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Economics

Chief economist update: COVID-19 cycle

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 17 AUG 2020
Infection, containment through social distancing and lockdowns, easing of restrictions, and back to infection. Is this the new normal cycle?

Chief economist update: Second wave threatens an oil spill

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 14 AUG 2020
Most things appeared to be going hunky-dory for the oil market in the second quarter of this year. But renewed lockdown measures in parts of the world could turn this around.

Chief economist update: The wages of COVID-19

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 13 AUG 2020
Aussie wages have recorded the lowest annual growth in 22 years, but it's not all bad.

Chief economist update: Forecasting is futile

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 12 AUG 2020
In times such as these, forecasting is futile. This is perhaps best exemplified by yesterday's piece on New Zealand's victory over COVID-19.

Chief economist update: Ardern's ardour

BENJAMIN ONG  |  TUESDAY, 11 AUG 2020
Big congratulations to our next door neighbours, you've done well - no second wave. And, even as New Zealand's wage subsidy nears its end and unemployment threatens to rise, the nation should still emerge wealthier than its peers.

Chief economist update: Good US employment news is not so good

BENJAMIN ONG  |  MONDAY, 10 AUG 2020
There's good news and bad news in the US labour market report for July.

Chief economist update: Escape from Victoria

BENJAMIN ONG  |  FRIDAY, 7 AUG 2020
The JobKeeper programme's blowout to $102.2 billion is still less than what the Federal Treasury originally allotted to its war on the pandemic, but certainly raises the budget deficit.

Chief economist update: The V in recovery

BENJAMIN ONG  |  THURSDAY, 6 AUG 2020
Were it not for the second wave now doing the rounds in a number of cities around the world, the letter "V" would now be standing for "victory" against the war on COVID-19.

Chief economist update: The RBA's lullaby

BENJAMIN ONG  |  WEDNESDAY, 5 AUG 2020
The Reserve Bank of Australia delivered what every rational individual expected it to, making clear the situation in Victoria isn't dire enough for it to act.

Government introduces pandemic payment

ANNABELLE DICKSON  |  TUESDAY, 4 AUG 2020
Workers in Victoria who are required to isolate for two weeks and do not have sick leave entitlements will soon have access to paid pandemic leave.