The Latest Breaking News from Westpac

‘Stagflationary shock’ from Iran war a ‘nightmare’ as confidence crashes among Australian households

Weakened economic activity, soaring fuel prices and rising inflation have created a horror scenario, RBA deputy governor says

The Guardian - AU · Apr 14

War hits home for big Aussie bank as confidence slumps

One of the big four banks has become the first to reveal that the conflict in the Middle East is affecting its business, ahead of the May federal budget.

AAP · Apr 13

RBA to sift through jobs data as world watches Hormuz

The labour market will be top of the economic agenda in the coming week, while speaking engagements from central bank officials will be closely studied.

AAP · Apr 12

Isolated and exposed: can New Zealand’s fragile economic recovery withstand the global oil shock?

New Zealand economic growth tipped to overtake Australia’s this year but Middle East conflict casts a shadow over outlook

The Guardian - AU · Mar 18

Australian households fear double whammy of rate hikes and higher petrol prices will lead to recession

Borrowers face losing hundreds of dollars a month in higher repayments and rising pump rices will add to the pain, economists warn

The Guardian - AU · Mar 17

Why has the Iran war sparked fears of stagflation for the global economy?

Conflict in the Middle East risks knocking growth worldwide and boosting prices, economists warn, amid global market turbulence

The Guardian - AU · Mar 9

Good news is bad news: GDP growth fuels inflation fears

Australia's economy expanded by 2.6 per cent over 2025, above Reserve Bank forecasts, raising fears of an impending interest rate hike.

AAP · Mar 3

Australian banks passed interest rate hikes on to mortgage holders – so why haven’t they done so for savings accounts?

There’s an obvious reason for the delay. But the banks still need to compete on savings rates to finance their operations

The Guardian - AU · Feb 6

Mortgage holders brace for hundreds more in repayments

Two incorrect assumptions have set the Reserve Bank on track for a costly U-turn on interest rates, with borrowers facing steeper repayments on their mortgages.

AAP · Feb 2

Rate rise pain all but certain after inflation shock

Hotter-than-expected inflation figures have convinced analysts the Reserve Bank will lift rates as soon as next week, heaping pressure on mortgage holders.

AAP · Jan 27