Economy ends 2020 with a bang but still hurting from pandemic

Economy ends 2020 with a bang but still hurting from pandemic

The economy expanded by 3.1 per cent in the final three months of 2020 as Victoria re-opened and consumers started to spend.

  • byShane Wright andJennifer Duke

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RBA to keep rates low until Australians get decent pay rise

RBA to keep rates low until Australians get decent pay rise

The central bank has made clear it will not lift interest rates until it sees sustainable strong wages growth and low unemployment.

  • byShane Wright
The reported demise of the nation’s CBDs greatly exaggerated:research

The reported demise of the nation’s CBDs greatly exaggerated:research

The demise of the CBD is greatly exaggerated,according to PwC,which says a new wave of activity is likely for our most economically important areas.

  • byShane Wright andAnna Patty
How will we pay for the JobSeeker rise? The answer shows the budget beat is changing
Analysis
Scope survey

How will we pay for the JobSeeker rise? The answer shows the budget beat is changing

It may not be up there with Bob Dylan going electric,but the way the Morrison government handled a $9 billion spending plan could signal a change in budget politics.

  • byShane Wright
Fix jobs before budget repair:top economists warn of big deficits into 2030s
Exclusive
Scope survey

Fix jobs before budget repair:top economists warn of big deficits into 2030s

Huge budget deficits will dog every federal government into the 2030s and leave the nation with $1.4 trillion of debt,according to economists.

  • byShane Wright andJennifer Duke
Budget numbers improve but bottom line still deeply red

Budget numbers improve but bottom line still deeply red

Finance Department figures show the budget is ahead of mid-year expectations but the government is still on track for the largest deficit in history.

  • byShane Wright
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Workers get wages back but wage growth still at record lows

Workers get wages back but wage growth still at record lows

Wage growth remains at a record low,but for some workers who suffered early pandemic pay cuts there was good news with their wages coming back up.

  • byShane Wright
Fairness in Australia - an extra cup of coffee a day
Analysis
JobSeeker

Fairness in Australia - an extra cup of coffee a day

The debate over a higher JobSeeker payment has been dominated by fairness. It turns out a cheap cup of coffee is where fairness meets the budget bottom line.

  • byShane Wright
House prices roar back to life as pandemic fails to cure affordability crisis

House prices roar back to life as pandemic fails to cure affordability crisis

As the property market shrugs of the COVID-19 recession and prices take off,experts say Australia’s housing affordability crisis is here to stay.

  • byNoel Towell andRebecca Krispin
Falling jobless rate lifts hopes of swifter recession recovery

Falling jobless rate lifts hopes of swifter recession recovery

New figures show the national jobless rate fell again,dropping to 6.4 per cent in January,despite the month’s COVID-related closures.

  • byShane Wright andJennifer Duke
Extra spending will weigh on budget for years

Extra spending will weigh on budget for years

The Morrison government has promised targeted and temporary spending,but figures show the recession will weigh on budget spending for years.

  • byShane Wright