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Households winding back discretionary spending

Household spending has fallen for the first time in 17 months as cost of living pressures and rising interest rates hit hard. The CommBank Household Spending Insights

Consumer confidence hits 3-year low

Consumer confidence has hit the lowest level since 2023, while wages hold steady and the job market remains strong, according to surveys by major banks. The ANZ-Roy

Qld house prices jump nearly 14% in a single year

The average price of a Queensland dwelling jumped by nearly 14 percent during 2025. In the December quarter alone, the average price of a dwelling in the state rose 4.8

Motorists watching bowser with trepidation

By Samantha Hepburn Many Australians might be watching the price at the fuel bowser with more trepidation than usual. The crisis in the Middle East has caused global

Global borrowings hit a record $27 trillion in 2025

Borrowings by governments and companies hit a record $US27 trillion in 2025, according to an OECD report released this week. The OECD Global Debt Report said debt

South-East Queensland fuel hikes unjust – RACQ

The RACQ has called out major fuel retailers for pumping up their prices, saying the conflict in the Middle East should not be to blame. Queensland’s peak motoring

Oil price shock a risk for inflation and economic growth

By Stella Huangfu Global oil markets have reacted swiftly to escalating tensions in the Middle East as the United States and Israel continue their assault on

Accountants warn against government red tape obsession

Australia’s peak accounting body has urged governments to stop treating increased regulations as the default response to every issue. CPA Australia, in a statement

The hidden consumer traps in ‘free’ shipping

By Adrian Camilleri You’re scrolling through an online retailer, like Amazon, Shein or eBay, and spot a shirt on sale for $40. You add it to your cart, but at

Mixed economic growth results across the OECD

Economic growth is patchy across industrialised countries with less than half recording a lift in the final quarter of 2025. Figures released by the OECD show that seven

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