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Banks' pack behaviour could drive housing lower: RBA

Banks' pack behaviour could drive housing lower: RBA

The RBA has warned that the banks' habit of acting as a pack could exacerbate the housing decline.

  • by Mathew Dunckley

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Premier predicts early 'substantial budget surplus'
WA budget

Premier predicts early 'substantial budget surplus'

"And we will not be just squeaking over the line, either - this will be a substantial surplus in the hundreds of millions of dollars," the Premier said.

Retail boosted by fashion and online sales
Retail

Retail boosted by fashion and online sales

Retail sales rose 0.3 per cent in October, in line with market predictions, helped by higher spending on clothing and footwear and a surge in online shopping.

  • by Charlotte Grieve
Fears for economy as consumers hit brakes on spending
GDP

Fears for economy as consumers hit brakes on spending

Australia's national accounts have set up an election contest over plans to drive struggling consumers back to the shops.

  • by Eryk Bagshaw
'We use hand-me-downs': Dollar-watching shoppers spell trouble for retailers
GDP

'We use hand-me-downs': Dollar-watching shoppers spell trouble for retailers

The national accounts revealed a building crunch on retailers who face a mounting pile of unsold stock.

  • by Charlotte Grieve & Ben Weir
Australian economy grows by 2.8 per cent, well below expectations
GDP

Australian economy grows by 2.8 per cent, well below expectations

The economy grew by 2.8 per cent in the year to September, delivering the Coalition an economic hurdle as it heads into the summer break.

  • by Eryk Bagshaw
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Housing slump 'the biggest threat to the Australian economy'
Opinion
Property prices

Housing slump 'the biggest threat to the Australian economy'

There is a lot riding on how households in Sydney and Melbourne react to gloomy headlines about falling house prices.

  • by Matt Wade
Morrison's softened energy 'big stick' may be harder to challenge
Energy

Morrison's softened energy 'big stick' may be harder to challenge

Energy lawyers say the federal government's decision to soften its proposed energy industry forced divestment powers may actually make it more difficult for industry to challenge any forced asset sales.

  • by Cole Latimer
RBA keeps rates on hold as Coalition faces economic test
Interest rates

RBA keeps rates on hold as Coalition faces economic test

Despite a strong September quarter, weak wages growth and low-inflation has kept the central bank at bay.

  • by Eryk Bagshaw
Trump thought Yellen was too short to be Fed chair. That's not how this works
Opinion
Interest rates

Trump thought Yellen was too short to be Fed chair. That's not how this works

The message is clear enough: neither a perfect resume nor a perfect record is enough to impress Trump.

  • by Matt O'Brien
Australia cuts wheat harvest forecast to 10-year low on drought
Soft commodities

Australia cuts wheat harvest forecast to 10-year low on drought

Australia has lowered its wheat production forecast by 11 per cent to the smallest in a decade amid a crippling drought across the country's east coast.

  • by Colin Packham