Category: Australian economy

‘Employers Are Looking for You’: PM Encourages Aussies to Go Back to Work

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is encouraging Aussies to “get out there” and “back into this economy” as business recovers and employers look for staff. “There are thousands and thousands and thousands of jobs which employers around the country are now looking to fill as the recovery takes hold,” Morrison told reporters. “I’d encourage Australians…


Australia’s Economic Recovery Is on Track: Treasurer

Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is optimistic about the nation’s strong road to economic recovery. Frydenberg said new Treasury data revealed that insolvencies are 40 percent lower over the past year, job ads are 30 percent higher than the pandemic’s start. At the same time, the unemployment rate is at 4.6 percent. “It’s another proof point…


Aussie Retail Sales Drop, Online Sales Grow in September Quarter

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures revealed that retail sales volume fell a record 4.4 percent in the September quarter, after Australia’s two biggest state economies went into lockdown. “The Delta outbreak from late June led to protracted lockdowns in many mainland jurisdictions, with the restrictions causing many retailers to close their physical stores throughout…


Australian Budget Is $45 Billion Better, but Long Term Pain Expected: Deloitte

According to forecasts by Deloitte Access Economics, the budget deficit within the next four years will be $45 billion (US$33.4 billion) less compared to Treasury forecasts, but the long-term outlook for the budget is $60 billion (US$44 billion) worse. Deloitte partner Chris Richardson said Australian taxpayers would get $45 billion back in their pockets because…


Australian Cash Rate Maintained for 12th Month, Bond Yield Target Discontinued

The Reserve Bank of Australia has retained the cash rate at 0.1 percent for the 12th month after its monthly board meeting, despite mounting inflation and rate hikes by the big four banks. The bank has frequently stated that the cash rate will not be raised until inflation is sustainably between 2 to 3 percent,…


The Recovery of Business Investment Depends on Certainty Provided by Governments: Report

According to Deloitte’s latest quarterly investment monitor, the pace of business investment recovery will depend on the level of certainty provided by governments. Deloitte partner and report lead author Stephen Smith said the threat of snap lockdowns present a challenging backdrop for new investment. “As businesses continue to acclimatise to the new COVID-19 normal, their…


Unprecedented Spending Leads Australia out of Recession: Treasurer

The Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said an unprecedented level of spending enabled the country to endure a COVID-19 recession. The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) revealed that monthly retail sales rose for the first time in September since the onset of Delta restrictions in May. “We’ve certainly had to spend in…


Fiscal Conservatism Is Another Victim of the Pandemic

Commentary The new Premier of New South Wales (NSW), Dominic Perrottet, and his Treasurer Matt Kean announced $2.8 billion (US$2.1 billion) of new spending last week, which in their words is to “turbocharge the NSW recovery.” It was not billed as a mini-budget—but it could have been. As a test of the Perrottet government’s approach,…


Fiscal Conservatism Another Victim of the Pandemic

Commentary The new Premier of New South Wales (NSW), Dominic Perrottet, and his Treasurer Matt Kean announced $2.8 billion (US$2.1 billion) of new spending last week, which in their words is to “turbocharge the NSW recovery.” It was not billed as a mini-budget—but it could have been. As a test of the Perrottet government’s approach,…


‘Pandemic Is Far From Over’: Australian Treasury Secretary

Australian Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy has warned that the “pandemic is far from over” and the country needs to remain vigilant against the risks associated with the CCP virus. “As we move through 2021, the pandemic is far from over. We have witnessed the consequences and impacts of second and third waves around the world…