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Economics

Queensland economy growth rate passes 5%

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 3 MAR 2004
Queensland has laid claim to being the "engine room" of Australia, with revised figures showing the state's economy grew by 5.3% in the last financial year - more than double the national average.

RBA leaves cash rate at 5.25%

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 3 MAR 2004
The Reserve Bank of Australia today did not change the cash rate which remains at 5.25%.

Interest rates expected to stay on hold

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 3 MAR 2004
Interest rates are expected to stay on hold today, with figures showing the Reserve Bank can afford to wait another month before lifting rates.

Current account improves marginally in Q4

AAP  |  TUESDAY, 2 MAR 2004
Australia's current account deficit improved marginally in the three months to December after a recovery in rural exports.

Australians save pennies in anticipation of rate rise: Wizard

AAP  |  TUESDAY, 2 MAR 2004
Half of Australia's borrowers are expecting another interest rate rise following the Reserve Bank's board meeting today, a survey shows.

Farms still struggling to turn a profit: ABARE

AAP  |  TUESDAY, 2 MAR 2004
The business of farming just keeps getting harder with almost a quarter of all primary producers tipped to make a loss this financial year.

Business indicators show firm end to 2003, but lowers GDP forecast

AAP  |  TUESDAY, 2 MAR 2004
While Australian business indicators for the December quarter pointed to a robust finish for the economy in 2003 economists have sharply revised down their expectations for the December quarter GDP outcome.

RBA index of commodity prices down 1.4%

AAP  |  TUESDAY, 2 MAR 2004
The Reserve Bank of Australia index of commodity prices in special drawing rights terms fell 1.4% in February, according to preliminary estimates from the central bank.

Inflation and manufacturing slow: survey

AAP  |  TUESDAY, 2 MAR 2004
The rise of the Australian dollar has produced a significant decline in manufacturing activity in February, an industry survey released yesterday showed.

Inventories up 0.3% in December quarter: ABS

AAP  |  MONDAY, 1 MAR 2004
The estimate of income from sales by manufacturers in the December quarter, in seasonally adjusted chain volume measures, rose 0.6% to $70.505 billion, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said.