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Australia’s Economy Slows as Households Tighten Their Belts, While AI Investment Surges

Private investment jumped on data centre spending, while households cut discretionary purchases and exports fell on weather disruptions, the statistics bureau said.

  • On Wednesday, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported Australia's economy grew just 0.3% in the first quarter of 2026, slowing sharply from 0.9% growth at the end of 2025.
  • Private investment surged, led by a 16.3% jump in machinery and equipment spending for data centers, while mining production slid 1.5% due to weather disruptions and households cut discretionary spending.
  • Economic output per person declined 0.1% during the quarter, marking the first contraction since early 2025, while households reduced their savings ratio to 6.2% from 7% as essential costs rose.
  • On Tuesday, Reserve Bank of Australia board member Ian Harper reaffirmed the central bank's commitment to bringing inflation under control, with rates at 4.35% needed to prevent price expectations from becoming unanchored.
  • Recession risk rises as Middle East conflict impacts filter through the economy in coming months, with AMP estimating a 30 per cent chance of recession in the next 12 months and HSBC warning of potential Q2 contraction.
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themarketonline.com.au broke the news on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
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