economy
Treasurer to tighten belt in ‘few surprises’ budget
20 March
Australia’s economic luck is running out, meaning fewer spending promises from the government ahead of the election. The federal budget will contain the smallest revenue upgrade by far in this term of government when it is released next week,...[Read More]
Economic tussle as tariffs threaten businesses on brink
20 March
Australian businesses on the brink could go bust if US tariffs become the straw that breaks the camel’s back, as economic management comes into focus ahead of the election. Businesses are already struggling to pay their trading partners due to...[Read More]
Shoppers and treasurer try to stretch budget dollar
20 March
Shoppers still feel the impact of rising prices at the supermarket despite inflation lowering, the treasurer admits. Household grocery bills have soared in recent years, with research by comparison website Finder showing grocery spending at a record...[Read More]
Coalition backs AUKUS as sub concerns rise to surface
20 March
Peter Dutton has backed in AUKUS while pledging to ensure the partnership succeeds, as critics urge Australia to change course on its plans. The support comes after former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said Australia had no guarantee it...[Read More]
Australia again makes its case for US tariffs exemption
20 March
Australia has expressed its disappointment to one of the US’s highest-ranking envoys after the government failed to secure an exemption from American-imposed tariffs. Trade Minister Don Farrell spoke with US trade representative Jamieson Greer on...[Read More]
Consumer confidence surges on back of interest rate cut
13 March
The Reserve Bank’s first rate cut since 2020 has delivered a welcome boost to the economic outlook, but Australian consumers are still more pessimistic than optimistic. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute consumer confidence survey posted a strong...[Read More]
Millions of Australians set for welfare payments boost
12 March
Millions of Australians on welfare will have their fortnightly payments boosted by small amounts under indexation changes due to kick in later this month. More than five million recipients, including pensioners, renters, and job seekers will receive...[Read More]
Leading economists call out coalition’s inflation claim
12 March
Leading economists are criticising coalition claims that inflation has doubled under Labor, saying politicians are overplaying the influence governments have over the economy. The coalition has distributed a graphic on social media stating that...[Read More]
Blueprint to get nation moving, boost household budgets
12 March
Household budgets would be bolstered and cost-of-living pressures would ease under proposed changes to the nation’s competition policy, the federal government says. Assistant Minister for Competition Andrew Leigh revealed the findings of a...[Read More]
China’s CPI falls in February adding to slowing economy
12 March
Consumer prices fell in China in February for the first time in 13 months, as persistent weak demand was compounded by the early timing of the Lunar New Year holiday. The National Bureau of Statistics reported on Sunday that the Consumer Price Index...[Read More]
Exemption denial creates uncertainty for steel sector
12 March
WHAT ARE TARIFFS AND HOW IS AUSTRALIA INVOLVED? * A tariff is a tax on a good from another country * US President Donald Trump will impose a 25 per cent tariff on all steel and aluminium imports from Wednesday afternoon Australian time * This echoes...[Read More]
Ukraine open to immediate 30-day ceasefire: statement
12 March
Ukraine has agreed to accept an immediate 30-day ceasefire in the conflict with Russia during talks with US officials in Saudi Arabia, the countries say in a joint statement. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would now take the offer to the...[Read More]
Australian economy to get pulse check, RBA minutes drop
6 March
Australia’s economic growth is expected to recover from its multi-decade lows when gross domestic product figures are revealed in the nation’s quarterly health check. The national accounts for December, due from the Australian Bureau of...[Read More]
Green shoots for economy as Australia snaps dire record
6 March
Australia’s economy has “turned a corner”, ending a record 21 months of falling living standards in an encouraging sign that there are better times ahead. Gross domestic product expanded by 0.6 per cent in the December quarter, the fastest...[Read More]
China sticks to growth target, defying tariff pressure
5 March
China has kept its economic growth target for this year unchanged at roughly 5 per cent, committing more fiscal resources than last year to fend off deflationary pressures and mitigate the impact of rising US trade tariffs. The target was included...[Read More]