Extreme Weather Events Have Slowed Economic Growth, Adding to the Case for Another Rate Cut
- Australia's economy grew by just 0.2% in the March quarter of 2025, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics report.
- This slight increase followed predictions of 0.4% and was influenced by severe weather conditions that weakened domestic spending and led to a decline in exports.
- The slowdown included a 2.0% drop in public investment, weaker export results particularly in the services sector, and a significant increase of 10.2% in electricity prices driven by a warmer-than-usual summer.
- Ben Udy, the chief economist at Oxford Economics in Australia, warned that early indications suggest a growing negative impact of confidence on both consumption and investment during the second quarter.
- These conditions increase pressure on the Reserve Bank of Australia, which has cut rates twice this year, to consider further easing if economic weakness continues into the second quarter.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Australia's economic growth sluggish as natural disasters take a toll and tariffs loom
Australia's economic recovery continues to stall, with the latest data showing GDP growth has slowed to 0.2 per cent in the first three months of the year. That's well below the expectations of economists. The Treasurer pointed to natural disasters and global uncertainty as factors, as pressure mounts on Australia to secure US tariff exemptions.


Extreme weather events have slowed economic growth, adding to the case for another rate cut
Australia’s economy slowed sharply in the March quarter, growing by just 0.2% as government spending slowed and extreme weather events dampened demand. That followed an increase of 0.6% in the previous quarter. The national accounts report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed annual growth steady at 1.3%, below market forecasts for an improvement to 1.5%. The result is also weaker than the Reserve Bank of Australia’s forecasts. …
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