Australian Budget: Government Banks On Strong GDP Growth

May 9, 2017 Share Print 0

The Australian budget was close to market expectations and the main aspect will be additional currency vulnerability if GDP growth rates fail to meet expectations.

In the budget statement, Australian Treasurer Morrison announced measures to boost infrastructure spending. The government is planning a second international airport for Sydney together with a substantial package for road and rail investment. The total spending commitment on capital projects amounted to A$75bn over the next ten years.

There was a new levy on big banks and higher misconduct fines for financial institutions while, in the personal sector, there were increased medical care levies.

The fiscal 2017/ 2018 budget deficit forecast was slightly higher than expected at A$29.4bn and compared with a previous forecast of A$28.7bn. The 2018/19 budget was aslo revised higher to A$21.4bn from A$19.7bn previously.

The government is aiming to return the budget to A$7.4bn surplus for 2020/21 following 12 consecutive annual deficits and compared with the A$1.1bn surplus forecast in the mid-year economic outlook.

The GDP growth forecast was 2.75% for fiscal 2017/18 with 3% growth in the following two years with support from an unwinding of weak investment trends seen in recent years. The CPI inflation rate was forecast at 2.0% and unemployment at 5.75% for 2017/18 with inflation expected to increase to 2.5% in 2020/21.

A key aspect will be the reaction of ratings agencies, especially as there have been persistent warnings that the inability to curb deficits could jeopardise the crucial AAA credit rating.

The government has been acutely aware of the warnings and has made the medium-term budget surplus forecast a strong focus in the budget.

There will inevitably be doubts whether the medium-term budget surplus will be achieved and the main concern is likely to be fears that stronger growth will not materialise. Weakness in growth, allied with increased spending commitments, would push the deficit sharply higher.

In this context, any signs of growth vulnerability would have a larger negative impact on sentiment surrounding the Australian dollar and increase the threat of a ratings downgrade.

AUD/USD edged higher to near 0.7350 from earlier 4-month lows near 0.7330 with 10-year yields above 2.70%.

Economic Calendar

This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.

Bio
Twitter
Google+
Latest Posts

Dean Popplewell

Vice-President of Market Analysis at MarketPulse

Dean Popplewell has nearly two decades of experience trading currencies and fixed income instruments. He has a deep understanding of market fundamentals and the impact of global events on capital markets. He is respected among professional traders for his skilled analysis and career history as global head of trading for firms such as Scotia Capital and BMO Nesbitt Burns. Since joining OANDA in 2006, Dean has played an instrumental role in driving awareness of the forex market as an emerging asset class for retail investors, as well as providing expert counsel to a number of internal teams on how to best serve clients and industry stakeholders.