Economy

WA forecastIron ore to keep worst of pandemic fallout at bay

WA is poised to outperform the national economy during the coronavirus pandemic but will still succumb to the forces driving the wider Australian economy into recession, a new report predicts.

Danielle Le Messurier

Economy boostGreen hub means more trees and jobs in SW

Red tape will be slashed to make it easier for farm forestry projects to start in the South West under a new Federal Government scheme aimed at creating jobs and meeting emission reduction targets.

Annabel Hennessy

Next chapterThe touching story behind Alan Langford’s retirement

INSIDER: Ben Harvey finds out what’s next for Bankwest’s chief economist Alan Langford, whose face and voice have become synonymous with economic catastrophe and financial euphoria.

Ben Harvey

Imports fallAustralia’s trade surplus up 2pc in May

Imports of consumption goods was steeply lower, down 14 per cent to $8.9b.

Derek Rose

FARE SALEVirgin slashes fares to $69 as Qantas announces new flights

Virgin has launched a 12-hour comeback sale, slashing domestic fares as low as $69 as Qantas announces a direct flight into tourism hotspot Byron Bay and regional hub Orange.

Georgia Clark, Maria Bervanakis, David Mills

Cash incentiveState offers $6000 for firms to hire apprentice

Up to $6000 in financial support is now available to WA employers who take on a displaced apprentice or trainee.

Peter Law

exclusive
exclusive
Grim outlook
exclusive
Hard border turns off east coast cash

Almost two-thirds of WA businesses say the lack of interstate visitors is having a negative impact on their operations.

Josh Zimmerman

Just in timeBroadband network kept nation working amid virus crisis

Australia would have been in a ‘dire position’ when COVID-19 hit had it not been for the National Broadband Network supporting the country’s heightened digital demands, says its CEO.

Meilin Chew

Smart thinkingInnovation helps hardest hit beat the COVID curse

Necessity has proved to be the mother of invention, with businesses among the sectors hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic also revealed to be the most innovative this year.

Meilin Chew

ExclusiveThird of businesses fear for survival after JobKeeper

Retail, accommodation and food services such as cafes and restaurants are not confident they can continue to operate without wage support.

Peter Law

Latest pulseConsumer confidence takes a hit amid rising COVID cases

The rise of coronavirus cases in Victoria has taken a toll on consumer confidence, according to the latest ANZ-Roy Morgan survey.

Meilin Chew

In demandWhere to find WA’s jobs amid coronavirus crisis

The unfolding coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a WA jobs crisis and the State holds the unenviable title of having the worst unemployment rate in the country.

Meilin Chew

Huge savingsWhere Aussies can get a record-low home loan

Lenders are gearing up for a mortgage rate war after the emergence of the nation’s cheapest-ever deal at less than two per cent. Here’s where you can get it.

Sophie Elsworth

Latest victimSeafolly sinks into administration

Australian bikini brand Seafolly is the latest retailer to collapse into administration, citing the financial hit caused by COVID-19.

Meilin Chew

Planning aheadAussie travellers line up staycations post-COVID

Just one quarter of Australians intend to travel overseas once COVID-19 restrictions lift, while two thirds plan on travelling domestically in the next six months, according to a new survey.

Sarah Ison

COVID crunch‘We can’t let JobSeeker deter people from working’: PM

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has revealed JobKeeper is costing $10 billion a month while also raising concerns Jobseeker payments could be stopping people from looking for work.

Sarah Ison

analysis
analysis
Passengers in cockpit
analysis
Will turbulence see airlines refocus on consumers?

Both Qantas and Virgin Australia will emerge from the devastation of COVID much leaner but consumers are set to be the chief beneficiaries of our new look airlines.

Geoffrey Thomas

Curtain raiserLive performance businesses bleeding up to $80k a month

The stage is set for the return of the arts - one of the hardest-hit sectors of the economy - but creative leaders say further action is needed to keep the industry viable.

Danielle Le Messurier

Big benefitsPerth to reap rewards when footy hub hits

As many as 5000 WA workers are set to directly benefit when Perth becomes the centre of the AFL world next month, as to 30,000 footy fans are expected to descend on Optus Stadium in July.

Peter Law

Road to recoveryAustralia ‘past the low point’ in economic activity

The return of consumer confidence, high household savings, and a decline in the number of people on JobSeeker are among the green shoots emerging in Australia’s economic data.

Meilin Chew

EconomyRecord drop in job vacancies as virus hits

The IMF says the global impact from the coronavirus is expected to be a deeper recession and slower recovery, as new data shows job vacancies have plummeted.

Katina Curtis, AAP Senior Political Writer

EXPLAINERQantas cuts: Your travel questions answered

The decision by Qantas to cut 6000 jobs will affect millions of Australian travellers. Here’s what today’s announcement means for you.

David Mills

Call to actionPerth small businesses unite to urge people back

Perth business owners have joined forces to front a new campaign urging West Australians to return to the city and support those hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

Meilin Chew

Pandemic planningBig business calls for Fed Govt to extend JobKeeper

The business community is calling on the Federal Government to extend JobKeeper to select industries beyond September with “big concerns” for young people trying to enter the market.

Sarah Ison