy, the deputy governor says.
After a long wait and much political tussling, the stage three tax cuts are finally about to come into effect - and not a moment too soon.
Surprisingly strong inflation has resurrected the possibility of another interest rate hike in an unsettling development for squeezed borrowers.
The threat of inflation has not been neutralised and the Reserve Bank is still prepared to pull the trigger on another interest rate hike if needed.