FEAR & GREED | Business News PM on high ahead of roundtable; auction surge after rate cut; Trump to meet Zelensky
Aug 17, 2025
The Prime Minister's popularity is soaring, boosted by recent polls just ahead of a crucial reform roundtable. Qantas faces a significant legal challenge with potential record fines looming. Meanwhile, auction clearance rates have surged after a rate cut from the RBA. On the international front, Zelensky is set to meet Trump following a tense discussion with Putin. Paris is witnessing a troubling rise in luxury handbag thefts, impacting both locals and travelers.
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Make Reform Pro-Worker And Productivity-Focused
- Include productivity, training and fairness when designing tax and productivity reforms at the roundtable.
- Consider measures that boost skills for future jobs while ensuring benefits reach workers, not just firms.
Productivity Is The Roundtable's Test
- The program flagged a deeper discussion on productivity with a follow-up Q&A featuring economist Stephen Kukulis.
- The roundtable's success will be judged on whether it delivers meaningful productivity improvements, not just talk.
Rate Cut Sparks Housing Activity
- Auction clearance rates jumped to their highest since April after the RBA cut rates, signalling renewed buyer confidence.
- The rate cut increased borrowing capacity and particularly helped first-home buyers re-enter the market.