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RBA governor Michele Bullock and Treasurer Jim Chalmers with an IMF logo.

EconomyCommentsInflation fight not over as Trump trade storm brews

Australia will have close to the highest inflation among developed nations next year even as the global economy teeters on the brink through a trade storm and surging public debt, the IMF predicts.

Matt Mckenzie

Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock and Treasurer Jim Chalmers

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EconomyComments
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Jobs market ‘resilient’ as trade storm looms

Australia’s jobs market posted another solid month in March but the Reserve Bank will be focused on the road ahead amid a growing trade war.

Matt Mckenzie

US President Donald Trump.

EconomyCommentsTaxing times: Trump trade fight to dent growth

NAB experts have declared recessions are ‘highly likely’ in some major economies, with the bank dialling down growth forecasts as Donald Trump’s tariff chaos rampages through markets.

Matt Mckenzie

Which way will Aussie inflation go in Trump’s trade war? Michele Bullock’s team isn’t yet sure.

EconomyCommentsWhy RBA is unsure how trade war will impact inflation

A big fall in Australia’s exchange rate or major supply chain disruptions would restart inflation, the Reserve Bank has warned as it readies for the global trade storm.

Matt Mckenzie

Hospitality fared worst with almost one-in-ten food and beverage businesses closing doors in the past year.

EconomyCommentsCorporate collapses could be Trumped up by trade war

About 30,000 Australian businesses are in default of their tax debts and the looming storm of Donald Trump’s trade war will likely push more over the edge.

Matt Mckenzie

US President Donald Trump during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Photographer: Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg

EconomyCommentsWhy this economist reckons the RBA needs Trump insurance

This economist has ditched his long-running caution about interest rate cuts amid Donald Trump’s chaotic trade war.

Matt Mckenzie

RBA governor Michele Bullock has sought to stand firm amid panic in financial markets.

RBACommentsRBA boss seeks to steady the ship amid Trump chaos

Michele Bullock says her Reserve Bank will be patient watching the fallout from the global trade storm on a day markets rebounded following a backflip by Donald Trump

Matt Mckenzie

Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock says Australia is well placed to weather trade shocks. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

professional - Women generalBank boss alert, not alarmed over Trump tariff fallout

As rate-cut bets see-saw, the Reserve Bank governor says Australia is well placed for overseas shocks in her first speech since Donald Trump's tariff thump.

Jacob Shteyman

RBA boss Michele Bullock has to balance unemployment and inflation.

EconomyCommentsBank tips supersized rate cut for May

A big investment bank reckons a super-sized interest rate cut is coming next month as panicked markets up their bets on rate relief despite concerns about inflation.

Matt Mckenzie

RBA Governor Michele Bullock said the full impacts of the trade war are not yet clear — and the central bank also warned Australia’s fight against inflation was far from over.

EconomyComments‘Tread carefully’: Markets pile on bets for rate cuts

Panicked investors have bet on four to five more rate cuts through to the end of December as analysts predict President Donald Trump’s massive tax hikes will batter the US economy.

Matt Mckenzie

Michele Bullock on Tuesday talked down the RBA’s rate cut driving up house prices.

EconomyCommentsWe need more supply to cool house prices: Bullock

Governor Michele Bullock wants to dampen concern that the Reserve Bank’s February rate cut has sparked a resurgence of rising prices in Australia’s housing market.

Matt Mckenzie

Two economic indicators and US tariffs are set to determine whether interest rates fall in May. (Flavio Brancaleone/AAP PHOTOS)

RBAPremiumTwo data prints and a Trump wildcard to decide rate cut

Mortgage holders could know by April 30 whether to expect more interest rate relief, as the Reserve Bank casts its eyes on a crucial inflation reading.

Jacob Shteyman

RBA Governor Michele Bullock’s board signalled that it would be ready to act amid turmoil offshore, with an escalating global trade war driven by the United States.

