Inflation gloom prevails despite budget bright spot
Australia's deficit for the past financial year will be smaller than expected, but rising interest rates and stubborn inflation give little cause to celebrate.
interest rate
Bad news comes in twos: cash rate and CPI set to rise
Australian mortgage holders can expect more borrowing pain when the Reserve Bank board meets, with an interest rate hike almost universally anticipated.
Labour pains: jobs market too hot for inflation fight
Australia's labour market is still tight and the unemployment rate likely needs to go up to ease persistent pressure on inflation, Michele Bullock says.
Jobs data last piece in puzzle for Reserve Bank board
Unemployment data is not expected to deter the Reserve Bank from hiking interest rates for a fourth time in 2026 when it meets later in September.
Fed hikes rates, defying Trump’s demands
Just months after being selected by President Trump with an expectation that he would cut rates, US Federal Reserve chief Kevin Warsh has hiked them.
Motorists warned to buckle up for higher fuel prices
One of Australia's peak motoring bodies has stopped short of calling for a fuel excise cut but believes all options should be on the table as oil prices spike.
Reserve Bank’s grim rates warning as oil prices spike
The war in the Middle East is threatening to push oil prices back above the crucial $US100 a barrel mark and make inflation even harder to get back to target.
Surprise GDP data ‘final green light’ for rate hike
Data centre investment and electric vehicle purchases are making it harder for the Reserve Bank to get inflation down as the likelihood of a rate rise firms.
Banks tip more hikes as spending surge adds to RBA woes
Three out of the four big banks are tipping the Reserve Bank to raise interest rates by November, with one forecasting a hike in a matter of weeks.
Treasurer tips housing growth despite investor slump
A collapse in property investor lending since the federal budget is good for the economy in the long term, the boss of the nation's biggest bank says.
‘Hawkish’ RBA open to more hikes after holding rates
Borrowers are on notice with the Reserve Bank signalling it won't shy away from raising interest rates if inflation comes in higher than forecast.
Surprise inflation drop eases chance of RBA rate hikes
Inflation figures have come in under the Reserve Bank's predictions, but some economists warn they might not paint a true picture.
Surprise jobs jump gives RBA room to raise rates
A larger-than expected rise in employment will not ease Reserve Bank fears about inflation as rising oil prices compound cost pressures.
Jobs data tops economic agenda as Iran war re-escalates
Resilient jobs data is a bright spot for Australia's economy but the longer the Middle East conflict drags on, the worse the prospect for growth and inflation.
construction and property
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real estate
Freefall: home prices notch biggest drop in years
Australia's housing market is undergoing a broad-based downturn with interest rate rises and affordability pressures denting investor confidence.
Home price data another window into tax change fallout
Property market data will soon be released after the Reserve Bank unveils a readout from its latest interest rate-setting board meeting.
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economy, business and finance
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inflation and deflation
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labor market
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Strong jobs figures clock on for future rate rise shift
More than 40,000 jobs have been added to Australia's economy to exceed expectations, but slowing growth could ease the Reserve Bank's inflation fears.
Oil and milk prices to spill the tea on inflation story
The Australian Bureau of Statistics will this week release inflation and employment figures for May and a senior Reserve Bank official will speak.
Buyer blow as rising rates offset dip in home prices
Despite property prices falling, the annual income required to afford a median house has risen by thousands of dollars in Sydney and Melbourne since January.
Slowing economy could shut the door on more rate hikes
Stagnant productivity means households face higher inflation and lower living standards but the treasurer hopes cheaper housing will ward off voter discontent.
RBA keeps rates on hold but leaves door open to hikes
Economists are split on whether the Reserve Bank's latest cash rate decision heralds the end of the hiking cycle or merely a pause before the next move upwards.
Reserve Bank meets with rates tipped to stay on hold
Borrowers can finally expect relief from quickfire interest rate rises with the Reserve Bank poised to maintain the status quo for the first time in 2026.
Relief likely as Reserve Bank tipped to hold cash rate
The Reserve Bank is widely tipped to leave interest rates on hold for the first time this year despite inflation still being above target levels.
Big bank changes RBA rate call as cost pressures ease
Slowing economic activity and softer price growth could convince the Reserve Bank to keep rates on hold, with inflation pressures weaker than initially feared.
GDP data tops the economic agenda, RBA officials speak
Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock will get a chance to react to Wednesday's economic growth figures when she fronts a parliamentary hearing in Canberra.
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Falling fuel prices bolster hopes for RBA rate reprieve
A cut in the fuel excise caused annual headline inflation to fall, but the underlying impulse for price pressures is still gathering steam.
Temporary fall in inflation won’t ease RBA fears
A short-lived reduction in the fuel excise has provided some momentary price relief but inflation will only worsen without a resolution to supply blockages.
budgets and budgeting
construction and property
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interest rate
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state budget and tax
Middle ring could be ‘hollowed out’ by tax overhaul
Tax changes in the federal budget will likely shift property investors to new houses in the outer suburbs and inner-city apartments, economists say.
budgets and budgeting
economic policy
economy, business and finance
inflation and deflation
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Budget spending stokes fears of further rate rise pain
An extra $114 billion in federal government spending will be directed off-budget as the treasurer claims a "historically responsible" fiscal update.
Last-minute budget pitch to ‘level field’ for young
Labor has made a pre-budget pitch to young Australians on social media as the government shakes up the tax system to help more people buy homes.
Federal budget to dominate the economic agenda
The government will do well to resist spending a "tantalising" budget windfall, as boosting demand while supply is constrained could result in more rate hikes.