The Latest Breaking News from Adelaide Timbrell

Lower energy rebates and higher housing costs than a year ago have propelled the headline inflation rate to its highest level in 16 months.

Inflation data will dominate the domestic economic dashboard, while the UK budget and New Zealand rate cuts are on the agenda abroad.

Consumers are feeling a touch more optimistic about their personal finances, with the jobless rate low and pay packets rising.

Inflation has begun easing as goods prices fall, but the cost of living crisis isn’t over yet as rising rents and utility bills hit families.

The minutes from the central bank's board meeting suggest the bank is getting closer to a pause so it can assess the full impact of sharp interest rate hikes.

Australia's economy is still holding up on the back of household spending, but there are warning signs that a severe downturn is imminent — and small businesses are already seeing it in action.

The worst of the current inflationary cycle may be behind us, but the pain is probably not over for many households

It's the final countdown to the consumer event of the year — Black Friday — a November sales spectacular imported from the US, and growing in popularity in Australia.

Whoever wins this month's election will inherit an economy showing signs of pandemic recovery as the state's net debt climbs to dizzying heights. But the biggest challenge could be filling a major skilled worker shortage across a raft of critical sectors.