Economy

Big four firm Deloitte has flagged a growing risk appetite and profit expectations for Australia’s chief financial officers.

Australia will be in deficit for at least the next decade in the face of “growing, unavoidable spending pressures,” Treasury has said.

Ahead of today’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has provided some foreshadowing on what we can expect.

As Australia looks to boost its investment and productivity levels, the government has revealed it will look to strengthen consumer protections and stability in the superannuation and financial services sectors.

Inflation driven by government policy could force the RBA to squeeze Australia’s market sector, Westpac’s chief economist has warned.

While private sector investment picked up in September, economists warn that Australian businesses would need to invest more to keep the economy afloat in 2026.

Inflation exceeded expectations in October, but economists noted that the transition from quarterly to monthly indicators had clouded the outlook temporarily.

The private sector is having to “pick up the slack” as Australia’s unemployment rate is beginning to steadily climb as the government-led job boom slows down.

Wage growth was steady in the September quarter, with a slight slowdown in private sector growth offset by public sector resilience.

Andrew Leigh, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, has underscored the importance of Australia’s insolvency system in supporting productivity.