‘Sustainable’: push to keep low-paid from falling back
Almost three million Australian workers are being backed to receive higher pay, but the federal government says it must be economically sustainable.
macro economics
Mortgage relief could be limited as jobs market expands
An unexpected jump in employment has led the money market to pare back its hopes for further mortgage relief after a widely expected rate cut next week.
US, China to hold ice-breaker trade talks in Geneva
Two top US officials will meet with China's top trade negotiator this weekend in the first major talks since President Donald Trump sparked a trade war.
Wary China ‘evaluating’ US offer for talks on tariffs
The US and China are locked in a cat-and-mouse game over tariffs with both sides unwilling to be seen to back down or be first to negotiate.
US wants to start tariff talks with China: state media
A Chinese state media report says the "US has proactively reached out to China" to hold discussions on tariffs.
Weary retail recovery has rate cut almost in the bag
All the smoke signals point to an interest rate cut as Australian retail spending continues to grow amid cooling consumer and producer inflation.
US economy contracts 0.3 per cent in the first quarter
US economy contracted in first quarter of 2025, the first drop in three years.
Trump uncertainty set to smash Australian economy
Australia is not following the "bouncing ball" of Donald Trump's daily shifts, the treasurer says, amid predictions of a bigger-than-expected economic hit.
Rate cut on horizon amid fears of more stock turmoil
Donald Trump's latest attack on a pillar of the global economy could renew market stress as Australian homeowners eye a supersized rate cut.
Canada’s old relationship with US ‘is over’, says PM
Canada's prime minister says his country's relationship with the United States has changed due to Donald Trump's actions on tariffs.
Sliding inflation builds hopes of interest rate cut
Another interest rate cut is firmly on the table with analysts expecting the Reserve Bank to seriously consider the move on the back of fresh inflation data.
Underlying inflation up but good news on housing, rents
Fresh inflation figures should help convince the Reserve Bank to cut rates again in May, despite a slight uptick in underlying price growth, economists say.
Coalition, Labor miss the mark on $347b spending claim
The opposition's claim Labor has added $350 billion in spending omits the impact of inflation, while Labor's response misconstrues the coalition's planned cuts.
Coalition, Labor miss the mark on $347b spending claim
The opposition's claim Labor has added $350 billion in spending omits the impact of inflation, while Labor's response misconstrues the coalition's planned cuts.
Ballooning capital works blamed for budget blowout
A state will be in the red for some years as its government flags swelling infrastructure costs, as the opposition warns of the risk of potential spending cuts.
Australia’s bullet-proof jobs market put to the test
Even with restrictive interest rate settings and inflation battering the economy, Australia's labour market has proved surprisingly resilient.
RBA says rate cuts coming soon, IMF warns on inflation
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.
‘Surprise’ budget windfalls drying up, economists warn
Australia's budget fortunes are shifting, with Deloitte Access Economics predicting a deeper deficit than predicted in the May budget.
Top bank chief reveals why rates are still on hold
Australia's top central banker reveals why she still hasn't pulled the trigger on interest rate cuts despite similar countries already taking action.
‘No doubt’ inflation is moderating: finance minister
Much is riding on quarterly inflation data out next week as Australia's slow progress by international standards has Labor defending its economic record.
Stage three tax cut spending spree yet to surface
Fans splashed out on footy finals in an otherwise slow month for consumer spending, which is yet to show a bounce from tax cuts that came into effect in July.
Slow economic growth set to continue into 2025
While there may be a slow uptick in economic growth in the near future, it will remain subdued into the 2025, a survey has predicted.
Retail sales to show economy continues to sputter along
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.
Bigger budget surplus not ‘an end in itself’
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says a better-than-expected $15.8 billion budget surplus doesn't mean cost-of-living measures have been forgotten.
RBA governor warns rate cuts not on near-term agenda
The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept interest rates steady and tempered expectations of imminent cuts, warning inflation remains "too high".
As Canada cuts rates, RBA doves come home to roost
After hitting inflation hard and early, the Bank of Canada is already cutting rates while their dovish Australian counterparts contemplate another rate hike.
No budget ‘cash splash’ as inflation still main game
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has managed expectations for cost of living relief ahead of the May budget and played down the possibility of a sizeable second surplus.
WA ranked first, Vic last on economic performance: IPA
A new report has ranked states on their performance across 10 economic indicators, crowning WA as the nation's best performer while Victoria came last.
Coles faces competitive pressure from online retailers
The head of one of Australia's two big supermarkets says the sector is becoming increasingly competitive and online retailers are part of the story.
Economy unlikely to have contracted but growth muted
The Australian economy looks to have narrowly missed a quarter in decline based on economic indicators released ahead of official growth figures.
China growth shows economic recovery gaining traction
Faster growth in China's economy than expected over the third quarter suggests a recent flurry of policy measures is helping to bolster a tentative recovery.