China stimulus a 'very good development for Australia'

Australia's economy stands to benefit from a landmark stimulus package unveiled by Chinese authorities.

The People's Bank of China this week slashed interest rates in a bid to remedy anaemic economic growth and flagged further fiscal stimulus in a move celebrated by markets globally, including in Australia. 

Australia's largest trading partner has struggled to recover from COVID-19, weighing down commodity prices crucial to the strength of the federal budget.

Jim Chalmers (file image)
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the steps taken to boost China's economy are good for Australia.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who has been in Beijing since Thursday meeting with his Chinese counterparts, said the steps taken to boost China's economy were a "very, very good development for Australia".

"This can only be a good thing for Australia, subject to those details, because we know that weakness in the Chinese economy does flow through to our own economic conditions," he said.

"Some of the key reasons why our own economy is slowing considerably are global economic uncertainty, of which China is a part, combined with inflationary pressures at home, and the impact of higher interest rates. 

"Those three things are combining to slow our economy considerably."

Falling Chinese demand for iron ore has caused the price of the ferrous metal to plummet this year. 

That's bad news for Dr Chalmers' budget surplus, given the Australian economy's reliance on iron ore export revenues.

"Ultimately, it all comes down to the iron ore price, along with broader commodities," AMP chief economist Shane Oliver told AAP.

Iron ore has shed more than a third of its price since the start of the year but jumped back over $100 a tonne following the Chinese central bank announcement.

"The key for the iron ore price, though, is that it continues to stabilise at levels above the trajectory in the medium term assumptions in the budget," Dr Oliver said. 

"The budget assumes an iron ore price of $US65 over the medium term. And right now we're still above treasury assumptions, so if the iron ore price sort of stabilises around here, then it will continue to provide upside to the budget."

ANZ Bank senior China strategist Zhaopeng Xing said the measures were good news for the Chinese economy, but will likely be too little, too late for the country's ailing property sector.

Slab caster at BlueScope Steelworks (file image)
China's ailing property sector may limit iron ore price rises, an ANZ strategist says.

Given the property industry's influence on steel demand, the upwards impact on the price of iron ore could be limited, he said.

Before embarking on his visit, Dr Chalmers spoke with major commodities exporters, including BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue and Woodside, to understand the implications of a softer Chinese economy, he said.

"We've seen the iron ore price, for example, really quite low by recent historical standards," he told reporters in Beijing.

"Similarly when it comes to thermal coal, and so that has implications for us. It has implications for the budget, but more importantly, it has implications for the economy."

In its half-yearly financial stability review on Thursday, the Reserve Bank of Australia warned weakness in the Chinese economy was one of three main vulnerabilities facing the Australian financial sector.

The analysis, which was conducted before the stimulus package was announced, found Chinese banks were under pressure amid a deterioration in the property market.

Concerns remain the already-announced monetary policy measures won't be enough to fix China's economic woes on their own, given the country appears to have fallen into a liquidity trap, where consumers prefer to hoard cash even when interest rates are low.

"The worry would have been that it's pushing on a string," said Dr Oliver.

"But the combination of easy monetary conditions and as much fiscal stimulus - in the language of the politburo - as necessary to meet growth targets and support the property market - that's quite a big move.

"This is sort of what economists have been saying is needed for some time."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store