Housing affordability continues to be a major concern in Australia and not just for would-be first home buyers. It also affects pre-retirees forced to work longer to repay bigger mortgages and older Australians unable to downsize from large family homes due to a lack of affordable options. The latest 2016 Census revealed a gradual decline […]
Summary The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Board met on 4 July and left the official cash rate on hold at 1.5%, as widely expected. There has been no change in the official cash rate since August 2016. After weakness in May, the Australian dollar was stronger over the month, supported by gains in bulk […]
It’s almost a decade since the global financial crisis created havoc in financial markets. While the global economy continues to show signs of recovery, political uncertainty in Europe and the United States is creating fresh confusion on global markets as investors wait to see how current events play out. It started just over a year […]
Summary The Reserve Bank of Australia Board met on 2 May 2017 and left the official cash rate on hold at 1.5%. There has been no change in the official cash rate since August 2016. The Federal Government released its 2017/18 Budget, resetting its Budget and economic narrative to focus on “fairness, security and opportunity”. The Australian […]
From the 1st of July the most that can be contributed to super for which you can claim a tax deduction is $25,000. This includes the money that your employer is paying through super guarantee charge (SGC). So if your employer pays $10,000 per annum in SGC on your behalf, then the most you can […]
At first glance, investing can seem daunting. So much complex information and little time to absorb and act on it when you’re busy getting on with life. It’s little wonder that so many of us put it in the too hard basket. The good news is that investing doesn’t need to be hard. The basic […]
The Budget promises to deliver a strong economy, more jobs, guaranteed essential services and the government living within its means, so what does this mean to you? Encouraging tax cuts There’s immediate relief for Australians on low to middle incomes, as well as light at the end of the tunnel for higher-income earners. Those […]
Getting the right balance Treasurer Scott Morrison’s first budget of the Coalition’s second term in office marked a significant shift in tone from the tough stance of its three previous budgets. Gone is the mantra of debt and deficit. Instead the Treasurer has balanced the government’s resolve to live within its means with promises to […]
The Federal Government has turned the spending tap back on, signalling the end of the revenue drought since the GFC and the end of the mining investment boom. As widely anticipated, Treasurer Scott Morrison’s third Budget has cut income taxes, boosted support for senior Australians, delivered $24.5 billion of new infrastructure spending and promised […]
Summary The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Board met on 7 March 2017 and as widely expected, left the official cash rate on hold at 1.5%. There has been no change in the official cash rate since August 2016. The strength in the housing market was reinforced by March month end figures from CoreLogic showing […]