Yesterday
Labor to ban debit card payment surcharges
The Albanese government is attempting to ease financial pressure on families ahead of a federal election next year. But the change could hurt small businesses.
Election giveaways put Queensland’s credit rating at risk
There’s no such thing as a free lunch, and loose fiscal discipline in Queensland as the election approaches could lower the state’s credit rating, say analysts.
Plan to name and shame councils to force action on housing approvals
Property developers have backed a push by the Business Council of Australia to name local councils that fall behind on approving housing projects.
Wages hurt by non-compete work contracts
The government has seized on new research showing workers locked in jobs via non-compete clauses are paid 4 per cent less on average than staff who can switch jobs easier.
This Month
- Exclusive
- Australian economy
Economic agenda missing on cusp of election
Business and economic leaders have criticised political parties for failing to produce a serious economic agenda to fix weak productivity and persistent inflation.
Queensland Labor promises free school lunches in a $1.4b vote grab
Economists say the cash splash is another example of state governments making it harder for the RBA to reduce inflation and cut interest rates.
Middle East conflict bad for petrol prices, good for Chalmers’ budget
Jim Chalmers has warned households a sustained rise in the oil price from conflict in the Middle East could push up inflation.
- Opinion
- Interest rates
Why the RBA can’t cut interest rates as fast as overseas banks
The central bank has adopted a softer approach on interest rates than foreign counterparts, so local borrowers will need to be patient.
Small business hammered by rising costs
Higher costs for energy, rent, insurance and interest rates are putting small businesses under the most financial pressure in decades, a new report concludes.
No ‘secrets’ at RBA private briefings
Andrew Hauser dismissed concerns about the RBA holding private discussions with market participants, arguing it must understand what is happening in the economy.
RBA concedes $188b in cheap loans may have gone too far
The losses on the loans forced the RBA to suspend paying multibillion-dollar annual dividends to the government and plunged its balance sheet into negative equity.
- Opinion
- Interest rates
RBA should spell out rules on private meetings with market movers
The holding of confidential meetings can backfire when some people think that others are getting advantaged access to the central bank’s thinking.
- Exclusive
- RBA
RBA barred Westpac in third case of briefing leak
A suspected leak of an off-record briefing from Michele Bullock led to the bank being black-listed for 12 months.
Warm weather lifts spending on booze, gardening and camping gear
Retail sales may have finally turned a corner, as unseasonably warm weather pumped up demand for products normally bought in spring.
- Exclusive
- RBA
RBA gives RBC Capital Markets private briefing, bars bank after leak
The incident is the second off-the-record discussion between the central bank and traders that has been made public. It was held after a February rate decision.
September
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Spending pressures make third surplus unlikely
The treasurer has delivered a solid second budget surplus of $15.8 billion on the back of booming income tax receipts, but future spending pressures are emerging.
Income tax hits 25-year high in Chalmers’ surplus
The treasurer’s second budget in the black has been underwritten by the highest share of wages taxation since before the GST was introduced in 2000.
New gas projects approved, but supply buffer shrinks
Labor has approved two small gas projects in Victoria, hot on the heels of a new warning that gas supplies are shrinking.
- Analysis
- Australian economy
Albanese and Chalmers: negative gearing’s odd couple
The prime minister and the treasurer are chalk and cheese on negative gearing. Some of the differences are generational, some look more philosophical. But how will they play out as the election looms?
Donald Trump a threat to Australia’s economy: McKibbin
Long-term damage to Australian fortunes could result if the Republican nominee wins the US election and implements tariff hikes on China, new research suggests.
