Underlying inflation heading in right direction
Australia's headline inflation rate has picked up but cooling on all-important underlying price measures could open the door to interest rate cuts.
The economy
Consumer confidence has bounced higher and is expected to keep improving as rising real wages and rate cuts support household incomes.
The Australian dollar has slipped to less than 62 US cents for the first time since October 2022.
Australia's property market is entering 2025 in a downturn and while interest rate cuts should boost demand, any home price growth rebound is tipped to be mild.
The economy
Retailers’ Christmas rate cut wish as sales hold firm
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.
Update
Productivity slump worsens Australia’s deficit dilemma
Australia needs to get productivity growth back on track to pay for structural spending increases and avoid endless deficits, economists warn.
The economy
Deeper deficits as the budget returns to red ink
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.
More spending and weaker revenue hits budget bottom line in some years: Chalmers
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.
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.