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RBAComments
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RBA holds rates ahead of trade war storm

A cautious Reserve Bank has kept interest rates on hold, but declared it is ready to act as an escalating trade war sparks uncertainty about the future of the global economy.

Matt Mckenzie

There’s a Federal election around the corner and the central bank board will be very happy to keep its powder dry and well away from any suggestion of playing politics.

RBACommentsRBA RECAP: Election no factor in rates hold, says Bullock

With an eye on the possible market turmoil to come, the RBA says monetary policy is well placed to respond to global developments if they were to have material implications for Australia.

Daniel Newell

U.S. President Donald Trump gets out of a Tesla Model S on the South Lawn of the White House on March 11, 2025.

EconomyCommentsTrump’s trade chaos shakes up markets

Share markets took a battering on Monday ahead of major economic news this week when the US reveals further tariffs and the Reserve Bank inks its next decision on interest rates.

Matt Mckenzie

Michele Bullock, governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia.

ASICCommentsASX cops ASIC, RBA lashing for December trade blunder

Australia’s corporate watchdog and central bank have scolded Australian Securities Exchange over “deep concerns” for its reliability as a trading house and for taking too long to fix incident-prone systems.

Simone Grogan

RBA governor Michele Bullock.

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EconomyComments
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Inflation posts slight fall ahead of RBA meeting

Economists have talked down the chances of back-to-back interest rate cuts when the RBA meets next week, despite inflation cooling slightly.

Matt Mckenzie

Mr Trump overnight promised a fresh round of import taxes on countries that buy oil from Venezuela, with China high on the list.

EconomyCommentsTrump’s trade war: China faces extra tariffs from US

Australia’s biggest export partner could be hit by an extra dose of tariffs from US President Donald Trump, even as signs of possible concessions helped calm markets on Tuesday.

Matt Mckenzie

Treasurer Jim Chalmers addresses the Queensland Media Club ahead of the 2025/26 Federal Budget, Brisbane, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AAP Image/Jono Searle) NO ARCHIVING

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EconomyComments
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Aussie jobs market goes backwards as older workers exit

An exodus of older workers has put an end to Australia’s remarkable run of strong jobs growth but the surprise numbers will be unlikely to spook the RBA.

Matt Mckenzie

Australian consumers and businesses hoping for quick relief from the Reserve Bank’s recent interest rate cut may be in for disappointment, according to RBA chief economist Sarah Hunter.

RBACommentsWhy interest rate relief may be slow to filter through

Australian consumers and businesses hoping for quick relief from the Reserve Bank’s recent interest rate cut may be in for disappointment, according to the RBA’s most senior economist.

Jackson Hewett

The Reserve Bank cut the official interest rate by 25 basis points to 4.1 per cent in February.

EconomyCommentsRate cut relief lifts consumer confidence to 3-year high

Westpac said the RBA’s decision to cut interest rates for the first time since late 2020, and further easing in cost of living pressures have provided a ‘clear lift’ in consumer sentiment.

Cheyanne Enciso

Black Friday at Karrinyup Shopping Centre.

EconomyConsumer sentiment at 3-year high on rate cut relief

Australia’s consumer confidence picked up in March as inflation pressures eased and the Reserve Bank reduced interest rates for the first time in four years. 

Frances Du

The Reserve Bank in February cut the official cash rate from 4.35 per cent to 4.10 per cent. (Flavio Brancaleone/AAP PHOTOS)

BusinessRBA deputy denies rate cut contradicted own forecasts

The Reserve Bank board did not disagree with its own staff over its inflation forecast as some commentators have suggested, deputy governor Andrew Hauser says.

Jacob Shteyman

Michele Bullock, governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia.

RBACommentsPremiumFeb rate cut doesn’t guarantee two in a row, says RBA

The Reserve Bank’s board expressed caution about future policy easing after cutting interest rates for the first time in four years, minutes of its February meeting show.

Swati Pandey