Invest
$50 billion stimulus needed: UBS
Despite debt soaring to wartime levels, one of the largest investment banks believes the government will need to reach into its back pocket and spend a further $50 billion to keep the country afloat.
$50 billion stimulus needed: UBS
Despite debt soaring to wartime levels, one of the largest investment banks believes the government will need to reach into its back pocket and spend a further $50 billion to keep the country afloat.
Research released by UBS has explained how the government will need to spend even more as the impact of Victoria’s lockdown rolls through the economy and unemployment climbs to 9.25 per cent.
“The government’s comments suggest that there will be more stimulus coming through in the 6 October budget.”
UBS economist George Tharenou said on a media call: “We think that will be part of a broader reform package, and we added $50 billion to our expectations for stimulus last week.”
Mr Tharenou believes the most likely form of stimulus will come in the form of another extension to JobKeeper and JobSeeker – costing between $10 billion and $13 billion, assuming payment rates are tapered again – as well as more support for businesses to encourage investment and bringing forward tax cuts for households to next year.
“You’re going to have an outlook for growth that is positive from the stimulus coming through the economy but also with some negatives from the Victoria shutdown,” Mr Tharenou said, adding that stronger than expected retail and trade data could mean the economy had contracted less than expected.
Mr Tharenou also expects the government will significantly increase its infrastructure spend, broaden items covered by GST, and transition payments to state governments to encourage and fund a switch from “inefficient” stamp duty to land tax.
However, September’s fiscal cliff still looms large over proceedings.
“Our estimate on the fiscal cliff has been reduced by the extension of some of these stimulus measures, but it still remains very large at $80 billion, or 16 per cent of quarterly GDP,” Mr Tharenou said.
Impact of spending
While the government is continuing to help support the Australian economy, the budget deficit is continuing to grow, UBS stated.
“We now estimate total government (included states) fiscal stimulus is $214 billion or 11 per cent of GDP. Government comments indicate further material fiscal support by the ‘full budget’ in October, which we assume eventually gets the 2020-21 deficit to our $213 billion forecast.”
UBS projects that growth will recover to 2.6 per cent in 2021 as domestic and international borders reopen. The RBA is expected to keep interest rates on hold, while there is “limited reason” to restart its quantitative easing program unless lockdowns persist for longer than expected.
RELATED ARTICLES
-
Australia’s spending surprise raises the odds of a February rate move — here’s how to protect margin and momentum
-
Australia’s inflation cools to 3.4% — why the RBA’s next move still isn’t a lay‑up for business
-
Inflation cools to 3.4% — but the RBA’s reaction function keeps businesses on a knife-edge
About the author
About the author
Economy
Australia’s spending surprise raises the odds of a February rate move — here’s how to protect margin and momentum
Household outlays are running hotter than economists expected, with the latest ABS readings showing broad-based gains across services and goods. That resilience is exactly the kind of demand impulse ...Read more
Economy
Australia’s inflation cools to 3.4% — why the RBA’s next move still isn’t a lay‑up for business
Headline inflation easing is good optics; balance sheets feel something different. With year‑on‑year CPI down to 3.4% in November from 3.8%, hopes for rate relief are rising — but policymakers remain ...Read more
Economy
Inflation cools to 3.4% — but the RBA’s reaction function keeps businesses on a knife-edge
Australia’s headline CPI edged down to 3.4% year-on-year in November, from 3.8%, easing immediate pressure but not eliminating the risk of further tightening. With services inflation sticky and ...Read more
Economy
Higher-for-longer, not higher forever: How Australia’s inflation ‘surprise’ is rewriting CFO playbooks for 2026
Australia’s latest inflation pulse eased but didn’t budge bank outlooks: near‑term rate cuts are still a long shot, with some houses flagging upside risk. That steadier‑for‑longer cash rate is pushing ...Read more
Economy
Australia's inflation illusion: the real challenge lies in pricing power and productivity
Headline inflation has cooled to 3.4% year-on-year, but the Reserve Bank’s caution—and a still‑hot housing backdrop—mean the rate threat hasn’t left the room. For boards, the next few quarters are ...Read more
Economy
When house prices lift, tills ring: A case study in turning Australia’s wealth effect into growth
Australia’s latest upswing in household wealth, anchored by higher dwelling values, is more than a feel‑good statistic—it is a profit and planning signal. The ABS notes property’s centrality to ...Read more
Economy
RBA's hawkish stance reflects inflation concerns, State Street economist comments
In a recent statement, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has signaled a hawkish stance on interest rates, drawing insights from financial experts about the implications for Australia's economic ...Read more
Economy
Navigating the inflation maze: How CFOs can outsmart economic hurdles in Australia
Fresh inflation data have cooled expectations of near-term rate cuts in Australia, intensifying pressure on margins, capital allocation and demand. Rather than wait for monetary relief that may not ...Read more
Economy
Australia’s spending surprise raises the odds of a February rate move — here’s how to protect margin and momentum
Household outlays are running hotter than economists expected, with the latest ABS readings showing broad-based gains across services and goods. That resilience is exactly the kind of demand impulse ...Read more
Economy
Australia’s inflation cools to 3.4% — why the RBA’s next move still isn’t a lay‑up for business
Headline inflation easing is good optics; balance sheets feel something different. With year‑on‑year CPI down to 3.4% in November from 3.8%, hopes for rate relief are rising — but policymakers remain ...Read more
Economy
Inflation cools to 3.4% — but the RBA’s reaction function keeps businesses on a knife-edge
Australia’s headline CPI edged down to 3.4% year-on-year in November, from 3.8%, easing immediate pressure but not eliminating the risk of further tightening. With services inflation sticky and ...Read more
Economy
Higher-for-longer, not higher forever: How Australia’s inflation ‘surprise’ is rewriting CFO playbooks for 2026
Australia’s latest inflation pulse eased but didn’t budge bank outlooks: near‑term rate cuts are still a long shot, with some houses flagging upside risk. That steadier‑for‑longer cash rate is pushing ...Read more
Economy
Australia's inflation illusion: the real challenge lies in pricing power and productivity
Headline inflation has cooled to 3.4% year-on-year, but the Reserve Bank’s caution—and a still‑hot housing backdrop—mean the rate threat hasn’t left the room. For boards, the next few quarters are ...Read more
Economy
When house prices lift, tills ring: A case study in turning Australia’s wealth effect into growth
Australia’s latest upswing in household wealth, anchored by higher dwelling values, is more than a feel‑good statistic—it is a profit and planning signal. The ABS notes property’s centrality to ...Read more
Economy
RBA's hawkish stance reflects inflation concerns, State Street economist comments
In a recent statement, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has signaled a hawkish stance on interest rates, drawing insights from financial experts about the implications for Australia's economic ...Read more
Economy
Navigating the inflation maze: How CFOs can outsmart economic hurdles in Australia
Fresh inflation data have cooled expectations of near-term rate cuts in Australia, intensifying pressure on margins, capital allocation and demand. Rather than wait for monetary relief that may not ...Read more
