'Some time' before inflation, jobs reach their targets: RBA
The RBA said the economy was some way off full employment and inflation returning to the midpoint of its target, signalling policy will stay on hold
The Economy
Politicians deaf to the silence of no one listening
As stock markets tumbled this week, confusion reigns and sage advice is sought.
I won't be pushed to push up rates, says RBA governor Philip Lowe
Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe has hit out at calls for him to push up interest rates, saying he won’t be swayed by increases overseas.
Victoria slugged with high electricity price on Wednesday
Victoria and South Australia may hit the electricity price market as high temperatures drive up power costs.
Property party is over as biggest bank curbs lending
Australia's housing-market extravaganza is over. That's the call the nation's biggest mortgage-lender is making when it comes to its own money.
Mortgage interest repayments rise at fastest rate in 7 years despite no hike from the RBA in 16 months
New data could build on claims the big four banks are exploiting loyal customers.
Rates to stay low for some time yet, says Reserve Bank
The RBA has signalled that the next increase in interest rates is some time off, opening the year with a statement in which the key word is “gradual”.
Did Apple's iPhone just eat Christmas for Aussie retailers?
Retail sales fell by half a percent in the crucial December trading period - more than double what ecconomists expected.
RBA leaves rates on hold at record low 1.5%
The Reserve Bank of Australia has left the official cash rate on hold at a record low 1.5 per cent at its first meeting of the year.
Tasmania wants to leave the national grid as part of 'Tasexit'
Tasmania’s government wants to leave the National Electricity Market, which could leave Victoria vulnerable in future heatwaves.
Job ads jump by most in a decade
Job ads point to still-healthy demand for labour despite months of rapid employment growth.
New vehicle sales make strong start to year
New vehicle sales hit another record for a January month as sports utilities flew off the lots.
The infrastructure boom cometh
Australia’s infrastructure boom is getting stronger for longer.
Summer heatwaves could provide future energy
Heatwaves have pushed Australia's electricity system to the point of failure, but new technology could use this heat to generate clean energy.
Buying bitcoin at $20,000? Risk your 'ass handed to you': Harry Dent
American author and economic forecaster Harry Dent has made a living out of boom-bust financial prophecies. He says Australia is about to face a major crash.
Dismal, but no disaster. How the BusinessDay economic panel sees 2018
The BusinessDay survey predicts lacklustre economic growth, a share market that will struggle to keep pace with inflation and a stubbornly high Aussie.
Only way is up: Brace for a rate rise this year, most economists say
Homeowners should prepare themselves for higher borrowing costs, according to the 2018 BusinessDay Scope economic survey.
Give tax cuts to companies who give workers wage rises
We asked 26 of Australia's leading economists for their opinions on the year ahead.
A Bill market - meet the forecaster who owned 2017
No-one got 2017 as right as Bill Evans. The Westpac veteran picked economic growth of 3 per cent, nominal growth of 5.4 per cent and a steady cash rate.
Bank economists see no harm from royal commission
"The claims are just special pleading from the banks and its lobby groups," said Bill Mitchell from the University of Newcastle.
'Power to the people': Let's nationalise Australia's grid, Greens say
The Greens want to renationalise Australia’s electricity system, making the poles and wires publically owned again.
Books not bombs: why education is more important than defence
Instead of spending money on building the 10th biggest defence industry in the world, let’s build the world’s smartest five-year old’s that can read
Australians to get first dibs on buying farms
New rules forcing farmers to advertise farmland for at least 30 days before it can be sold to foreign buyers are a response to community concerns, the NFF says
Victoria's Hazelwood power plant is up for grabs on online marketplace Alibaba
Ever wanted to buy part of a power station? Now you can, as Engie auctions off the Hazelwood brown coal-fired power plant, piece by piece.
Sporty McSportface: Doing less good for the political credit
The NSW Active Kids Rebate scheme is an example of a government wanting to be loud and proud about spending money, never mind the inherent waste.
Grid values may fall as government moves to restrict foreign ownership
The Australian government has announced a raft of restrictions on future foreign ownership of Australia’s electricity assets.
Electricity prices jump 12 per cent, six times the average pay rise
The surge will fuel concerns among policymakers over energy and household budgets as Parliament gets ready to resume next week.
Australia a safe haven for illicit funds, but Switzerland the world's worst
Australia continues to host significant quantities of illicit funds from outside the country, according to the 2018 Financial Secrecy Index.
The economic case for changing the Australia Day date
So the January 26 crisis passes for another year, the status quo warriors no doubt pleased with their spirit defending the symbolism of an event 230 years ago, an event most Australians don't know is related to Australia Day.
NSW number one, but housing retreat threatens top spot
For the 14th quarter running NSW's economy has been judged Australia's powerhouse, according to CommSec analysis.
Small Business
Small business out of touch with consumers
Research published by Telstra on Friday shows a reality gap between what small businesses are offering and what consumers want.
Sweet and sour of food-delivery boom
What happens if one or two giant couriers have too much power over restaurants and consumers?