Economy

The OECD has revealed the risks of a prolonged conflict in the Middle East, with the conflict already testing economic resilience through global supply chains and energy shocks.

Conflict in West Asia has thrust Australia into an unpredictable new business cycle, Deloitte Access Economics has warned in its latest quarterly business outlook.

The Productivity Commission has doubled down on its calls for government policy action after labour productivity continued to disappoint in the December 2025 quarter.

The US-Israel attack on Iran and the subsequent regional and geopolitical conflict that has ensued have disrupted approximately 20 per cent of the global supply of oil and gas, thereby significantly increasing prices for ...

Insolvency volumes stabilised in the first half of the financial year, but increased pressures on businesses have sparked fears that insolvencies could rise again this year, says Insolvency Australia.

Insolvency rates for businesses overall have returned to long-run averages but remain elevated in certain industries, according to a report by the central bank.

Cost pressures are expected to increase for some businesses over the period ahead but many businesses remain well placed to manage these, the latest Financial Stability Review has found.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.3 per cent, despite the number of employed people growing by 49,000.

Against the backdrop of the war in the Middle East, economists are confident that the RBA’s decision to hike the cash rate will happen again at its next meeting.

Interest rates will increase again this month following a previous rate rise in February.