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Economics

February newspaper job ads posts biggest rise in nine months

AAP  |  TUESDAY, 9 MAR 2004
The number of Australian job advertisement in major metropolitan newspapers recorded their strongest increase in nine months, climbing 6.4% in February to a seasonally adjusted 22,119 a week.

Business expectations weakest in 12 months: survey

AAP  |  TUESDAY, 9 MAR 2004
Australian business expectations have fallen in February, with the outlook for sales, profits and employment growth the weakest in 12 months, a survey has shown.

Housing credit growth sustainable, but will ease: Macquarie

AAP  |  MONDAY, 8 MAR 2004
Strong housing credit growth in Australia has been a boon for financial institutions but it has raised the question of whether the current levels are sustainable.

House prices after surge 6% in Q4

AAP  |  FRIDAY, 5 MAR 2004
Australian house prices skyrocketed in the final three months of 2003.

Free trade deal goes public, but attacked over PBS

AAP  |  FRIDAY, 5 MAR 2004
The 1,000 page free trade deal with the United States was released publicly yesterday and immediately slammed for undermining Australia's cheap medicines system.

Building approvals slide again in January: ABS

AAP  |  THURSDAY, 4 MAR 2004
Building approvals slid for the third month in a row in January, new figures showed today, confirming last year's interest rate rises have taken some steam out of the housing market.

Australia close to full employment: Costello

AAP  |  THURSDAY, 4 MAR 2004
Treasurer Peter Costello today said Australia was getting close to full employment at its current jobless rate.

Single economic market for Australia and New Zealand getting closer

AAP  |  THURSDAY, 4 MAR 2004
Australia and New Zealand have committed themselves to quickening the pace towards a single economic market, but a single currency is still off the agenda.

RBA leaves rates unchanged, needs more time: economists

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 3 MAR 2004
The Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to leave interest rates unchanged would give it more time to assess the effect of the strong local dollar and slowing housing sector on the economy, economists said today.

Annual economic growth lifts to 4%: ABS

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 3 MAR 2004
Economic growth picked up at the end of last year, new figures showed today, with annual growth lifting to 4% in the year to December.