The 2026 Federal Budget includes housing reforms, tax changes and cost-of-living support - but what does it actually mean for your wallet? Here are the measures everyday Australians should know.
We adjust the timing of our rates view given the RBA’s language and forecasts. Two hikes still expected given our own forecast review and Middle East developments this week.
Westpac Chief Economist Luci Ellis unpacks what the RBA’s latest move really tells us about inflation, interest rates and the growing uncertainty ahead, as global pressures complicate the path forward.
The cash rate has increased to 4.35 per cent from 4.10 per cent. RBA Governor Michele Bullock grappled with two truths: a “necessary” hike that has meant “Australians are poorer... [but] the trade-off is much worse”.
Westpac has reported its 2026 Half Year Result, with CEO Anthony Miller pointing to customer resilience and continued momentum despite global uncertainty.
Fuel prices have pushed inflation back to its fastest pace in more than two years and the pressure is spreading. Westpac chief economist Luci Ellis says rising costs beyond petrol leave the RBA little room to delay its next move.
Westpac’s rollout of Microsoft Copilot to 35,000 staff is a bet on people, says CEO Anthony Miller. Used well and at scale, he believes AI could help lift productivity and ambition across Australia.
Australian drivers are spending less on fuel for the first time since the Iran war began. New Westpac data suggests households are getting some help at the pump, but budgets remain under pressure.
From coffee to call-out fees, fuel costs are starting to appear in places consumers don’t expect. Westpac economics says the concern for the RBA is whether those increases become broader - and harder to unwind.
You might not need a Paris stopover for a good fromagerie fix anymore. Australia’s trade deal with the EU is reshaping how European cheese lands on local shelves, with consequences reaching beyond a curated cheese board.
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