economy
Oliver’s Insights – Nine key longer term consequences of the US/Israeli war with Iran
16 April
Key points Uncertainty remains high over the US/Iran War with a ceasefire declared but no agreement in talks so far. Tensions continue to remain high and oil flows remain restricted, with Trump announcing his own blockade on the Strait of...[Read More]
‘We won’t be spared’: inflation warning to Australia
16 April
The treasurer is jetting to the United States for talks as the International Monetary Fund warns Australia is is projected to have one of the highest inflation rates as the Middle East conflict threatens a global recession. Jim Chalmers will head to...[Read More]
Spoils of Iran war to deliver Chalmers a budget boost
16 April
The Iran war is set to deliver a $36 billion windfall for Treasurer Jim Chalmers, but increased spending on cost-of-living measures could derail efforts to get the budget back in black. Even with a fragile ceasefire holding in the Middle East, the...[Read More]
RBA’s stagflation nightmare: prices up, confidence down
16 April
The Reserve Bank board will have to earn its money to navigate Australia through a “nightmare” stagflation shock, a top central bank official says as confidence tanks and prices soar. The RBA was still “feeling its way” through the energy...[Read More]
All options on table in drive to shore up fuel supply
16 April
Australia has avoided disruption to its international fuel supplies but that won’t stop the government considering all options to shore up provisions, including extracting more oil and gas. Fifty-seven ships laden with crude oil, jet fuel, diesel...[Read More]
Australia faces ‘sharp recession’ if US escalates war
9 April
US President Donald Trump’s threat to send Iran “back to the Stone Ages” has rattled equity markets. If he follows through, Australia is at risk of entering a recession. In a prolonged war scenario, modelled by Oxford Economics Australia, the...[Read More]
War puts world on road to higher prices, slower growth
9 April
The war in the Middle East will lead to higher inflation and slower global growth, says the head of the International Monetary Fund ahead of next week’s global forecast for the world economy. The war has triggered the worst-ever disruption...[Read More]
The RBA conflict that could decide its next rates call
2 April
A conflict at the heart of the Reserve Bank’s mandate could determine the outcome of its next interest rates decision. Minutes from the central bank’s March meeting published on Tuesday revealed a split between the five members who voted for a...[Read More]
CBA ups inflation prediction as supply chains strain
2 April
Economists at Australia’s largest lender have issued a dire warning for consumers, forecasting inflation to scale new heights as hopes of a quick resolution to the Iran war fade. The Commonwealth Bank (CBA) expects headline inflation to peak at...[Read More]
Major capital home prices slip in two-speed market
2 April
Australia’s two largest property markets could be entering a downturn as rising inflation and interest rates squeeze prospective buyers. But while the Middle East conflict will take some steam out of price growth, Australia’s chronic undersupply...[Read More]
Calm before storm: RBA braces for spikes and hikes
26 March
A slight easing in Australia’s headline inflation rate before the Iran war will do little to ease the Reserve Bank’s fears, as economists expect price growth to bounce back with a vengeance in March. Consumer prices rose 3.7 per cent in the 12...[Read More]
Three more rate hikes tipped as prices begin to rise
26 March
Mortgage holders could face as many as three interest rate hikes by Christmas, according to money markets, as concerns mount over the Iran war’s impact on inflation. Rates traders upped their predictions on Friday, pricing in almost 75 more basis...[Read More]
Spike in jobless rate unlikely to end RBA hiking cycle
26 March
Noisy jobs data has revealed a tight labour market, giving the Reserve Bank the green light to further hike interest rates despite a spike in unemployment. The jobless rate jumped to 4.3 per cent in February, despite almost 50,000 more people...[Read More]
Treasurer softens up voters for ‘hard decisions’ on tax
26 March
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is willing to anger older Australians to make the tax system fairer for younger generations. But he admitted productivity growth would take longer to recover than previously thought during a major pre-budget address to a...[Read More]
Unions urge five per cent pay rise as inflation bites
25 March
Nearly three million low-paid workers would receive thousands more in annual wages under a union push for a five per cent pay rise. The ACTU will ask industrial umpire the Fair Work Commission to increase the minimum wage to $26.19 per hour, up from...[Read More]