‘Softer than we thought’: RBA’s admission on inflation

5 August

Surprise inflation data, which came in lower than expected and below the central bank’s own forecasts, was due to softer fuel prices, according to the RBA’s chief economist. Figures released on Wednesday revealed headline inflation for June fell...[Read More]

EV sales, air travel drive rebound in consumer spending

5 August

Australian households show no sign of pulling back on spending despite the Middle East conflict exacerbating cost-of-living concerns. Strong growth in electric vehicle purchases and a bounce back in air travel drove a surprisingly strong 0.8 per...[Read More]

Surprise inflation drop eases chance of RBA rate hikes

29 July

Falling inflation levels have defied Reserve Bank predictions, alleviating fears another interest-rate hike is imminent. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed headline annual inflation falling to 3.8 per cent in June, down from four...[Read More]

How trust in the RBA could help keep interest rates low

22 July

As people lose faith in institutions across the globe, a report shows maintaining trust in the Reserve Bank can help keep inflation under control. A survey released by the central bank on Wednesday showed people who have higher trust in the RBA are...[Read More]

Jobs data tops economic agenda as Iran war re-escalates

22 July

Jobs data is expected to show ongoing resilience in Australia’s labour market but renewed conflict in the Middle East could bring more bad news for the domestic economy. The unemployment rate is expected to hold steady at 4.4 per cent in June...[Read More]

Trump threatens to shoot down signs of economic rebound

15 July

Just as businesses and consumers were beginning to grow more confident, a return to arms in the Middle East risks sending sentiment back to the doldrums. Business confidence climbed nine points in June, despite warnings the federal budget would...[Read More]

Inflation-fuelling supply shocks under RBA microscope

8 July

Expect to hear more from the Reserve Bank as it grapples with how to navigate a world punctuated by more frequent supply shocks due to heightened geopolitical tensions and climate change. With shocks like the Middle East oil crisis and Donald...[Read More]

Longest stretch of weak growth since 1990s forecast

8 July

Australia’s economy is set to grow below two per cent for the longest period since the early 1990s, exposing a malaise long masked by population growth, a report has warned. Rarely has the economics advisory group adopted such a downbeat...[Read More]

Strong jobs figures clock on for future rate rise shift

1 July

Stronger-than-expected jobs and spending data has bolstered the case for more rate hikes, but events overseas could stay the Reserve Bank’s hand. An extra 40,300 jobs were added to the economy in May, driving down the unemployment rate to 4.4 per...[Read More]

Weak housing market could imperil Australia’s economy

1 July

The Reserve Bank is worried Australia’s economy could be weakened by a housing market slowdown accelerated by the federal budget, a readout of its last interest rates meeting shows. The central bank’s monetary policy board voted unanimously to...[Read More]

Freefall: home prices notch biggest drop in years

1 July

Home prices have recorded the biggest monthly fall in almost four years as tax changes accelerate Australia’s housing downturn. Sydney’s median home price fell 1.2 per cent to $1,265,608 in June, leading a nationwide decline of 0.4 per cent,...[Read More]

Inflation lying in wait to strike another rate blow

24 June

Australia’s inflation pulse is strengthening despite easing prices at the fuel bowser, potentially adding to the case for another interest rate hike. A mixed consumer price report, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday, was...[Read More]

RBA keeps rates on hold but leaves door open to hikes

17 June

Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock has not ruled out hiking interest rates again if inflation keeps rising, after the bank left rates on hold for the first time in 2026. Following three consecutive rate rises, the central bank’s monetary policy...[Read More]

Officials bank on economic slump helping tame inflation

10 June

Australia’s economy is going into a slowdown, which will eventually bring inflation under control. That is the view of the Reserve Bank after officials appeared before a senate estimates hearing on Thursday, where they said a decline in momentum...[Read More]

Confidence readings punctuate lull in economic calendar

10 June

Central bankers in Australia will scrutinise consumer and business confidence figures amid a dearth of hard economic data this week. Sentiment has plummeted amongst households and employers since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict in late...[Read More]