Looking from the outside in, overthinking some issues, underthinking others. Pedestrian/driver at intersections.
Joined February 2012
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Humbly suggest RBA will be sending a message to the government (as opposed to the public at large) with a potential rise next week.
I think Chalmers & co may be finally be starting to get the message, but that is to be confirmed.
House price impacts on consumer overstated imo.
RBA agitprop.
Inflation too high. Unemployment too low. House price falls are as expected.
This is the theme of recent high profile public comments from the RBA, with the latest inflation data likely to reinforce its mantra about the need for yet higher interest rates.
Petrol, electricity & tobacco were influential in the latest inflation rate.
A sensible central bank would use its public comments to sooth the community that the inflation shock will pass with current monetary policy settings as these current drivers wash out of the data in the next couple of quarters.
youtube.com/watch?v=qX_SvEMu…
I think the massive generational build up in equity (via housing prices) provides a much larger buffer to withstand house price falls than economists account.
Unemployment much bigger factor, the starting position is strong, government has options & household debt relatively low
Whatever your position is, this type of fear mongering (+ aged care workers et al) suggests the argument is publicly lost.
"Hey kids, the food & rides we overpay for, we might have to do without. We'll drive today & pick it up ourselves" (kids audibly crying in the background)
Rideshare, food delivery prices could spike under Coalition's plan but a top labour economist says reducing the ballooning stock of temporary migrants could boost productivity because firms may be encouraged to innovate instead of hiring low-wage workers smh.com.au/politics/federal/…
Look I'm on TV again ... while wondering why their ceiling is 10%.
btw - not a single basket of items would be cheaper in this utopic situation ... Ellen knows this too, but fame & infamy are more important (to all Greens MPs)
Grocery prices are out of control. Since 2019, they’ve risen by 31% 🛒📈
Meanwhile, this year Coles & Woolworths pocketed a record $2.23 billion - in just six months!
The Vic Greens will take 30% off your essential groceries by introducing publicly-owned, local supermarkets.
Readers added context they thought people might want to know
Coles and Woolworths supermarket profits have risen mostly because of larger sales volumes, not because they've dramatically widened margins. Their reported EBIT margins have remained within a relatively tight band around 4-5% over recent years.
finbox.com/ASX:COL/explor…
Craving attention & fame. The 10% ceiling remains ...
“Fair Go Grocers would save consumers as much as 22% on the average shop, or $60 a week for a four-person household. Heavy discounts would be put in place for essentials.”
theguardian.com/australia-ne…
If in doubt, blame Australians. What a government we have leading us.
The main reason we need more homes is that Australians are choosing smaller households. Our migration changes are about prioritising skilled workers in health care, aged care, agriculture and construction. My chat with Ross Solly on ABC Canberra: andrewleigh.com/transcript_a… #auspol
Inflation & commodity prices will do quite a bit to improve the budget on the revenue side. We will get an update in November confirming.
Now for spending, who knows ... states will have their hands out & the taxpayer will have their own demands
I feel a bit of sympathy for the @RamsNFL missing the opportunity to experience more of Australia this trip deserved.
Will make for a talking point post game, but the team & staff have missed out here too.
The @49ers organisation & visiting fans will remember the trip fondly.
Smoking rates are on the rise again after "health authorities" have had their favoured policies implemented.
The ignorance here (and repeated by many) is something to behold, & now smoking is cheap(er) again.
"remember the days before the fire bombings?"
The illicit tobacco industry is a policing and health issue, not a tax one.
66 Australians die every day from tobacco smoking. If the excise is cut and cigarettes are cheaper, people will smoke more.
We should deal with illicit tobacco as we do with illegal alcohol, drugs and firearms - by strong border controls and effective policing.
abc.net.au/news/2026-09-03/c…
Insulation
One aspect of the strength in household spending growth is the increased rate of superannuation drawdowns that have increased dramatically in the post-pandemic period arguably to cope with cost of living increases. Could also be a bit of "bank of Mum & Dad" at work as well.
It is notable that most of the acceleration in drawdowns is in lump sums and these do not count in national accounts household income measures (like regular pension payments do) but rather are seen as a financial transaction running down the household balance sheet.
The power of compounding.
In the last 5 months, annual inflation has had the following evolution:
4.6%
4.2%
4.0%
3.8%
3.5%
... and the contempible clowns have their shit bent by the Treasurer saying inflation has moderated
How pathetic are these fools who obviously hate Labor. That's fine, but chucking a wobbly over facts is embarrasing
Probably a good thing.
It’s poorly understood that many (not all) age pensioners are in a very strong financial position compared to working age persons. theaustralian.com.au/health/…
I'm not sure this conveys the message desired ...
If you need more evidence that our HECS system is broken, here it is.
More and more people are reaching retirement while still carrying a HECS debt. With the price of degrees continuing to rise, and indexation being applied before HECS repayments are taken into account, the cost of education is an increasing burden for students and graduates.
We need to fix HECS.
crikey.com.au/2026/08/03/hec…
So, happened to be in a bus that hit a pedestrian today … quite a disturbing scene, the wait for the ambulance crews certainly creates anxiety. Think/hope the pedestrian will be ok but probably in hospital a while
Don’t think driver was at fault, so will be tough for her too ..
My broncos won tonight, and their season is by no means “back on track” but I will relish in this victory tonight & go to bed happy.