We’re headed for 31 million in next decade
Our population is projected to rise to 31.3 million by 2035, Treasury has forecast, with stronger-than-expected net overseas migration resulting in a larger Australia than previously expected.
Economics
Five enduring lessons for business going into 2025
Sometimes good, but more often bad, Australian business is never short of generating hard-won lessons. The past year delivered plenty. Will we ever learn?
Energy and resource exports set to tumble in grim outlook
The value of Australian energy and resource exports will tumble, heightening pressure on the country’s $2.5 trillion economy and darkening Labor’s election prospects.
JobKeeper helped workers but hurt output
Billions in pandemic-era stimulus may be partly to blame for Australia’s recent sluggish productivity performance, with the former Coalition government response helping to shield jobs but tying workers to substandard businesses.
The next big Fed debate: Has the era of very low rates ended?
Fed officials are trying to figure out the just-right interest rate. Some think they might already be close to that destination.
Personal insolvencies to soar in 2025 as rental crisis bites
The Australian Financial Security Authority expects a significant surge in the number of personal insolvencies lodged during the next 18 months.
Economy’s in ‘reasonable’ shape but customers hurting: NAB
The boss of one of Australia’s largest banks says the Australian economy is OK and businesses are optimistic but he concedes many customers are being hammered by restrictive interest rates.
In their own words: top CEOs answer the big questions
From the economy, geopolitics to even working from home, see what Australia’s business leaders told the CEO Survey 2025.
Jim Chalmers gives in to his pre-election splurges
The mid-year economic and fiscal outlook shows an improvement in the 2024-25 budget bottom line will give way to deficits totalling $143.9bn to 2027-28 — $22bn more than initially projected.
The worrying warning sign behind Chalmers’ budget update
The commodity super-cycle is rapidly coming to an end, and Australia’s finances are nowhere near ready for this moment.
‘Unfinished business’: Chalmers to press on with super tax hike
Superannuation tax concessions are expected to cost the federal budget more than $55bn this financial year, as Jim Chalmers vows to push ahead and legislate Labor’s tax hike on high-balance nest eggs.
Ex-Nine CEO is the media change agent the ABC needs
If former Nine boss Hugh Marks can manage the ABC’s cultural maze, the broadcaster will emerge as an entirely different organisation.
Younger Aussies rein in their Christmas spending, trim travel plans
Australians under the age of 45 are reining in Christmas spending in the midst of the cost-of-living crisis but people are still prioritising somewhat trimmed travel.
RBA’s new monetary policy board needs to prove its worth
The board changes suggest Treasurer Jim Chalmers has opted for tinkering rather than a complete overhaul.
Dollar’s wild ride shows risks of playing with RBA fire
Jim Chalmers’ big shake-up of the central bank is a convenient distraction but unlikely to change the path of interest rates.
Why the fight against scams just got serious
All banks are now on the hook as the corporate regulator asks ‘how much is enough’ when it comes to protecting customers.
Academic and banker to join policy board
The Treasurer has appointed distinguished economics professor Renee Fry-McKibbin and former Bendigo Bank boss Marnie Baker to the Reserve Bank’s new rate-setting board as part of the new-look central bank structure.
All eyes on Jim as PM seeks an economic fix
Jim Chalmers’s luck has run out, as Anthony Albanese turns to him to reverse the government’s fortunes and get it back on-message months out from a tight federal election.
Inside new Westpac CEO’s plan to rebuild the bank
Taking the reins of Westpac on Monday, one of Anthony Miller’s first tasks will be to visit call centre staff – who are the eyes and ears of the banking giant and hear exactly how customers feel.
Deficit to grow in mid-year budget update
Economists have warned Jim Chalmers it is already too late to offset the ballooning budget deficit as the prospect of a federal election looms.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/economics/page/8