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.
If the Government's top priority is productivity, slashing the CSIRO budget does not make sense
Research and development is one of the major drivers of productivity and the CSIRO has a long track record of making productivity enhancing breakthroughs.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority is worried about investor lending for the first time in 15 years
While vulnerabilities in the financial markets is not a good thing, strangely this could help first home buyers get into a home of their own.
The Wage Price Index (WPI) shows wages are up. So why doesn't it feel that way?
The latest figures from the ABS show wages are growing at a reasonable rate, but a deeper look shows a big problem might be about to bite Australian workers.
Gas is the problem not the solution
People like to say that gas is needed as a bridging fuel to help us get to net zero. They claim that gas will speed up the transition to renewables. No one loves this argument more than the WA Premier Roger Cook.
Big uptake of Government’s 5% deposit scheme could be increasing house prices
There are a number of factors effecting house prices. But, what is for certain is housing is becoming less affordable, strange given the last election was largely fought on policies that promised to make it more affordable.
The Senate is about to have an inquiry into the leading driver of expensive housing
The Greens, with the support of the Coalition, have established a Senate inquiry into the capital gains tax (CGT) discount. The CGT discount is an enormous tax concession that goes to people who buy investment properties.
Households to get free electricity because of renewable generation
Renewables are the cheapest form of electricity generation, and this is being highlighted by the fact that soon electricity will be free for 3 hours a day.
Latest data shows housing becoming less affordable
Since the Federal Election, which was fought on who could make housing more affordable, housing has become even less affordable.
Two growing tax loopholes that are exploited by the rich – and how to plug the leaks
Those on million-dollar incomes should not be able to manipulate the tax system to avoid paying their fair share.
New investigation reveals that child abuse happens more frequently at for-profit childcare centres
Parents should expect that when they send their kids to childcare that they are safe and receiving top quality education and care. This is not consistent with the profit motive.
Three graphs that show why the RBA was wrong not to cut rates
The RBA got it wrong when it decided to leave rates on hold at its September meeting. Here are the three important graphs that show why.
US Federal Reserve cuts rates: how does this affect Australia?
If things get worse and the US economy falls into a recession, it is possible that it will have a more significant impact on our economy.
GDP figures show early signs economy is recovering
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the latest National Account figures on Wednesday. It shows early signs that the economy is recovering.
Inflation was up this quarter, but that doesn't mean its back
The monthly inflation figures for July were released on Wednesday, with annual inflation jumping from 1.9% to 2.8%. So, does this mean that inflation is back?
When targeting inflation, the RBA misses more often than it hits
With the fight against high inflation now over, will the Reserve Bank fail to learn the lessons of the past and allow inflation to fall below 2%?
One way to improve the 'dumpster fire of dumb stuff' which is Australia’s housing policy
Everyone agrees we need to do something about housing in Australia. But first we need to ask a very obvious, but often ignored question: what is housing is for?
