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Economics

Home lending bounces back in August: ABS

AAP  |  FRIDAY, 10 OCT 2003
The number of home loans issued bounced back in August, new figures showed today, driven by rising numbers of homebuyers refinancing their properties.

Some CLERP rules "excessively prescriptive"

AAP  |  THURSDAY, 9 OCT 2003
Some rules contained in the CLERP 9 legislative package were "excessively prescriptive", PricewaterhouseCoopers chief executive Tony Harrington warned today.

Anti-spam bill passed

AAP  |  THURSDAY, 9 OCT 2003
Australians may soon get relief from annoying, unsolicited emails after the House of Representatives today passed a bill to combat spam emails.

Housing finance expected to have risen in August

AAP  |  THURSDAY, 9 OCT 2003
The number of home loan approvals was expected to have risen in August as a low interest rate environment kept encouraging buyers and investors into the housing market.

Jobless rate down, could go lower: Costello

WITH AAP  |  THURSDAY, 9 OCT 2003
The jobless rate stayed at a 13-year low of 5.8 per cent in September, new figures showed today, but could go lower according to Treasurer Peter Costello.

Costello unveils response to CLERP 9

The business and investment community has until 10 November to formally respond to the government's draft legislation on audit reform and corporate disclosure, the result of the ninth review of the Corporate Law and Economic Reform Program (CLERP 9).

Shareholders to get chance to vote on executive payouts

Shareholders would get the chance to lodge a protest vote on hefty executive salaries under new proposals to shake up corporate regulations.

Interest rates steady but rise on the way: economists

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 8 OCT 2003
The Reserve Bank of Australia kept interest rates steady for the 17th straight month today but economists say the clock is now ticking down to an increase.

Investors stick to property, despite lure of rising sharemarkets: ING

Despite the lure of rising sharemarkets, investors have decided to stay focused on property investment and debt reduction, the latest ING Melbourne Institute Household Savings and Investment Report for the September quarter revealed today.

Interest rates remain on hold: RBA

AAP  |  WEDNESDAY, 8 OCT 2003
Homebuyers can breathe easy after the Reserve Bank of Australia today left interest rates on hold for the 16th month in a row.