Author: The Guardian

Lobby group Parenthood argues better leave, childcare and gender policies would increase GDP by 8.7% by 2050.

The analysis of government data, broken down by federal electorate by Guardian Australia, estimates an average of nearly $2m per electorate could be lost every fortnight if the $150 supplement is not extended at the end of March.

In a normal recession, people have less to spend and thus retail spending takes a hit. And yet last year total retail spending went up more strongly than it has for well over a decade.

The jobless rate fell to 6.6% in December and the participation rate lifted to 66.2% in a quicker than expected recovery that increases the likelihood economic supports will be withdrawn.