CANBERRA, ACT, March 18 -- The Treasurer of Australia issued the following transcript: Note Subjects: interest rates, savings Sarah Abo: Well the Reserve Bank is this morning warning a recession may be the only way to drive inflation out of the economy. To discuss, Treasurer Jim Chalmers joins us live now from Canberra. Good morning to you, Treasurer. So, Australia now has the highest interest rates in the Western world. How does that sit with you? Jim Chalmers: Good morning, Sarah. You've...
CANBERRA, ACT, March 18 -- The Treasurer of Australia issued the following transcript: Note Subjects: RBA decision, government spending, impact of conflict in the Middle East Matt Shirvington: In a split decision the RBA lifted its official rate to 4.1percent with the average Aussie mortgage increasing by $2,800 a year- yes, 2,800. For more we're joined by Treasurer, Jim Chalmers. Good morning to you. The Opposition is saying you're not making the tough decisions here, you're spending too m...
CANBERRA, ACT, March 18 -- The Treasurer of Australia issued the following transcript: Note Subjects: interest rate hikes, rising fuel costs, capital gains tax discount James Glenday: Now the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, says he is not expecting a recession and that is despite the Reserve Bank warning that it may be a possibility in a bid to rein in inflation exacerbated by rising fuel costs and the war in Iran. The Treasurer joins us now from Canberra. Jim Chalmers, welcome back to News Breakf...
CANBERRA, ACT, March 18 -- The Prime Minister of Australia issued the following media release: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to Australia from Monday, 23 March to Wednesday 25 March 2026. The Prime Minister will meet with President von der Leyen in Canberra on Tuesday, 24 March 2026. This will be President von der Leyen's first visit to Australia as President of the European Commission, and the 7th meeting between ...
CANBERRA, ACT, March 18 -- The Treasurer of Australia issued the following transcript: Note Subjects: economic consequences of the Middle East conflict, interest rates, fuel security and supply chains, the budget, speech to Australian Business Economists tomorrow, responsible economic management and savings, tax reform Patricia Karvelas: The Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, is my guest on the desk this afternoon. Welcome. Jim Chalmers: Thanks very much, Patricia. Karvelas: Treasurer, the governm...
CANBERRA, ACT, March 17 -- The Treasurer of Australia issued the following transcript: Note Subjects: Reserve Bank interest rate announcement, ACCC action over fuel pricing, petrol rationing Jim Chalmers: As you know, the Reserve Bank decided to increase interest rates to 4.1percent today. You can see in the statement that it was a close vote and it was a close call, and I think that reflects the uncertainty that we're seeing in the global economy, and the statement refers to risks in both d...
CANBERRA, ACT, March 17 -- The Treasurer of Australia issued the following media release: Today the independent Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Board increased the cash rate by 25 basis points. We already had an inflation challenge in our economy but the war in the Middle East is making this challenge worse. This will be really tough news for millions of Australians with a mortgage. At a time of immense global instability, this will put even more pressure on families and businesses. While toda...
CANBERRA, ACT, March 16 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release: A Queensland man is expected to appear in Brisbane Magistrate's Court today (16 March, 2026) charged with obstructing police and behaving in a disorderly manner at Brisbane Airport last month. The AFP responded to a request for assistance on 11 February, 2026, after the Mackay region man, 40, was allegedly aggressive towards an airport staff member in the Brisbane Domestic Airport terminal. When approache...
CANBERRA, ACT, March 16 -- The Prime Minister of Australia issued the following media release: ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA:I want to welcome Your Majesty the King on your first visit to Australia since your ascension. It's a pleasure as well to welcome Her Majesty the Queen, who has of course a very special relationship with our country. Australians have a great affection for both of you, and we also have a great affection for Denmark. Many of us have travelled there. We under...
SYDNEY, March 16 -- Australian Prudential Regulation Authority issued the following media release: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) will consult on a package of reforms to bank capital and liquidity settings aimed at maintaining the resilience of Australia's financial system and ensuring it remains well-positioned to absorb shocks and respond to periods of turbulence. The proposed changes follow several years of heightened geopolitical and market volatili...