Fading economy yet to unlock rate cuts for watchful RBA
The economy might be slowing but the Reserve Bank chief wants inflation to moderate further before opening the door to interest rate cuts.
prices
Beware of economic ‘false prophets’, warns Reserve Bank
Reserve Bank deputy governor Andrew Hauser says projecting future movements in the economy is inherently uncertain and overconfidence is a red flag.
Price cuts may recharge Aussie electric vehicle market
Some of Australia's biggest electric vehicle brands have cut the price of their models, with one setting a record cost for low-emission cars.
Door swings shut on rate rise following inflation data
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.
‘Painful squeeze’: inflation spike renews heat on rates
Surprisingly strong inflation has resurrected the possibility of another interest rate hike in an unsettling development for squeezed borrowers.
Slower US consumer price growth boosts rate cut hopes
Expectations for an interest rate cut in 2024 have been given a boost by US consumer prices increasing less than expected in April.
Groceries inquiry backs breaking up major supermarkets
Supermarket price gouging should be illegal and there must be laws to break up major retailers that abuse their market power, a Senate committee has found.
Crowds shell out for seafood as Easter egg prices crack
Australians have flocked to fish markets for the traditional Good Friday shopping spree but cheaper species are expected to be high on the menu this year.
Prices ease but insurance and housing are still biting
Consumer price growth is coming off the boil but some key essential goods and services are still painfully elevated.
Inflation rate eases to two-year low in welcome sign
A larger-than-expected slowdown in the inflation rate has all but assured there will be no change in interest rates at the Reserve Bank's meeting next week.
Slower-than-expected inflation lifts rate pause hopes
Surprisingly lower inflation growth has given mortgage holders renewed hope interest rates won't be lifted again in February.
Ham over fist, supermarkets face a grilling over prices
Christmas ham has become a political issue with a minister urging supermarkets to freeze its prices as the major chains face an inquiry into price gouging.
Photo finish looms for Melbourne Cup interest rate call
Australian borrowers could be hit with another interest rate hike at a closely run Melbourne Cup Day cash rate call.
Surging demand for social housing as homelessness soars
Demand is soaring for housing assistance in Queensland with homelessness on the rise amid a cost of living crisis, the peak social service body warns.
Price-setting ‘missing’ in the inflation story: Fels
Former competition watchdog chair Allan Fels is scrutinising the connection between corporate price setting and profits and current high inflation.
Sky-high airfares on the radar to meet emission targets
Net-zero emission targets may ramp up the price of plane tickets as airlines face accusations of wasting capacity, putting an artificial cap on demand.
Cooling inflation could keep interest rates on ice
A solid slowdown in the inflation rate could be enough to convince the Reserve Bank to keep interest rates on hold for a second consecutive month.
New houses drive uptick in dwelling approvals
Sign-off on private sector dwellings has lifted modestly and home prices appear to have found a floor - at least for the moment.
Migration, high rents put brakes on sliding home prices
Home prices nationally have ticked up in March after tracking lower for 10 straight months, with high rents and migration both helping to arrest the slide.
economy (general)
food - consumer goods
housing and urban planning
indigenous people
politics (general)
poverty
prices
torres strait
Premier acts on Torres Strait cost-of-living summit
A Torres Strait Islands cost-of-living summit looking at how to ease soaring basic food prices, particularly on outer islands, will be held on March 20.
Rent freeze needed for ‘cooked’ NSW housing, say Greens
The NSW Greens say the rental market leaves millions of people feeling like second class citizens and an independent body is needed to fix the sector.
The chips are down for pubs this summer
The cost of a humble pub meal could be on the way up due to a nationwide potato shortage caused by poor weather and supply chain issues.
Households cashed up for rates rise: RBA
Most households except recent first-home buyers have enough savings to cope with rising interest rates, which the ANZ tips to reach three per cent this year.
Australian home values top $10 trillion
The value of Australia's residential housing stock has topped $10 trillion for the first time, Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows.
Lettuce prices expected to ease soon
A major lettuce producer says the cost of the leafy vegetable should ease soon, although consumers are being warned that produce prices will remain high.
NSW to help with soaring electricity bills
In a welcome relief, the NSW government will help households that can't keep up with a spike in electricity bills, funding a maximum of $1600 a year.
Milking it: Food prices rising fastest since 2001
The latest quarterly consumer price index shows food prices have experienced their largest inflation rise in more than 10 years.