A leading economist says the "risk" of an "imminent" RBA interest rate hike is "rising", while former treasurer Peter Costello is urging Australia to arrest its fertility downturn.

Some increase in interest rates is justified simply because with higher inflation, real interest rates are now negative. But the idea of returning to the old target range does not stand up to scrutiny ...

Michele Bullock appears before Senate estimates. The local share market is likely to rise in morning trade. The ABS will release new figures showing the Australian economy likely grew 2.2 per cent in ...