One-two punch for small business as card-ban row flares
Businesses are deciding whether to absorb card payment fees or pass the costs on as a ban on surcharges starts, but one government agency has another solution.
macro economics
Crisis • Resilience • Evolution — Building a Tourism Economy for a Shared Future
MACAO, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- How does the global tourism economy turn its scale and reach into a force for lasting transformation? The 12th Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) will return to its founding city Macao, China, from 15 to 17 October 2026. Bringing together political and business leaders, academic elites, and representatives from international organisations across five continents, the Forum will revolve around the theme...
Middle East or money-wasters: inflation mud-fight grows
Labor and the coalition are duelling over why Australians now have to fork out more on their mortgages every month.
More pain brews for borrowers as rates hit 15-year high
The Reserve Bank's decision to lift the cash rate to 4.6 per cent was unanimous, but economists are divided on whether borrowers can expect more hikes.
Baby bonus not on the cards to halt fertility freefall
Deaths will outnumber births in Australia by 2066, leaving fewer young workers to sustain an ageing population as women face choosing between career and family.
Older, sicker: life-expectancy boost poses health test
Australians can expect to live well into their 80s within four decades, but an aging population will pose increasing challenges for governments.
Soft landing botched: IMF backs more rate rises
The Reserve Bank should "stand ready" to raise interest rates again, as the Middle East war and poor productivity growth make it harder to get inflation down.
Australians are ‘furious’ about inflation: RBA deputy
The Reserve Bank's deputy governor Andrew Hauser says Australians are fed up with higher living costs, and want inflation to be brought under control.
Cold start to nation’s normally hot home sales season
The property market is yet to shake off its winter chill as capital cities reported fewer auctions in the first week of the normally busy spring sales season.
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.
Officials bank on economic slump helping tame inflation
Australia is not experiencing stagflation but higher interest rates will help cool the economy and inflation, the nation's top bank official says.
Rates revelation: why RBA dissenter voted against hike
The lone Reserve Bank board member who voted against lifting the cash rate in May was less concerned about inflation expectations than the bank's economists.
Top forecaster’s dire prediction if Iran war drags on
Australia could enter a recession, with the Reserve Bank raising interest rates a further three times, economists warn as fears of a protracted conflict mount.
central bank
economy, business and finance
inflation and deflation
interest rate
macro economics
tariff
unemployment
Complacency risk for economy as tariff wars re-emerge
A deterioration in the job market could spare Australian borrowers interest rate hikes in 2026, an economist says.
Self-interest widening wealth gap between old and young
Bridging the gap in wealth between older and young Australians will require a major recalibration in housing attitudes and policies, a leading economist says.
Plea for spending cuts as banks tip interest rate hikes
Half of Australia's big four banks are tipping the Reserve Bank to hike interest rates at its next meeting as inflation is pushed outside the target zone.
Divided US central bank cuts rate, signals pause
The US central bank has reduced its key interest rate for the third time in a row but signalled that it may leave rates unchanged in the coming months.
US posts solid jobs data in September, unemployment up
US employers added a surprisingly solid 119,000 jobs in September, the Labor Department says.
international (foreign) trade
international relations
macro economics
metal and mineral
politics (general)
tariff
trade dispute
Trump vows to reach a ‘fantastic deal’ with China’s Xi
US President Donald Trump says he's aiming for a breakthrough in planned talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
Rate cut hopes dim as power bill shock sparks inflation
Borrowers hoping for a second straight interest rate cut have been dealt a blow after a surge in electricity prices drove inflation unexpectedly higher.
Treasurer mulls making tax fairer for young Australians
Australia's "unfair" tax system has created a situation where retirees can earn the same income as working households, but pay less than half the tax.
Jigsaw coming together for further interest rate relief
A soft inflation print and surprisingly strong retail sales paint a rosy picture of the Australian economy ahead of a key Reserve Bank rate meeting.
Online shopping rebounds as rate cut talk opens wallets
Australians are spending more online as inflation eases and interest rate cuts seem more likely following a lean period, especially for some home-buyers.
economic indicator
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
employment
labor market
macro economics
politics (general)
Nation on notice as signs point to growing jobless rate
Australians are being warned about possible further rises in unemployment after a shock jobless rate jump that has strengthened the case to cut interest rates.
economic indicator
economy, business and finance
inflation and deflation
interest rate
macro economics
statistic
Spotlight on inflation as state treasurers come clean
Monthly inflation data and state budget updates are set to dominate the economic agenda and shape the Reserve Bank's next cash rate call.
business (general)
consumer confidence
economic indicator
economy, business and finance
macro economics
statistic
Businesses and consumers caught between opposing forces
Falling interest rates are not buoying the spirits of households and firms as fast as hoped, as global economic uncertainty keeps a lid on sentiment.
Productivity pickle a top priority for upbeat treasurer
Falling interest rates and Australia's competitive advantages are reasons for optimism, says the treasurer as he sets his sights on improving productivity.
economy, business and finance
exports
international (foreign) trade
iron and steel
macro economics
politics
tariff
trade dispute
trade policy
US tariffs on Australia ‘not what you do to a friend’
Australia has been urged to assertively lobby Donald Trump against a plan to hike tariffs on steel imports, as Labor aims to maintain a calm approach.
Price moves to help RBA plot course through uncertainty
Australia's central bank will seek signs of stability as it tries to chart a course to lower interest rates through the murky waters of global uncertainty.
Trump threatens new EU tariffs, reigniting trade fears
Describing EU trade talks as "going nowhere", US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 50 per cent tariff.
‘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.