February
Bullock concedes RBA too slow to raise rates against inflation
The Reserve Bank governor said one of the reasons the board cut the cash rate this week was because it did not want to be too late to act again.
RBA’s Hauser hails ‘strong’ jobs market after employment surges 44k
RBA deputy governor Andrew Hauser says there is no bad news in fresh figures showing employment is surging, cementing forecasts interest rates will not go down again soon.
Inside the rate call that left RBA watchers puzzled
Governor Michele Bullock says the board weighed up both sides. But did the RBA deliver the first rate cut in more than four years because it should have, or because it had to?
Bullock shifts rate cut expectations after line-ball decision
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese now has just days to decide whether to call a snap election to capitalise on the RBA rate cut or delay to woo voters further.
Surprise hold? RBA decision not as certain as markets think
While investors view the first post-pandemic cut as a near certainty, economists say low unemployment and resurgent spending could keep the cash rate on pause.
If the RBA holds rates on Tuesday, this will be why
Whether Michele Bullock delivers a much-anticipated rate cut or not will hinge on how the Reserve Bank board interprets shifting signals from the jobs market.
Drum beats and politics: how RBA rate calls are really made
The Reserve Bank board has always done what it believes is right. But former senior officials say it hasn’t stopped successive governments from trying to get their way.
Costello slams Trump tariff threat on Australia over ‘unfair’ GST
The Trump administration has no grounds to punish Australia for its goods and services tax, former treasurer Peter Costello says.
CBA’s Comyn says student debt tweak helps but housing supply is key
The bank CEO was echoed by HECS architect Bruce Chapman, who said Jim Chalmers’ changes made sense but fixing home affordability required more residences.
Chalmers was told his plan would fuel black market ciggies. He did it anyway
Warnings from Treasury that soaring excise rates would force smokers to look for cheaper, illegal cigarettes have been borne out, raising crime and reducing revenue.
Chalmers instructs banks to loosen home loan rules for HECS debts
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has instructed the prudential regulator to relax how HECS is treated when banks conduct mortgage serviceability tests.
Dutton urges RBA to resist pressure to cut rates
The opposition leader says there is ‘a real concern’ that if the RBA cuts the cash rate too early, it will have to increase rates before long.
ACT risks Victoria-style downgrade as deficit blows out to $1b
S&P has told the ACT it must turn its finances around within a year or two, or else it will join Victoria as the lowest-rated Australian government.
The electorates with the most (and the fewest) EV drivers
Electric vehicle owners in affluent Labor and teal-held electorates stand to take the biggest financial hit if the government introduces a road-user charge.
Labor says tech levy doesn’t target US firms as Trump trade tsar hits out
The US trade tsar says Donald Trump is ready to fight countries imposing taxes on US tech companies, as the Labor government pushes ahead with a digital tech levy.
Chalmers flags action on EV road user charge
Jim Chalmers has told business leaders a road user charge was a tax reform that needed to be addressed, raising industry hopes it will be dealt with after the election.
Chalmers claims the jobs boom is private-sector led
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has hit back at critics who argue many of the 1.1 million extra created during the Albanese government have been underwritten by taxpayers.
Business tax breaks don’t spur investment: RBA
The RBA found company tax cuts are probably more effective than instant asset write-offs promoted by both Labor and the Coalition.
Coalition MP’s food donation tax break could cost hundreds of millions
Treasury says the proposed deduction for charitable food donations could lead to companies pocketing millions for donations already being made.
S&P threatens to downgrade states as it runs out of patience
“This is your last warning,” is the main message from the ratings agency to big-spending state governments, says a Westpac interest rate strategist.