Housing Market Outlook: Has the Slowdown Begun?
In this episode, ComBank senior economist Trent Saunders analyzes the recent slowdown in Australia’s housing market, attributing it to a mix of higher interest rates, the May 2024 federal budget’s changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, and waning buyer sentiment. He explains how sentiment can become self‑fulfilling, leading to softer auction results, longer selling times, and a dip in price growth, especially in Sydney and Melbourne where prices may fall 6‑7% this year. While the budget aims to boost new‑home construction and first‑home buyer affordability, Saunders argues that supply constraints—labour, material costs, and regulatory bottlenecks—limit its impact, leaving mid‑size cities like Perth and Brisbane relatively stronger. Looking ahead, he forecasts flat national house prices for 2024, a modest recovery from 2025 onward, and a sharp cut in investor lending, with rate cuts expected in mid‑2025 providing some relief.
US-China Summit: What Happens Next?
In this episode of ComBank View Economics and Markets, host Mandy Drury and senior geoeconomics analyst Madison Cartwright dissect the outcomes of President Trump's summit with President Xi in Beijing. They note that the agreements were modest—200 Boeing jets, $17 billion...
In Conversation with Treasurer Jim Chalmers
In this 41‑minute interview, Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers outlines his long‑term economic philosophy: steering Australia through frequent global shocks by building a "fourth economy" powered by clean energy, technology and social mobility. He warns that mismanaging this transition could deepen...
Consumer Spending: Feeling the Impact of War
In this episode, host Mandy Drury and ComBank Senior Economist Ashwin Clark examine how Australian consumers have fared amid the Iran war and rising energy costs. They note that after a strong 2025 where real household spending grew over 2.5%...
Global Outlook: War Inflation to Spark Higher Interest Rates
In this episode, ComBank’s host Mandy Drury and head of Forex, International and Geoeconomics Joe Caperso dissect the global fallout from the Middle‑East war, focusing on soaring oil prices, higher fertilizer costs and their ripple effects on inflation and interest...
CommBank View: Economics & Markets - Trailer
In this introductory trailer, host Mandy Drury outlines the new CommBank View: Economics & Markets podcast, which will feature the Commonwealth Bank’s Global Economic and Markets Research Team delivering deep analysis of fast‑moving global markets, shifting policy settings, and an...