Jennifer Duke

Independent economist Chris Richardson has warned that Australia’s underlying deficits through to 2027-28 may be $10 billion worse than Treasury’s May estimates.

The unemployment rate remained steady in October at 4.1%. This is the third consecutive month the jobless rate has not budged in the official figures.

The Reserve Bank has kept interest rates on hold at its second-to-last meeting for the year. This was widely expected by economists who were more focused on changes to the tone of the central bank's post-meeting statement.

The total value of major engineering and construction projects, as measured by Deloitte Access Economics, remained flat over the September quarter but planned projects have hit a record high due to investments in solar, wind, battery storage and hydrogen projects.

The International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook report has warned there are downside risks to economic growth amid a volatile global environment. The IMF expects global economic growth to reach 3.2% in 2024 and 2025.

Reserve Bank deputy governor Andrew Hauser has had a tough ride with the media. But while he impressed today, the reaction to the central bank's minutes show it still faces comms challenges.

A surprise retail rebound in August has economists debating whether fiscal measures or warm weather drove the surge, with concerns rising over rates.

Moves by China to stimulate the world’s second-largest economy are already affecting the ASX — and will have profound implications for Australia beyond that.

The ABS was planning to send out its Census test, including new sexuality and gender topics, just days before the Prime Minister said the questions "weren't appropriate".

The political debate about the economy will only intensify with new house prices data and budget surplus figures set to dominate the week ahead in macro.

The news: Treasurer Jim Chalmers has hit back at the Coalition as the opposition prepares to block his planned and historic reforms of the Reserve Bank.

The news: There has been a decline in women working part-time roles but an increase in overall flexibility, according to a report from the Workplace Gender Authority Agency (WGEA) and Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre.

The news: Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock has put the focus firmly back on inflation as the main source of economic woes after a firestorm week in which Treasurer Jim Chalmers was accused of attacking the central bank.

The news: The Australian economy grew 0.2% in the June quarter, below expectations of 0.3% for the quarter, according to new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has been talking about Australia's move to a "fourth economy", which has economists thinking that a policy shift could be on the cards.

The news: Commonwealth Bank CEO Matt Comyn has backed tax reform including increasing the amount of tax charged on wealth rather than income. Comyn acknowledged it would be “difficult” but said it was “time” for critical structural reform to help drive prosperity and productivity.

The news: Treasurer Jim Chalmers has used his John Curtin Oration 2024 speech to launch an excoriating attack on Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and outline more details of his vision for the "fourth" economy.

Local data flow will be scrutinised closely in the wake of US Fed chair's Jerome Powell's all but confirmation of rate cuts next month. It's also another heavy week for ASX earnings.

The news: The federal government has directed the Productivity Commission to undertake an inquiry into the circular economy over the next 12 months. It will look at ways to improve resource productivity, identify barriers that limit the efficient use of raw materials and find priority areas for progress.

The news: An analysis by Westpac has found no evidence that the amended stage 3 tax cuts have translated into a rise in spending. In fact, households across most cohorts seem to have been saving the extra income where possible.