Economy

Key sectors in regional Australia are bearing the brunt of ongoing fuel price shocks and supply uncertainty, according to National Australia Bank (NAB) CEO Andrew Irvine.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled a $1 billion package of new interest-free loans aimed at supporting businesses most affected by fuel shortages.

The federal government has extended the small business responsible lending obligations exemption by 10 years as part of a support package for businesses struggling with the fuel crisis.

The major bank has revised its cash rate forecast, suggesting that interest rates will hit levels not seen since the global financial crisis.

National Australia Bank has reported a sharp rise in demand for electric vehicle (EV) finance amid soaring fuel prices, but brokers say conditions on the ground remain uneven.

Australia’s business sector is showing early signs of strain in 2026, with falling confidence, rising cost pressures, and an emerging energy shock weighing on SMEs.

Consumer confidence has fallen to its lowest level since records began, as rising interest rates, surging oil prices, and growing economic uncertainty weigh on households.

Inflation and rising costs are the primary factors impacting Australian SMEs, with nearly half identifying them as the biggest barriers to growth.

Western Australia has emerged as the epicentre of the country’s bridging finance surge, as a severe supply shortage forces buyers to move faster than ever.

Brokers have said that the Senate’s capital gains tax report highlights key issues but falls short of addressing the real drivers of Australia’s housing problems.