Wednesday, 6 September 2023

Australia: Economy Slows Again as Consumers Spend Less | The Business | ABC News

Sep 6, 2023 | Australia's economy has contracted again. Minus immigration, the country's GDP is showing a per person recession for the average Australian. Consumers are saving and spending less as higher interest rates and prices see consumers pull back. Spending on discretionary items continues to fall. The release of the economic data comes a day after the Reserve Bank left the cash rate unchanged at 4.1 per cent for a third consecutive month. But 12 interest rate rises between May last year and June this year is squeezing many households. Economists expect the RBA will now stay on hold, and there may even be rate cuts by next year.