No recession but inflation hike and increased cost-of-living pressure on the way, Jim Chalmers says
Economists predict RBA will raise interest rates this week and in May – days before treasurer unveils budgetFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastHouseholds can expect significant additional cost-of-living pressures...
<p>Economists predict RBA will raise interest rates this week and in May – days before treasurer unveils budget</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/mar/15/federal-politics-jim-chalmers-anthony-albanese-labor-angus-taylor-matt-canavan-coalition-barnaby-joyce-one-nation-iran-womens-football-team-asylum-offers-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>Households can expect significant additional cost-of-living pressures because of the war in the Middle East, with Jim Chalmers confirming that the government expects inflation to rise beyond 4.5% in Australia.</p><p>But the treasurer said he did not expect the economy to fall into recession because of the war sparked by US and Israeli bombings in Iran.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/15/no-recession-but-inflation-hike-and-increased-cost-of-living-pressure-on-the-way-jim-chalmers-says">Continue reading...</a>
Read the full article at:
The Guardian World →