Matt Grudnoff
Matt Grudnoff is senior economist at the Australia Institute. He has published widely on a multitude of subjects, including taxation, the federal Budget, poverty & inequality, free trade agreements, housing affordability, energy economics and climate change.
RBA holds rates as markets overreact to a blip, not an ongoing trend
In a decision that surprised no one, the RBA board left rates on hold in their last meeting of the year. The market’s expectations about what might happen to interest rates next year have been swinging around wildly in recent months. It has shifted from thinking there will be several cuts to now predicting increases.
Weaker-than-expected GDP should end talk of budget cuts and rate hikes
Latest ABS data shows the economy is weaker than expected. Hopefully this will kill off talks of budget cuts and higher interest rates. Otherwise, the Australian economy could be in for a bumpy ride.
GDP figures show economy growing more slowly than expected
The economy grew more slowly than expected. In the September 2025 quarter economic growth was 0.4%, below forecasts of 0.7%. Growth over the last year was 2.1%.
New change by Australia's financial regulator could make housing more affordable
APRA has just announced that it is going to start restricting lending that mainly goes to property investors.
