Economy

Job losses on the horizon as JobKeeper ends
25 March 2021
Job losses on the horizon as JobKeeper ends

Treasury has supported ending the JobKeeper program while estimating that up to 150,000 recipients may lose employment at the end of the program.

RBA rate forecasts defy global view
11 March 2021
RBA rate forecasts defy global view

The RBA has laid to rest any chance of a rate rise before 2024 despite expectations that other central banks could raise rates next year and in 2023.

Support offered to borrowers impacted by Cyclone Niran
8 March 2021
Support offered to borrowers impacted by Cyclone Niran

The Queensland government and lenders have begun offering financial assistance to those affected by Cyclone Niran in Queensland.

GDP figures confirm economic recovery
4 March 2021
GDP figures confirm economic recovery

Australia’s GDP grew by 3.1 per cent during the December quarter, beating market expectations of a 2.5 per cent increase, official figures show. 

RBA makes March cash rate decision
2 March 2021
RBA makes March cash rate decision

The central bank has made its official interest rate decision for the month of March.

Hume dismisses call to use super for mortgage deposits
22 February 2021
Hume dismisses call to use super for mortgage deposits

Superannuation Minister Jane Hume has denied the government is considering a backbencher’s proposal to allow first home buyers to withdraw retirement savings for housing deposits.

House price rise, household debt a risk to banks
18 February 2021
House price rise, household debt a risk to banks

Analysts have flagged that the banking sector may be exposed to more risk than some of its Aaa-rated peers, reflecting banks’ high exposure to mortgages.

Social housing key to post-COVID recovery: study
18 February 2021
Social housing key to post-COVID recovery: study

A study has underscored concerns about the dependence on “cheap money” policy for housing, instead suggesting that social housing could be more effective in stimulating the market.

Mortgage stress mounts as support winds back
10 February 2021
Mortgage stress mounts as support winds back

Mortgage stress had increased in the three months to November 2020 compared with three months prior, indicating that winding back government support would “test” the housing market, ...

Current rates to stay ‘as long as necessary’: RBA
4 February 2021
Current rates to stay ‘as long as necessary’: RBA

The cash rate could remain at its current record-low levels for longer than three years, and as long as necessary, the RBA has said.