This Month
Ageing Australia to lean on millions more migrants: Treasury
The population is forecast to hit 31 million in a decade, as younger migrants pay for the increasing number of older people in aged care and the health system.
- Opinion
- Interest rates
Why RBA rate cut could come from Jim Chalmers’ subsidies
There is a quirk in the measurement of underlying inflation in the December quarter that may put pressure on the RBA to cut interest rates early next year.
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Labor is losing control of a broken budget
Despite near-record government revenues, a spending surge is causing a big blowout in budget deficits over future years.
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
Credible appointments will improve Reserve Bank board
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has selected two good candidates and should be congratulated for shoring up the RBA at a pivotal time in the inflation fight.
Chalmers brings former bank CEO, economist on board in RBA overhaul
The appointment of ANU professor Renée Fry-McKibbin and former Bendigo Bank boss Marnie Baker sets the scene for the biggest shake-up of the central bank in decades.
- Updated
RBA could accept lower unemployment without inflation risk: economists
Others warn the jobs market may now be running too hot, and a longer period of elevated interest rates will be required.
‘Bye-bye’ February rate cut as unemployment rate falls to 3.9pc
More than 35,000 people found jobs in November, pushing the unemployment rate below 4 per cent for the first time since March.
- Updated
Trump trade war would be felt in Australia, RBA says
Tariffs would have very little impact on the Australian economy, but there are bigger risks from any US-China trade war, Reserve Bank deputy governor Andrew Hauser says.
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Australia needs a dose of Javier Milei’s Argentine capitalism
Australia is sleepwalking to stagnant living standards unless we adopt an agenda that restrains government and allows the private sector to flourish.
- Opinion
- Interest rates
Dovish turn as RBA gains confidence in inflation fight
The Reserve Bank board has noticed that parts of the economy such as consumer spending and wage growth have been a bit softer than anticipated.
- Opinion
- Victorian budget
Victoria’s economic rescue plan is a joke but no one is laughing
The state’s new strategy resembles a political document drawn up in an episode of Utopia rather than a serious economic blueprint to revive the state.
APRA winds down $43b bank hybrid market, angering investors
The prudential regulator says other forms of capital are safer and make it easier for issuers to respond to future crises without bailing in retail investors.
- Updated
- Exclusive
- Trade wars
Trump tariffs ‘not too disruptive’, Goldman’s top economist predicts
He expects the US president-elect’s slug on imports will be smaller than threatened, but warns they would hit growth hard if fully implemented.
Public sector jobs surge props up economy
Employment in the public sector is growing at double the pace of the private sector.
- Analysis
- Australian economy
Australia’s economic problems have been brewing for years
We are in the most prolonged downturn since the 1991 recession. It’s time for a treasurer to do something about it.
- Exclusive
- Australian economy
Australia is now an economic ‘problem child’: McKinsey
Business investment is at recession levels as the country’s productivity growth slumps to 30th out of 35 rich countries, says a new report.
You’re part of the growth problem, business leaders tell Chalmers
The bosses of BHP and Wesfarmers have called on Labor to overhaul the uncompetitive tax system and reverse changes to IR laws if it wants a private sector recovery.
CBA hires Treasury deputy as chief economist
Luke Yeaman is the latest hire for the big banks out of the government department or the Reserve Bank of Australia.
- Opinion
- Australian economy
No amount of lipstick on this pig can hide the economic stagnation
The national accounts make grim reading and are indisputably worse than expected.
- Updated
CBA backs down on withdrawal fee after Chalmers leans on Comyn
Treasurer Jim Chalmers had called the $3 charge for branch withdrawals “unacceptable”. Australia’s largest bank reconsidered.