Greens hold door open to capital gains tax reforms
Support from the Greens could hold the key to opening the door to capital gains tax changes as the government ponders reforms the opposition says it won't back.
mortgages
Reserve Bank boss calls on businesses to invest smarter
Opposition MPs have grilled Reserve Bank officials over whether government spending and monetary policy errors contributed to the first rate hike in two years.
Mortgage holders brace for hundreds more in repayments
Two incorrect assumptions have set the Reserve Bank on track for a costly U-turn on interest rates, with borrowers facing steeper repayments on their mortgages.
Borrowed time: rate hike unlikely to be one-and-done
Mortgage holders could face back-to-back rate hikes after the Reserve Bank raised interest rates amid rising inflation pressures.
Rate rise pain all but certain after inflation shock
Hotter-than-expected inflation figures have convinced analysts the Reserve Bank will lift rates as soon as next week, heaping pressure on mortgage holders.
Row over government role fuelling inflation, rate rise
Spending blow-outs by the government will force the Reserve Bank to hike rates, critics say, but the treasurer argues the private sector is driving inflation.
Healthy jobs market spells rate pain for borrowers
Upcoming inflation data will be make or break for a Reserve Bank rate hike decision following stronger than expected jobs figures, economists say.
Hot or not? Strong spending complicates rate picture
Upcoming data will give the Reserve Bank a better sense of whether higher interest rates are required to take the heat out of Australia's economy.
RBA official’s advice to borrowers over inflation data
Mortgage holders have been warned not to expect relief anytime soon with the latest inflation figures unlikely to significantly influence the RBA's thinking.
Dishing the public dosh to force RBA’s hand on rates
With the government unlikely to restrain public spending, the Reserve Bank will have to lift rates in 2026 to keep inflation under control, economists say.
Mixed employment report won’t make RBA’s job any easier
Unemployment and jobs growth figures for November tell differing stories about the strength of the labour market, providing little clarity for the Reserve Bank.
Christmas rate relief off the table at last RBA meeting
The official cash rate is expected to remain on hold when the Reserve Bank decides on interest rates for the last time in 2025.
Rate rise flagged as RBA does a Grinch with no Xmas cut
More rate relief for borrowers has essentially been ruled out by the Reserve Bank governor as the central bank mulls over when to lift rates again.
Australian economy builds as investment roars back
Australia's economic growth rate came in below market expectations, but a strong domestic pulse shows the economy is in good shape.
Splurging shoppers push economy over speed limit
The sharpest rise in household spending in 21 months suggests the economy is continuing to grow in strength, heightening Reserve Bank fears about inflation.
Loan defaults bad for business as NAB profit takes hit
Business lending is growing for NAB but so is the level of bad debt from that customer segment, pumping the brakes on profits at the big four bank.
Pre-Christmas rate relief dashed after inflation spike
All four major banks predict mortgage holders will have to wait until 2026 for rate relief after a larger-than expected inflation rise.
Sticky inflation cruels chances of interest rate relief
Borrowers face the possibility of interest rates going up rather than down again after the Reserve Bank held steady following a spike in inflation.
Rates cut back in the works as jobless figure spikes
An interest rate cut is back in the running on Melbourne Cup day as surprising unemployment figures offer borrowers hope of a home-loan victory.
Renters surprise winners from cheaper mortgage deposits
Despite predictions a five per cent deposit scheme will drive up house prices, analysts say the government policy could be good news for the nation's renters.
Blow for borrowers as Reserve Bank curbs rate-cut hopes
Crucial economic data in coming weeks could determine when mortgage holders can expect more interest rate relief, the Reserve Bank board says.
Cup Day rate cut in doubt as RBA nears final straight
The odds are lengthening on an interest rate cut on Melbourne Cup Day, as the Reserve Bank adopts a hawkish tone and inflation steps up the pace.
Life-changing or dark day: jury out on deposit scheme
An expanded government scheme to help first-home buyers clear the deposit hurdle could pour more fuel on the red-hot property market, housing experts warn.
Australia’s luck running out despite budget bright spot
Australia's budget deficit for last financial year ended up being narrower than expected but younger workers will still be on the hook for a decade of red ink.
Rate cut run may be over as inflation raises concerns
Hopes for more rate cuts are fading after the Reserve Bank of Australia took a hawkish turn as it held interest rates steady in a widely-expected move.
Housing bubble warning as deposit scheme fast-tracked
House prices could surge and mortgage defaults rise when a government scheme to help first home buyers begins ahead of schedule, experts warn.
Rates cut but borrowers told not to bank on more relief
The cash rate has been cut to its lowest level in more than two years, as the Reserve Bank resisted the temptation to wrong-foot analysts twice in two months.
Hopes RBA won’t repeat shock rates hold as board meets
The "Trumpification" of the US Federal Reserve provides an unsettling backdrop to the Reserve Bank's August meeting, where it is expected to cut interest rates.
The ‘critical’ data that could greenlight next rate cut
Economists await key quarterly data that could put the odds firmly in favour of an August interest rate cut, as the Reserve Bank sheds light on its shock hold.
‘Get on with it’: next move key with rate cut baked in
With markets all but assured the Reserve Bank board will cut interest rates at its upcoming meeting, the bigger question for traders is what they say next.
Rates hold call cuts deep but bank governor offers hope
The central bank has defied expectations of an interest rate cut as it keeps its sights on inflation and jobs figures, but relief might not be far away.