Oliver’s Insights: Australian budget – back to surplus, the great fiscal switch

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The 2012-13 Federal Budget is about one thing: returning the budget to surplus on schedule and doing it in a way that minimises the negative impact on the economy and... Read more continue reading

CommSec Budget 2012 chart pack

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The Federal Budget is hardly the most riveting document you are ever likely to read. Sure you know it’s important, but the problem is that it’s a huge document with... Read more continue reading

Australia’s budget 2012: surplus or bust

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The Federal Budget is hardly the most riveting document you are ever likely to read. Sure you know it’s important, but the problem is that it’s a huge document with... Read more continue reading

Record deflation prompts Aussies to spend

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Retail spending rose by 0.9 per cent in March – the strongest gain in 11 months. After adjusting for inflation, retail trade rose by 1.8 per cent in the March... Read more continue reading

Deficit on track, but surplus in 2012/13 is hard work

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On current figuring the Government will go close to achieving its goal of a budget deficit just over $37 billion this financial year, representing just over 2.5 per cent of... Read more continue reading

Weekly economic & market update

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The past week was one of “risk off” for global markets as concerns about Europe remain (particularly with French and Greek elections likely to further question Europe’s ability to solve... Read more continue reading

Beer consumption hits 65-year low

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Beer consumption has hit a 65-year low. The apparent consumption of alcohol consumed as beer fell from 4.45 litres to 4.23 litres per person, in 2010/11- the lowest result since... Read more continue reading

RBA says it’s time to muscle up

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The Reserve Bank Board cut the official cash rate by 50 basis points (half of a percentage point) to 3.75 per cent. The cash rate is at the lowest level... Read more continue reading

RBA cuts by 50bps

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For some time our view has been that Australian interest rates need to be lower. The Reserve Bank at its last meeting seemed to be finally coming around to this... Read more continue reading

Ho-hum job market

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If anyone was wondering whether the economic growth figures properly reflected what was going on in Australia, they had the answer in the latest jobs data. The job market is... Read more continue reading