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Q+A: The Week Ahead with NAB | 19 Oct 2026

Published October 18, 2026

Australia's economy is slowing, unemployment is rising, and yet inflation remains stubbornly high. It's an uncomfortable combination for the Reserve Bank, which is trying to work out whether four interest rate rises have done enough to bring inflation under control.

Sean Aylmer speaks with Sally Auld, Chief Economist at NAB, about the week ahead for the economy, as well as last week's jump in unemployment to 4.7 per cent, which sectors are holding up and which are struggling, and why NAB believes interest rates may have peaked. They also answer a listener question about why education costs remain such a persistent contributor to inflation.

The Week Ahead with NAB is brought to you by National Australia Bank

Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/

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