Newspaper icon
The latest issue of Financial Standard now available as an e-newspaper
READ NOW

Economics

Chalmers champions productivity, urges tax reform

ANDREW MCKEAN  |  THURSDAY, 19 JUN 2025
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has cast productivity as the government's chief priority, with budget sustainability and resilience also among its key focuses but made the case that sensible progress can't be made without proper consideration of more tax reform ...

Australian wealth increases despite variable global growth: UBS

MATTHEW WAI  |  THURSDAY, 19 JUN 2025
Australia saw a 10% jump in median wealth, with latest findings showing the country is seeing a more "equal spread" of wealth than most nations.

ECB drops interest rates by 0.25%

KARREN VERGARA  |  FRIDAY, 6 JUN 2025
The European Central Bank (ECB) lowered its benchmark interest rates by 25 basis points overnight as inflation comes within its target levels.

Minimum wage to rise 3.5%

JAMIE WILLIAMSON  |  TUESDAY, 3 JUN 2025
The National Minimum Wage and all modern award minimum wage rates will increase by 3.5% on July 1.

COVID 'masked' issues at core of productivity problem: PC

ELIZA BAVIN  |  THURSDAY, 29 MAY 2025
The COVID-19 pandemic saw productivity in Australia reach a record high, but new research from the Productivity Commission found it only served to mask the real issues.

Small construction firms drag productivity: CEDA

KARREN VERGARA  |  TUESDAY, 27 MAY 2025
Australia's laggard construction productivity and deepening housing crisis have been made worse by the small businesses that dominate the sector, the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) says.

Australian firms may face 'intense competition': RBA

ELIZA BAVIN  |  MONDAY, 26 MAY 2025
The Reserve Bank deputy governor said Australian firms may face more intense competition from China because of recent US policies.

J.P. MAM slashes recession probability to 30%

KARREN VERGARA  |  TUESDAY, 20 MAY 2025
J.P. Morgan Asset Management has slashed the probability of a recession eventuating in 2025 in half to 30% amid relief from the latest tariff announcements, but it warns risks remain elevated.

Productivity Commission identifies priority reform areas

ELIZA BAVIN  |  MONDAY, 19 MAY 2025
The Productivity Commission has identified 15 priority reforms areas to boost productivity and is seeking input to inform the draft recommendations in its interim reports.

Tariffs were never the answer: Experts

JAMIE WILLIAMSON  |  MONDAY, 19 MAY 2025
The tariffs doled out by the Trump administration are unlikely to help the US realise its economic priorities, an industry conference has heard.