John Kehoe

The Reserve Bank board has noticed that parts of the economy such as consumer spending and wage growth have been a bit softer than anticipated.

Donald Trump imposing trade tariffs on Australia would have very little effect on the economy but a US-China trade war would create much bigger risks, Reserve Bank deputy governor Andrew Hauser says.

The unemployment rate fell to 3.9 per cent in November, extending a surprisingly strong run of jobs reports that suggest the labour market remains tight despite a slowing economy.

Opinion Australia is sleepwalking to stagnant living standards unless we adopt an agenda that restrains government and allows the private sector to flourish, writes John Kehoe.

Economists say the Reserve Bank of Australia could allow a lower unemployment rate than previously thought without stoking inflation after the jobless rate dropped to 3.9 per cent this week.

Australian National University professor Renée Fry-McKibbin and former Bendigo and Adelaide Bank boss Marnie Baker have been appointed to the Reserve

Opinion Economics editor Treasurer Jim Chalmers has selected two credible new Reserve Bank of Australia monetary policy board members

Opinion Despite near-record government revenues, a spending surge is causing a big blowout in budget deficits over future years.

Opinion There is a quirk in the measurement of underlying inflation in the December quarter that may put pressure on the RBA to cut interest rates early next year.

The population is forecast to hit 31 million in a decade, as younger migrants pay for the increasing number of older people in aged care and the health system.