Consumer confidence plunges to worst level since 1990s
There's "no end in sight" for Australian consumers stuck in a "cost-of-living nightmare" as rising interest rates and fuel prices squeeze household budgets.
The economy
Farmers are already thinning their herds and varying planting rotations as they brace for lower rainfall driven by a harsh El Nino period.
Australia's headline inflation rate has a four in front of it again after a huge spike in fuel prices.
The Reserve Bank has lifted interest rates for a fourth time in 2026, inflicting more financial pain on mortgage holders.
The economy
Stronger budget little comfort as rate hike looms
Australia's deficit for the past financial year is smaller than expected, but rising interest rates and stubborn inflation give little cause to celebrate.
The economy
Businesses scramble for staff as migration cuts loom
Hospitality employers say the government is cutting the sector off at the knees with a migration slowdown just as the peak holiday season approaches.
The economy
‘Stand ready’ for more interest rate rises, IMF says
Australia's economy was in a strong position before poor productivity and war in the Middle East helped push inflation into the red zone, the IMF says.
Miners and real estate stocks have weighed heavily on the ASX as the exchange comes up against a perfect storm of market headwinds.
The Reserve Bank's deputy governor Andrew Hauser says Australians are fed up with higher living costs, and want inflation to be brought under control.
Inflation is forecast to have eased during July due to lower electricity prices, but rising fuel costs could reignite price growth down the track.
Labor is proposing an overhaul to the financial advice sector to try to thwart "bad actors" attracted to Australia's huge pool of retirement savings.
Mortgage holders have been spared further financial pain after the Reserve Bank held interest rates steady for a second straight meeting.
The Reserve Bank is widely tipped to keep interest rates on hold, but economists are still warning inflationary risks remain.
Many Australian banks are flying blind when customers ask them to confirm the details of mortgage offset accounts, leaving thousands of borrowers at risk.
A larger-than expected rise in employment will not ease Reserve Bank fears about inflation as rising oil prices compound cost pressures.
Business confidence among Canberra firms has fallen sharply, with more businesses expecting to shrink, cut staff and struggle to make a profit over the next year, according to the Canberra Business Chamber's latest Business Beat report.
A fresh look at consumer and business sentiment this week will provide key insights as Australia battles still-elevated core inflation.
Despite a fall in headline inflation, a larger-than-expected rise in the underlying figure to 3.6 per cent will concern the Reserve Bank.
Weak productivity growth and stifling business conditions are preventing Australia from capitalising on its economic strengths, a think tank claims.
