Australian economy
Inflation surprise puts rate rise back on agenda
Rents, bread and cheese are continuing to keep inflation high. The Reserve Bank board meets next week with a rate rise back on the agenda.
- by Shane Wright
Latest
Analysis
Analysis
Lowe keeps his critics at bay in what could be his last Senate grilling
RBA governor Philip Lowe has come under fire for months. But at what might have been his last parliamentary appearance, he went out with more whimper than bang.
- by Shane Wright
Collapse in new home approvals tipped to worsen housing affordability crisis
The data comes as Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy warns the Australian economy may have already entered a weak period of growth.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
Interest rates
Catch-22 squared: The RBA’s inflated dilemma over interest rates
The Reserve Bank pushes up interest rates to quell inflation. But those higher rates can also add to inflation.
- by Shane Wright
‘One very big mistake’: Economist Ross Garnaut gives his verdict on Reserve Bank
The economist has urged the central bank to pause interest rates rises, and says it caused unnecessary unemployment and slow wages growth with its decisions last decade.
- by Madeleine Heffernan
Exclusive
Interest rates
Harry Styles our economy: How sport, singing kept us spending
Despite high inflation and interest rates, big sporting and musical events from Harry Styles to Ed Sheeran and Elton John have kept us spending.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
Federal budget
What they don’t tell you about how the budget works
We all have budgets, but the federal government’s budget ain’t like any other budget you’ve known.
- by Ross Gittins
Interest rate reality bites as consumers snap shut wallets
High inflation and high interest rates are now biting hard into consumers’ spending power. One senior economist believes rates will soon have to be cut hard.
- by Shane Wright
Exclusive
RBA
‘Sometimes what is not said is also noteworthy’: RBA keeps mum on review discussion
Minutes of the RBA board’s most recent meeting failed to mention the recently completed bank review. But the review was a talking point for board members.
- by Shane Wright
Not happy little Vegemites: food prices rising faster than inflation
Prices for breakfast staples such as dairy goods and spreads have climbed 13 per cent over the past year.
- by Shane Wright
Analysis
Retail
Brand power: Big name companies losing the reinvention race
From Tupperware to Jenny Craig, it’s been a tough year for well-known brands, but it’s not game over for those that learn to keep up with the times.
- by Emma Koehn