Rising interest rates have been blamed for a downturn in housing approvals, but tax changes in the federal budget could lead to an uptick.
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed the total number of dwellings approved in April fell...[Read More]
Falling fuel prices bolster hopes for RBA rate reprieve
28 May
A softer-than-expected inflation result will give the Reserve Bank a little more space to leave interest rates on hold, but another hike is not off the cards yet.
Australia’s annual headline inflation rate fell to 4.2 per cent in April, from 4.6...[Read More]
Budget measures could cut house prices by 10 per cent
28 May
The budget’s tax whack on property investors will accelerate a housing slowdown caused by interest rate hikes, potentially causing the biggest downturn in more than 40 years.
Home price growth was already slowing nationwide, with outright falls in...[Read More]
Jobless jump, Iran war shoot down fears of rate rise
28 May
The likelihood of a rate hike in June has shrunk after a surprise jump in the unemployment rate showed the Iran war is having a material impact on Australia’s economy.
While bad news for workers, the rise in the jobless rate from 4.3 per cent to...[Read More]
Labor happy with softer housing market since budget
27 May
Softer auction rates are a sign tax changes in the federal budget are making things easier for first home buyers, the housing minister says, as Labor weathered another day of criticism from investors and entrepreneurs.
Auction clearance rates held...[Read More]
Mixed results from first post-budget auction weekend
21 May
All eyes were on the auction market to see the response to negative gearing and capital gains tax changes in the first weekend after the federal budget.
The results were mixed.
The volume of homes that went to auction across the capital cities fell...[Read More]
Rates revelation: why RBA dissenter voted against hike
21 May
The Reserve Bank’s lone dissenter against a rate rise argued interest rates were already high enough to get inflation back under control, before being overruled by the rest of the central bank’s board.
Minutes of the May 5 meeting, released on...[Read More]
Middle ring could be ‘hollowed out’ by tax overhaul
20 May
Rental supplies in the middle ring of Australian capital cities could be hollowed out by changes to investor tax concessions in the federal budget.
Real estate agents expect investor interest in established properties to crater after Tuesday’s...[Read More]
How housing became a generational budget battleground
20 May
Young homeowner Mika likes Jim Chalmers’ housing policies but the treasurer’s preferred choice of coffee is a problem.
“Does anyone know how to make a long black?” she asks media and ministerial staff waiting in her small Canberra apartment...[Read More]
Budget spending stokes fears of further rate rise pain
14 May
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is defending an extra $18 billion in government spending next financial year despite warnings it will make the Reserve Bank’s fight against inflation harder.
The federal budget on Tuesday revealed government spending will...[Read More]
Budget lacks energy for big renewable project reforms
13 May
Australia’s growing throng of solar panels, batteries and electric cars will be managed by a new regulator in a multimillion-dollar budget commitment welcomed by investment and climate groups.
The change will come in addition to support for...[Read More]
Anthony Albanese is playing “gutsy” politics with sweeping changes to tax concessions for landlords but risks offending established investors who may not have expected the overhaul, an expert in politics says.
From July 2027, negative gearing...[Read More]
Consumers hang tough despite echoes of COVID headwinds
7 May
Australian consumers are showing resilience in the face of rising interest rates, fuel prices and other costs, according to credit agency data.
Despite the headwinds, strong momentum in consumer activity in the first quarter of 2026 had provided a...[Read More]
PM rubbishes budget tax speculation as home prices slow
6 May
Tax changes in the upcoming budget are designed to help young people own a home, the prime minister says, as a downturn in Australia’s largest property markets gathers steam.
Asked about reported changes to negative gearing and the capital gains...[Read More]
Worse to come as oil crisis adds fuel to rate-pain fire
30 April
Australia’s headline inflation rate has climbed to a two-and-a-half year high due to the Iran war but Treasurer Jim Chalmers warns the worst is yet to come.
The jump in the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ annual consumer price index, to 4.6 per...[Read More]
