Today
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Our one-trick pony economy can’t keep behaving like this
Population, employment, and government spending are growing faster than the economy can absorb. It is the spending that has to give for a while.
- Tony Shepherd
IMF puts Chalmers on notice over rates, super tax and spending
In its annual health check of Australia’s economy, the International Monetary Fund said more unexpected expenditure rises will force the RBA to keep rates high.
- Michael Read
Yesterday
Labor targets supermarket ‘shrinkflation’
Changes to unit pricing rules have been designed to help consumers avoid a hidden form of inflation.
- Tom McIlroy
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Why investment legend Chris Mackay says ‘it’s a dangerous time’
The MFF Capital Investments boss and Magellan co-founder says the “everything rally” is likely to reverse, but calm, long-term investors can fight through the noise.
- James Thomson
This Month
Debt hits seven-year low before decade of deficits
Federal government net debt has fallen to its lowest level since 2017, but economists say the coming decade of deficits will send borrowing levels higher.
- Michael Read
September
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
The ‘everything bubble’ is back. Here are five dangers to watch
Thanks to the Fed and China, markets are back at the levels reached during the 2021 frenzy. But it might not take much for investors to let a little air out.
- James Thomson
Fed’s favoured inflation gauge, consumer spending edge higher
The so-called core personal consumption expenditures price index, which excludes volatile food and energy items, increased 0.1 per cent from July.
- Matthew Boesler
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Inflation makes or breaks this year’s Power list
The power rankings reveal the splintering of traditional political power in a two-party system that is emerging alongside the economic strains.
- The AFR View
NDIS cost blowout adds to inflation and rates pressure
A blowout in government spending on the $49 billion National Disability Insurance Scheme is adding to inflation pressures, economists say.
- John Kehoe
Rate cuts may trigger unsustainable property price boom: RBA
Falling interest rates could lead to a rising market that encourages households to take on too much debt, raising the risk of a damaging downturn, the bank warns.
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- Negative gearing
Why Labor seems to be flirting with housing tax breaks again
The real story is that the government is desperately looking for a way out of the political dead end that has stalled any momentum in its drive to an election.
- Jennifer Hewett
Electricity bills to surge 47pc next year as government support ends
The Albanese government has hinted it could extend the federal government’s $300 electricity bill rebate to avoid a sharp rise in out-of-pocket energy costs.
- Updated
- Michael Read
Bond markets too punchy on RBA rate cuts, say investors
Fund managers say traders have overblown the comments from governor Michele Bullock and are siding with the central bank on the rate outlook.
- Cecile Lefort
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Government spending blowout is the size of the mining boom
Like the mining investment boom of the early 2000s, the economic shock from higher government spending will have implications for inflation, productivity and interest rates.
- John Kehoe
Inflation cools; PM targets negative gearing; Macquarie fined
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Woolworths, Coles price manipulation claims come at tough time for BCA
Liberal and Labor MPs say that the claims against the supermarkets undermine corporate Australia’s efforts to position itself as a critical plank of prosperity.
- Tom McIlroy
Inflation to hit three-year low, but don’t expect a rate cut: Bullock
Michele Bullock says she will ignore data on Wednesday that is likely to show inflation back in target band, warning government energy rebates will not bring forward a rate cut.
- Updated
- Michael Read
Kashkari backs two more Fed rate cuts
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis president Neel Kashkari says he expects two more quarter-point rate cuts from the Fed this year.
- Catarina Saraiva
Government spending to hit record, delaying rate cuts
Westpac estimates state and federal government spending will hit 28 per cent of GDP by the end of 2025, up from the pre-pandemic average of about 22.5 per cent.
- Michael Read
‘Greens are out of control’: RBA reform dead as Labor rejects demands
Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ plan to create a specialist monetary policy board at the Reserve Bank is dead after the government ruled out working with the Greens.
- Updated
- Michael Read