Floods will have no impact on interest rates

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Reserve Bank Board meeting The Reserve Bank Board has left the cash rate at 4.75 per cent at its first meeting for 2011. The next meeting is on March 1

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Weekly market & economic update 28 January 2011

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Headline developments The Australian Government announced that it needs around $5.6bn to help rebuild flood affected areas and that it will source $1.8bn of this from a temporary levy on

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Flood levy proposed – but is it necessary?

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Economic issues The Prime Minister has proposed a levy on higher-income Australians to assist in meeting the damage bill from the east coast floods. The levy will apply in 2011/12

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Wealth hits record highs; Debt slides again

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Modellers’ Database: Wealth & debt Wealth is at record highs. Wealth held by Australians in property, shares and other assets hit record highs at the end of September. The latest

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Weekly market & economic update – 21 January 2011

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Headline developments An acceleration in Chinese economic growth in the December quarter to an estimated annualised pace of around 12% along with ongoing inflation worries have reinforced the case for

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The implications of the floods for Australia

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Key points Like the fires of two years ago the floods have wrought terrible tragedy in terms of loss of life and disruption to people’s lives. Beyond the human suffering

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Significant uncertainty ahead for investors after Queensland floods

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Insurance, transport and retail worst sectors hit The Australian insurance sector is one of a number of sectors that faces a significantly uncertain outlook following the devastating Queensland floods, according

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Floods disaster dents confidence

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Consumer sentiment The Westpac/Melbourne Institute index of consumer confidence fell sharply in the latest month as the flood disaster in Queensland impacted sentiment. The index fell by 5.7 per cent

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AFA Foundation Launches Queensland Flood Appeal

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The Association of Financial Advisers’ charitable foundation – the AFA Foundation has launched an appeal for victims of the Queensland floods. AFA Foundation Chair, Brian Boggs said, “It is truly

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Floods: Weighing up the costs

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Economic impact of floods The east coast floods were caused by the La Niña weather event. La Niña will continue until at least March. El Niño and La Niña are

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