Home Management Matters RBA clears way for an August election by keeping rates on hold

RBA clears way for an August election by keeping rates on hold

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Talking Business is a podcast review of the Australian economy, presented by seasoned business journalists Leon Gettler and Garry Barker, produced in association with the RMIT College of Business. It features interviews with prominent business leaders and expert analysis from RMIT academics.

The economy, the election, the week in business

In this podcast:

  • Leon and Garry look at how the RBA has cleared the way for an August election by keeping rates on hold at 4.5%.
  • Inflation is building a head of steam with the latest jobs figures showing unemployment now at 5.1% and the ANZ jobs series showing more companies are hiring.
  • Figures from the TD Securities-Melbourne Institute show inflation now at 3.6%.
  • Construction activity has fallen away.
  • The Federal Government’s deal with the miners will cost taxpayers $35 billion, according to Goldman Sachs JB Were.
  • Meanwhile, NAB chief Cameron Clyne says the next 12 months will be “rocky” as institutional investors say weak consumer spending and sovereign risk are the big concerns in the lead up to the August reporting season.
  • The viability of public floats this year is in doubt following the shelving of the Valemus IPO.
  • Australia posts its biggest monthly trade surplus since March 2009 on the back of strong iron ore and coal prices.
  • Virgin Blue co-founder and former CEO Brett Godfrey joins arch rival former Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon on the Tourism Australia board.
  • Australia’s superannuation system is in for a major overhaul with a more interventionist approach following the Cooper report.
  • Asian investors are targeting Australian companies.
  • More SMEs are collapsing with the number entering external administration up 19.4%.
  • Home buyers need to save more now to get a house, according to a BankWest report. They need to save 10% more.
  • Boral flags a new strategic direction with plans to raise nearly $500 million.
  • Employers are more gloomy about the future according to Dun&Bradstreet.
  • NAB and Leighton are suing Warner Brothers, claiming they did not get the money they were owed for the 1999 hit The Matrix.
  • Sales of new cars a a record high, with sales of SUVs up 30.9%.
  • Sigma contemplates a reduced takeover offer from South African company Aspen.

Press play to listen.

[podcast]http://itunesu.its.rmit.edu.au/sites/default/files/itunesmedia/tlkbus24c.mp3[/podcast]

Talking Business Podcasts on iTunes

Garry Barker and Leon Gettler both have established careers with ‘The Age’ newspaper, where Garry Barker is its Technology Editor, and Leon Gettler is a Senior Business Journalist. Gettler also works freelance on a number of other publications.

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