ECO latest info

Hola Eco gang,
thought I would make sure you are out there and thinking like the guru.

So I have a number of things for you to consider.

1) If you want the absolute up to date information, or have questions you need answered then call the HSC Advice line on 131112. It is open from 4pm to 10pm from 2-4th Nov for Economics, Check out this link if you want dates for other subjects.

2) The latest inflation figures show that underlying inflation is 3.5% and this is why the RBA put up rates by .25% in for the first time in 18months in Oct. The underlying rate is the important figure for the RBA, so whilst headline inflation is still only 1.3% and thus below the 2-3% target, the underlying figure is important as economic conditions being weak is the only thing holding inflation from soaring.
Thus Australia has an underlying inflation problem- which the RBA only has 1 way of dealing with this issue. Unfortunately this will not solve the problem (this requires micro reform regarding productivity and infrastructure investments)
SO when the RBA meets on this Tuesday (which is always put into the background some horse race) it will be interesting to see what happens.

3) The latest figures I have are as follows;
12 months ago
Growth 0.6% June 09 2.7%
Unemployment 5.8% Aug 09 4.1%
Inflation 1.3% Oct 09 4.5%
Household savings -0.4% Sep 09 +0.9%
cash rate 3.25% 7.0%
current account -$38.4bn -$72.5bn
ToT 109.0 Jun 09 120.1


Good luck.

Arrg help me with Economics

This will not provide the answers to the Eco trial. However if you are not sure how to explain a concept or want it explained in another way you should investigate Mr. Wood. This web site may provide you with some additional confidence. If you go to his site which is actually set up for the VCE or Victorian equivalent of the HSC it has some great information, history and analysis.
Unit 1 is intro and yr 11 work
Unit 2 is globalisation and trade policy.
Unit 3 is economic issues.
and Unit 4 is the role of government and government policies.

If you choose say Issues- External Stability and then go to the bottom of the page it then goes through page 1 definitions, 2- Measurement, 3- Terms of Trade, 4- Measurement limitations, 5- recent Aus performance, 6&7- demand factors, 8&9- supply factors, 10- policy approach, 11- International comparisons.

Another point of note is that the statistics button shows graphs and history of the important economic indicators with explanations. If you are after the very latest figures the best site is the Reserve Bank which has the cash rate, inflation and latest exchange rates on the front page if you after more than this then go to the chart pack and investigate further.

Lastly as I mentioned the other day a good source of updated info for your case study is the Economist web site- go to the Country briefings on the left and then all country briefings- it has sepcial links to the BRIC nations but up to date on many, many others.

Good luck.