Australia’s inflation battle risks further rate rises
Improved economic growth has been forecast in a check-up of Australia's economic health, but there are risks inflation and interest rates could yet rise.
The economy
Shoppers are increasingly targeting discounts to snare a bargain as retailers hold out hope for a February rate cut to boost spending outside of sales season.
Australia needs to get productivity growth back on track to pay for structural spending increases and avoid endless deficits, economists warn.
Australia's budget deficits are set to widen due to growing spending and falling tax, despite a better-than-expected forecast for the current financial year.
The economy
Spending up, revenue down in weakening budget
More spending and weaker revenue hits budget bottom line in some years: Chalmers
The economy
Veteran payments blowout puts further strain on budget
Clearing a backlog of claims by veterans will hit the budget bottom line by an extra $1.8 billion in payments, the federal treasurer has revealed.
Update
Odds of a rate cut dip as more Australians find jobs
More than 35,000 jobs were added to the economy in November, exceeding expectations, as the jobless rate fell to 3.9 per cent.
The wait goes on for home owners sweating on an interest rate cut but the Reserve Bank hints long-awaited mortgage relief is getting closer.
The opposition says excessive government spending is trashing the economy, but Labor says coalition cuts would just make it harder for households.
The Australian economy grew 0.3 per cent in the three months to September and 0.8 per cent through the year, below expectations.
Australia's budget is expected to be $20 billion worse off than initially forecast under numbers run by an independent economist.
New data is expected to show the national economy continues to be sluggish, in line with Treasurer Jim Chalmers' warning in parliament last month.
Australia's top central banker reveals why she still hasn't pulled the trigger on interest rate cuts despite similar countries already taking action.
Energy rebates have lowered Australia's headline inflation rate, but the Reserve Bank remains focused on underlying price pressures.
Australia's budget fortunes are shifting, with Deloitte Access Economics predicting a deeper deficit than predicted in the May budget.
Falling iron ore prices and a weaker labour market will weigh on this year's revenue upgrades, the federal treasurer says.
The generational spending gap is not going anywhere despite cheaper petrol, power and other essential items as younger people continue to tighten their belts.
Donald Trump isn't even at the APEC economic summit where his comments on trade tariffs are worrying leaders, but one envoy says speculation isn't helpful.
Roughly 15,900 jobs were added to the economy last month, falling short of expectations, as the jobless rate remained steady at 4.1 per cent.
