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Economics

CEDA warns migration cuts will have economic spillover

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |  WEDNESDAY, 2 SEP 2026
The Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) has warned while a dramatic cut in headline migration figures might be seductive, changes at scale will have a spillover in the economy including the labour market.

Albanese pushes Trump on tariff exemption

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |  FRIDAY, 14 AUG 2026
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese asked US President Donald Trump to consider a full exemption on tariffs for Australia, or at the very least no increase from the current 12.5% subject on Australian exports to the US.

RBA on hold but keeps door open for more hikes

ELIZA BAVIN  |  WEDNESDAY, 12 AUG 2026
The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the door open for further tightening despite keeping the cash rate steady at 4.35%.

PC calls on government to 'redouble' efforts to close the gap

ELIZA BAVIN  |  THURSDAY, 30 JUL 2026
The Productivity Commission has released its 2026 annual Data Compilation Report, tracking Australia's performance towards the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Mixed inflation data keeps August RBA meeting a 'live' one

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |  WEDNESDAY, 29 JUL 2026
Australia's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.8% in the 12 months to June, down from 4% in the 12 months to May 2026, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Jobs data surprises on the upside, rate hike on the cards

RIDDHIMA TALWANI  |  FRIDAY, 24 JUL 2026
Employment jumped by a substantial 76,300 jobs in June, above the market consensus of 15,000 jobs creation, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Trump slugs Australia with new 'forced-labour' tariffs

KARREN VERGARA  |  FRIDAY, 24 JUL 2026
US President Donald Trump will slug trading partners, including Australia, with new tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on the premise of pressuring foreign governments to strengthen bans on "the importation of goods produced with forced labour."

Middle East conflict, inflation continues to weigh on confidence

MATTHEW WAI  |  WEDNESDAY, 22 JUL 2026
Although consumer confidence has increased slightly according to ANZ's index, weaker personal finance and the economic outlook continue to halt confidence.

IMF downgrades Australian outlook

ELIZA BAVIN  |  THURSDAY, 9 JUL 2026
The International Monetary Fund has downgraded the outlook for Australia while the RBA's Sarah Hunter has signalled another cash rate hike could be on the cards.

Inflation cools, RBA facing 'uncomfortable trade-off'

ELIZA BAVIN  |  WEDNESDAY, 24 JUN 2026
While inflation has cooled, it remains stubbornly above the Reserve Bank's target range, putting the central bank in a tricky position, experts say.