A flat inflation result for the December quarter opens the way for a rate cut, yes, but watch Greece …
Australian bureau of statistics
Why the RBA should hold fire on rates
The local and international economies aren’t as bad as many claim, and the RBA should hold off on cutting rates.
Something for everyone in new employment data
The latest unemployment data are a decidedly mixed bag. The real concern is the participation rate.
Retail data: an industry changing, not collapsing
Ignore the doomsters: Australia retail is doing OK — it’s just changing, and not in a way the Gerry Harveys of the world like.
Unemployment figures defy the pessimists again
Today’s employment numbers suggest the economy is sound and ready for whatever Europe throws at it. Economists had been tipping a fall in employment amid softer conditions but yet again the doomsayers were defied.
Political snippets: Rate reduction a good bet
The money has been coming for an interest rate cut in this afternoon’s big event.
Inflation down — but does it mean a rate cut?
Inflationary pressures are easing again — but it’s the European crisis that will occupy the RBA board next week, not domestic issues, write Glenn Dyer and Bernard Keane.
Political snippets: The coming shortage
Some evidence this morning from the Australian Bureau of Statistics of the coming shortage of construction and mining workers.
New ABS measure shows lower inflation
A revised method of calculating changes to inflation made by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the inflationary measures that most influence the Reserve Bank are lower than previously calculated, writes Richard Farmer.
Unemployment jumps! Except, it was in the boom states …
Unemployment edged up in August, but the rise was in the resource boom states of WA and Queensland where growth has hit a wall.
Political snippets: Nearly standing still on unemployment
Nearly standing still. A year ago the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that in July 2010 there were just under 587,000 unemployed. This morning comes the news that in July 2011 there were 576,000 officially looking for jobs. The economic recovery has stalled with the ABS figures actually showing an increase in unemployment over the […]
Political snippets: Retail turnover gets a caning
These are certainly not boom times, with the ABS showing that Australian retail turnover fell 0.1% in June 2011, seasonally adjusted, following a fall of 0.6% the previous month.
Don’t be surprised if the GDP is shocking
It doesn’t take a fall in GDP or a rise in unemployment to prick a housing bubble, writes Gavin R. Putland, from Prosper Australia.
The copyright lobby’s loose facts
As Crikey has revealed, the data advanced by the copyright lobby on piracy is full of holes. Even the public report into the issue can’t be believed, muddying the debate for industry and creators.
National accounts numbers have us right where the RBA wants
After talk of a recession, the Australian economy grew in the last quarter of 2010, but with no signs of inflation.
Political snippets: Bligh handling tough task well
Natural disasters such as that occurring in Queensland present a difficult task for political leaders.
Political snippets: The cost of bank funds
This morning we could choose between banks exploiting consumers by raising their interest rate margins or maintaining them.
The real economy isn’t what you expect
Our workforce has changed dramatically in the past 25 years and its evolution continues in some surprising areas.
Business As Usual: Ireland emerges from recession … US housing sector is cactus …
A growing economy has led Ireland out of recession, the housing market in the US is still in a bad way and the Slovakia government is a new worry for Europe.
Slowdown in March as economy goes off the boil
If it wasn’t for another strong quarter of government spending, especially the federal schools program, the Australian economy might have been hard pressed to remain on the positive side of the ledger.
Interest rates send building approvals into a tailspin
A very sharp slump in building approvals will keep the Reserve Bank’s hands from the interest rate lever later today and for several more months as the size of the fall has come as a surprise.
Business As Usual: Rosy future for capex … Apple eats Microsoft … Club Austerity’s newest member …
Taxpayers to chip in for Foster’s, Foster’s write-offs could total $2.5 billion, UK’s Channel Five on the market and BSkyB close to buying Virgin Media TV and Apple takes the most-valuable title.
Central bank calls for CPI to be reported monthly
The Reserve Bank has called for the Australian Bureau of Statistics to move the Consumer Price Index to a more frequent publication schedule, urging that it be published monthly, rather than quarterly.
Bill to bring new pressure to online predators
Independent South Australian senator Nick Xenophon intends to introduce a bill which would make it an offence for an adult to misrepresent their age online for the purpose of meeting minors, writes Stubborn Mule.
Political snippets: What inflationary pressures?
Usually there is nothing more interesting crashing a politician’s event than a greenie in a koala suit. Except, when it’s your fame hungry ex-lover. Plus, pollies avoiding shopping centres and hip-hop meets the holocaust.
