Monetary policy
Hot Take: A hawkish cut
The RBA has cautiously cut rates, but was it a mistake? Implications for the federal election and a warning from America.
Monetary policy
Inflation
Hot Take: Rate cuts are coming soon
The December quarter CPI inflation data were softer than expected.
Monetary policy
Hot Take: Australia's narrowing path
A new report warns Australia's path to economic stability hinges on tackling inflation, tax reform, and curbing overspending.
Monetary policy
High interest rates are here to stay
Persistent inflation, sluggish productivity growth and expansionary fiscal policy have trapped Australia in a precarious economic position, with big implications for the next federal election.
Monetary policy
Simply bananas
Monetary policy missteps can arise when journalists and politicians confuse relative price movements for inflation, leading to misguided calls for rate cuts based on things like food price fluctuations rather than the underlying drivers of inflation.
Housing
The Greens are deeply unserious
The Labor government's potential deal with the Greens to eliminate negative gearing and reduce the capital gains tax discount may ultimately be more symbolic than effective in tackling Australia's housing affordability crisis.
Inflation
Gittins it wrong on inflation
Ross Gittins' recent column misunderstands basic economics, resulting in a confused narrative that oversimplifies inflation, misreads corporate profits, and misinterprets the relationship between industry concentration and competition.
Monetary policy
False prophets, forward guidance, and failed lessons
The RBA's conflicting statements on uncertainty and accountability expose a dangerous pattern of misguided forward guidance and unlearned lessons, threatening its credibility and effectiveness in controlling inflation.
Monetary policy
Jim Chalmers' Nixon moment
As the Australian government attempts to manipulate inflation metrics through targeted spending, the RBA finds itself in a balancing act between economic stability and political pressure, echoing historical tensions between Nixon and the Fed.
Inflation
Bad news is bad news again
A closer look at the recent market rout reveals underlying concerns about Australia's economy, and that the RBA's next moves will be as crucial as ever.
Inflation
Why the RBA should hold steady
It's probably too late in the cycle to hike rates any further when what's desperately needed is tax, spending and regulatory reform.
Monetary policy
An independent RBA is better than the alternative
An independent Reserve Bank of Australia is crucial for economic stability and low inflation. However, a big-spending Budget and attempts to politicise the central bank would jeopardise its independence, leading to higher inflation.