economy
Jobs market strong but Trump tariff bomb yet to explode
23 April
Global headwinds stirred by “erratic” US policy decisions could still hit the Australian jobs market despite latest figures showing only a small uptick in unemployment. About 30,000 jobs were created in March after a shock 53,000 slump in...[Read More]
Working women key to future economic growth: bank boss
16 April
Women’s participation in the Australian economy has been remarkably transformed in the past 40 years but more progress is needed, the head of the central bank says. Michele Bullock made history in 2023 when she became the first woman appointed...[Read More]
Energy policy trips up leaders in cost-of-living poll
2 April
Voters are hearing less about nuclear and more about gas from the federal opposition as the major parties struggle to sell their visions for cheaper, cleaner power. Building seven nuclear power plants in five states is central to Opposition Leader...[Read More]
Trump steel deal could fire up housing sector boost
19 February
A deal with Donald Trump could deliver a win for Australia’s construction sector, a peak industry body says. Australian officials have been working to carve out an exemption from the US president’s 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium...[Read More]
Concern Australian jobs at risk over Trump’s tariffs
12 February
Industrial communities are holding their breath to see whether Australia can negotiate an exemption to US President Donald Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs. While Mr Trump signed off on 25 per cent tariffs without exception, confirmation he’s...[Read More]
Business conference revival an Aussie economic boon
12 February
From space science conventions to paediatric gastroenterology conferences, Australia has bagged $1 billion worth of international events. The lucrative business events sector took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic and has struggled to get back on...[Read More]
Musk-like efficiency role ‘strange’ call for Australia
5 February
Australia has a red tape problem and even the boss of the corporate watchdog acknowledges it. But introducing an Elon Musk-style Minister for Deregulation is a “strange” way to go about it, Jim Chalmers says. The treasurer was responding to a...[Read More]
Twelve days’ reproductive health leave could save $26b
15 January
Australia’s economy is deprived of $26.6 billion annually due to lost productivity from untreated reproductive health conditions, a report reveals. The findings have fuelled calls for a national entitlement of 12 days of reproductive leave. The...[Read More]
Australia’s bullet-proof jobs market put to the test
15 January
Attention is poised to turn to the state of hiring and firing in Australia for signs the labour market is gradually unwinding as expected in a sluggish economy. Thursday’s labour force numbers for December from the Australian Bureau of Statistics...[Read More]
Rate cuts on horizon in mixed 2025 for the economy
1 January
Australians have endured taxing economic conditions in the past calendar year, but there is cause for cautious hope in 2025. Long-awaited interest rate cuts are broadly expected in the first half of the year, providing household budgets with...[Read More]
Welfare payments, wage theft laws to change in new year
1 January
MAJOR CHANGES TO PAYMENTS AND REGULATIONS AFFECTING AUSTRALIANS IN 2025: * Wage theft laws will come into effect, meaning employers who underpay workers will be committing a criminal offence * More than one million Australians will see government...[Read More]
Carer, student, youth support payments set to grow
11 December
More than one million Australians will soon receive a hip-pocket bump as their support payments increase. From January 1, payments for young people, students, carers and others will be indexed to keep up with inflation. Jobseekers, students,...[Read More]
Thousands wiped off student debt in pre-Christmas gift
27 November
Millions of university graduates and students will soon wake up to an early Christmas present after the government wiped thousands of dollars off their debts. Laws to cap the indexation rate for the Higher Education Loan Program at either the rate...[Read More]
Social cohesion holds despite inflation, high migration
20 November
The vast majority Australians still view multiculturalism and immigration favourably despite growing concern about the number of new arrivals. Almost half of those surveyed in the 2024 Scanlon Mapping Social Cohesion report said migration into...[Read More]
Bonus to stick with army helps Australia to stay ready
6 November
Cash bonuses for serving personnel will do little to improve retention rates, a veterans’ welfare organisation warns. The Albanese government on Tuesday announced a $600 million package to keep people in the military, while releasing the 2024...[Read More]