Economy

Why lockdown would have been ‘inconceivable’ in the GFC
14 April 2020
Why lockdown would have been ‘inconceivable’ in the GFC

Leading figures, including a former deputy prime minister, have revealed why the government response to the COVID-19 crisis is so different to that of the GFC.

State government unveils $440 million for rent relief
14 April 2020
State government unveils $440 million for rent relief

The NSW government has indicated that it will be providing $440 million in rent relief, land tax waivers and rebates for landlords and tenants across both residential and commercial ...

Digital wallet use soars amid COVID-19 restrictions
14 April 2020
digital wallet

Digital wallet transactions have hit record numbers amid the coronavirus outbreak as users move away from cash transactions, according to new data.

Big banks downgraded by ratings agencies
9 April 2020
Big banks downgraded by ratings agencies

Expectations of a “significant economic shock” in the first half of 2020 have prompted both Fitch Ratings and S&P to downgrade Australia’s largest banks.

APRA suspends banking licence issuance
8 April 2020
APRA suspends banking licence issuance

The prudential regulator has confirmed that it is temporarily suspending the issuance of new licenses in response to the “economic uncertainty created by COVID-19”.

RBA closes $36bn in QE transactions
8 April 2020
RBA closes $36bn in QE transactions

The central bank has revealed that it has purchased over $36 billion in government bonds as part of its quantitative easing program to support the domestic economy.

Governments to struggle unwinding ‘unorthodox’ policies
8 April 2020
money

Going “cold turkey” following a “massive fiscal binge” will “rarely end happily”, ING Economics has said in response to coronavirus-induced stimulus provided by government authorities

NSW government urged to freeze land tax
8 April 2020
mortgagebusiness

The state government is being urged to save the commercial sector by allowing landlords a 12-month hiatus from land taxes.

Repayment holidays won’t be treated as credit events: ABA
7 April 2020
Repayment holidays won’t be treated as credit events: ABA

The banking industry has agreed on a common approach to COVID-19 loan repayment deferrals, stating that these will not impact a borrower’s credit rating.

Credit losses to ‘more than triple’: S&P
7 April 2020
Credit losses to ‘more than triple’: S&P

The ratings agency is forecasting a material rise in defaults off the back of the economic shock from the coronavirus outbreak.