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There's been a constant dripfeed of budget news from Treasurer Jim Chalmers over the past week - but in less than 12 hours, the full economic blueprint will be unveiled. This morning's pre-budget installment is confirming a second consecutive surplus of $9.3 billion by the end of June - but after that successive deficits that will be bigger than expected six months ago.

It's perhaps the biggest bet Treasurer Jim Chalmers is making in tomorrow night's budget. Updated forecasts in the budget papers will see inflation slowing faster than expected and back within the Reserve Bank's 2 to 3 percent target band by the end of the year. But the Reserve Bank isn't so optimistic and issued an inflation alert just last week. Reporter: Peter Ryan, Senior Business Corresponden...

It's perhaps the biggest bet Treasurer Jim Chalmers is making in tomorrow night's federal budget. Updated forecasts in the budget papers will see inflation slowing faster than expected .. and back within the Reserve Bank's 2 to 3 percent target band by the end of the year. That's the forecast from Treasury - but the Reserve Bank isn't so optimistic.

Bonza CEO and founder Tim Jordan has apologised to staff, suppliers and passengers for the airline's collapse. Hall Chadwick administrator Jovan Singh has told a creditors' meeting in Sydney that talks are underway with about 20 interested parties in a bid to rescue or restructure Bonza.

A senate inquiry has recommended that young Australians should be able to access some or all of their superannuation to buy a home. The inquiry's interim report has been opposed by government members on the committee who warn that tapping super would only push up house prices and untimately force more Australians on to the aged pension. I speak with committee chairman, NSW Liberal senator Andrew B...

Super Members Council warns allowing Australians to access their superannuation to buy a home could cost taxpayers a trillion dollars by the end of the century with more people forced on to the aged pension. But NSW Liberal senator Andrew Bragg argues borrowers should be able to tap their super for a home if they want, rather than having their retirement nest up tied up for decades. Reporter: Pete...

There's been another warning that inflation remains a major risk to the global economy. The timely reminder from the International Monetary Fund comes less than a week out from Australia's federal budget and alarm from the Reserve Bank that inflation is a real and present danger. Also the Super Members Council warns early access to superannuation for home ownership could cost taxpayer a trillion d...

The hope of any interest rate cut this year appears to be fading after Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock warned stubborn inflation might force an interest rate hike. In response to a question from the ABC, Ms Bullock confirmed the RBA board did discuss the option of raising rates but decided to hold off despite evidence that inflation is hotter than expected.

It's a big day for anyone with a home loan who are no doubt watching for any sign of any interest rates relief. The Reserve Bank will deliver it's latest rates decision this afternoon - but rather than signalling a rate cut, the Board is likely to warn another rate hike might be back on the agenda.

Qantas will pay a $100 million civil penalty after admitting it sold fares for flights it had already decided to cancel. The remarkable admission that it misled travellers means Qantas will also have to shell out another $20 million to compensate 78,000 customers hurt by the cancellations. Reporter: Peter Ryan, Senior Business Correspondent Featured: Gina Cass-Gottlieb, ACCC chair; Vanessa Hudson,...

With the federal budget just a week away, Treasurer Jim Chalmers is busy managing expectations about any major cash splash for struggling Australians - except for what he calls "unavoidable spending". Dr Chalmers is warning budget revenue will just be a "fraction" of previous bumper years although he thinks another budget surplus is still within reach. Reporter: Peter Ryan, Senior Business Corresp...

NDIS minister Bill Shorten has rebuked the OECD for warning that the ballooning costs of the National Disability scheme need to be reined in. While acknowledging the OECD's advice, Mr Shorten scoffed at what he's called "self-appointed foreign experts" who should to be looking at improving disability services elsewhere in the world. Reporter: Peter Ryan, Senior Business Correspondent Featured: Bil...

There's another warning today that official interest rates will probably stay higher for longer - and that the federal government needs to rein in spending to help tame inflation. Just out from the Federal Budget on May 14, the Paris-based OECD is urging Treasurer Jim Chalmers to address runaway spending and growth in the cost of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

National Australia Bank chief executive Andrew Irvine has called out violence against women and says while major steps have been made to stamp out financial abuse, more needs to be done. Releasing the bank's half year financial results, Mr Irvine said more borrowers and renters pressured from the rising cost of living are seeking help from welfare agencies. Reporter: Peter Ryan, Senior Business Co...

Millions of club patrons in New South Wales have had their personal data potentially compromised in a major data breach. Clubs NSW says it's aware of a "cybersecurity incident" involving fewer than 20 clubs in NSW. Also, the US Federal Reserve leaves interest rates on hold.

The world's biggest mining company BHP has launched a monster bid for assets owned by its rival Anglo American. The takeover bid is valued at US$40.5 billion (A$60 billion) as BHP tries to get hold of more copper assets that will be used in the renewables transition.

The 13th interest rate hike since May 2022 is looming as a real possibility after evidence that inflation remains entrenched in Australia's economy. That hotter-than-expected inflation is now pushing out hopes for a long-awaited interest rate cut to early next year .. with a warning the Reserve Bank might need to risk a recession to tame the inflation beast. I speak with Judo Bank economic adviser...

ANZ economist Catherine Birch says another interest rate rise can't be ruled out after quarterly inflation came in slightly hotter than expected. While Ms Birch and other market economists still believe the Reserve Bank's next move will be down, signs of sticky inflation and resilient economy remains a concern. Reporter: Peter Ryan, Senior Business Correspondent Featured: Catherine Birch, economis...

In the midst of a busy news agenda, we'll see a set of numbers later this morning that could provide long-awaited relief from the high cost of living. This is known as the Consumer Price Index - in other words the pace of consumer prices and whether that pace slows enough to provide hope of interest rate cuts later this year.

Star Entertainment executive chairman David Foster privately canvassed abolishing the independent casino regulator in New South Wales despite public comments he was fully cooperating, an inquiry has heard. Mr Foster admitted making the comments in a text message to then-chief executive Robbie Cooke, but said they were "out of context" and "made in the heat of the moment". The second inquiry led by...

It's three weeks out from the Federal budget .. so what can we expect .. and should be believe the economy is as shaky as we're hearing? Unlike previous years, so far very little "good news" has been rolled out in the leadup - apart from gloomy warnings that rising geopolitical risks from Israel's war in Gaza threaten what's currently a very strong fiscal position. Former Treasury economist Chris...

Star Entertainment chief risk officer Scott Saunders says the casino group is on a mission to change a culture where "the customer is always right". Star is facing a second inquiry to determine its suitability to hold a casino licence in Sydney. Reporter: Peter Ryan, Senior Business Correspondent Featured: Scott Saunders, chief risk officer, Star Entertainment Keywords:

Anyone hurting from the rising cost of living will be paying close attention to the release of the latest quarterly inflation figures on Wednesday.

The wave of insolvencies sweeping across Australia is getting worse as businesses crunch under the pressure of a slowing economy. The latest data from the corporate regulator ASIC shows insolvencies heading for a level not seen in a decade.

Australia's official unemployment rate has ticked slightly higher to 3.8 percent. Part time jobs fell by 6,600 but full time positions rose by almost 28,000. ABC's Peter Ryan says evidence of a resilient economy are likely to see Reserve Bank interest rate cuts pushed out to late this year or early 2025.