“I think Australia has absolutely nothing to hide but cooperation will bring a cost”, says Michelle Grattan on the government cooperating with the inquiry into the Mueller inquiry.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
In many countries people are now paying more for bonds than they will receive at maturity. These negative interest rates should make it a good time for investment.
Jacqui Lambie with Centre Alliance senators, who threw their support behind the government’s $158 billion income tax cuts, guaranteeing the package will become law.
Sam Mooy/AAP
After a hectic first week for the new parliament, Michelle Grattan speaks with Deep Saini about Jacqui Lambie’s role in helping pass the government’s tax cuts, and a further cut to interest rates - now 1%.
Jacqui Lambie celebrates the passing of the $158 billion tax cuts with Centre Alliance senators.
Lukas Coch/AAP
The first week of the new parliament ends on a high for the government, with its $158 billion tax cut package passed, and the first stage of tax relief ready to flow in a week or so.
Two cuts in a row, and a good chance of more to come.
Brendan Esposito/AAP
The Fed is in a tricky position as it signals it may soon cut interest rates to boost the economy, which also risks spurring runaway inflation and even an economic downturn.
Sluggish jobs growth may compel Federal Reserve Board Chair Powell to take action.
Reuters/Yuri Gripas
The Fed said it’s ready to act to ‘sustain the expansion.’ The latest jobs report suggests it may have to act soon.
Our standard economic model says when labour is scarce, the cost of labour should increase. But something is broken. This is not happening.
www.shutterstock.com
Peter Martin, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
The Reserve Bank cut interest rates on Tuesday because we weren’t spending or pushing up prices at the rate it wanted. On Wednesday we might find things are worse than it thought.
Credit cards sometimes charge exceptionally high interest rates.
Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com