Australian economy
Opinion
GDP
The economy’s just the means to an end. So, are we getting our money’s worth?
Our materialism puts us on a “hedonic treadmill”. We think buying a bit more stuff will make us happier and, at first, it does. But pretty soon the thrill wears off.
- by Ross Gittins
Latest
Updated
Interest rates
RBA inflation outlook ups pressure on Chalmers ahead of budget
The Reserve Bank revealed it expects price pressures to grow through the rest of the year, which may require another lift in official interest rates.
- by Rachel Clun and Shane Wright
Five things to know about the Australian economy
Here are the key takeaways on the economy from the Reserve Bank’s latest monetary policy statement.
- by Rachel Clun
No scorched earth: Chalmers promises budget spending as economy slows
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is poised to deliver a second successive budget surplus, but deficits in coming years to support the economy.
- by Shane Wright
An extra $25 billion not enough to guarantee more budget surpluses
Jim Chalmers will deliver his third budget on May 14. Extra tax, which has bolstered the past two budgets, won’t be enough to offset extra spending.
- by Shane Wright
Exclusive
Inflation
Businesses struggle as cash-strapped customers dump spending plans
The cost-of-living crisis that is hitting consumers is now being felt by small and medium-sized businesses as shoppers try to make savings.
- by Shane Wright
Exclusive
Federal budget
$50b clawed back from waste and rorts not enough to solve ‘truly wicked problem’
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher’s spending audit has found $50 billion in savings and redirected spending over the last two budgets. Economists say more needs to be done.
- by Rachel Clun
Home buyers’ inflation pain almost double the official rate
When the ABS factored interest rates into its cost-of-living index, working people paying off mortgages endured the worst inflation.
- by Shane Wright
‘Path forward remains uncertain’: Spending slumps before RBA’s pre-budget rates call
Retail spending growth over the year to the end of March was just 0.8 per cent – the weakest growth on record outside the pandemic and the introduction of the GST in 2000.
- by Rachel Clun
Who takes over Tritium, the titan house of EV charger manufacturing in Australia?
Tritium was viewed as a national success story and its collapse leaves a significant gap: “Who’s going to fill that space when we’re trying to build the charging network?”
- by Sumeyya Ilanbey
Opinion
Defence capability
Sorry, it’s not gallantry that wins wars, it’s economic might
Whatever their causes, wars are usually won by the side with the most economic resources. Here’s why.
- by Ross Gittins