Business conditions hit three-year low
The business sector has weakened further in the last quarter of 2012, with a survey showing conditions slumping to their lowest point in more than three years.
Chris Jordan appointed top tax man
Clancy Yeates A former policeman who once worked in John Howard’s office has been appointed to run the Tax Office, in a rare decision to give the top job to an outsider.
Home loan rise shows impact of rate cuts
Georgia Wilkins A rise in monthly home loan data shows borrowers are beginning to take advantage of interest rate cuts.
Hopes of a December rate cut sink
The chances of a pre-Christmas rate cut have fallen after the Reserve Bank revised up its inflation forecasts.
RBA cuts growth forecast for third time
Clancy Yeates Australia’s economic prospects have been downgraded by the Reserve Bank for the third time this year, as weak export prices, a stubbornly high dollar and budget cuts take a hefty toll on growth.
Jobless rate stabilises in October
Thomas Hunter The economy adds more jobs thean expected, lengthening the odds of another interest rate cut before Christmas.
Michael Pascoe
The rate pause that won't stop the nation
Michael Pascoe As many a successful horse trainer knows, stimulus has to be handled carefully lest the horse be cooked or the stewards notice.
House prices continue to struggle
Georgia Wilkins House prices inched higher last quarter and annual growth was barely positive, a sign past rate cuts are having only a tepid impact and an open door to more easing.
Michael Pascoe
Rate cut not a sure bet
Michael Pascoe Most economists are tipping an interest rate cut tomorrow - but it’s worth remembering that more often than not the favourite doesn’t win the Melbourne Cup.
Trade deficit narrows
Australia’s trade deficit narrowed in September, official figures show.
Consumers need rate cut: Westpac chief
Eric Johnston Westpac chief Gail Kelly has said further cuts to official cash rates are needed to boost consumer and business confidence.
Services still struggling with high dollar
Activity in the Australian services sector has fallen for the ninth consecutive month, weighed down by weak consumer confidence.
Soft producer prices add to rate cut case
Producer prices rose by far less than expected last quarter as a lofty local dollar and falling petrol prices helped offset the impact of a carbon tax, adding to the case for another rates cut.
Bad jobs trap looms for workers
Chris Zappone Job quality at the top end of the spectrum is increasing, while job quality at the bottom end worsening, research shows.
Future Fund sees security in infrastructure
Clancy Yeates The $80 billion Future Fund has signalled it is looking to splash out on more infrastructure assets, in an attempt to shield its portfolio from further bouts of market volatility.
September quarter CPI - the numbers
Here is a breakdown of the prices movements by capital city and by sector.
Inflation jump gives RBA food for thought
Chris Zappone Inflation jumps in the third quarter but remains at levels weak enough to allow room for the RBA to cut rates again in November.
Australia complacent about Asia integration
Peter Cai One of the country’s peak professional services bodies has warned that Australia risks of being a peripheral player in the Asian century if business remains complacent about engagement in the Asia...
Monthly tax bill to help plug budget hole
Clancy Yeates The budget will receive a $8.3 billion boost in the three years from 2014 as the government moves to collecting company taxes every month, rather than quarterly.
Surplus a ’brave assumption’, economists
The federal government is relying on optimistic economic growth forecasts to return the budget to surplus, a leading economist says.
