The newly minted boss of National Australia Bank’s flagship business bank says local firms are still having trouble finding staff as they work their way out of softer economic conditions.
“Getting labour is still the number-one challenge for businesses,” she said in an interview with this masthead. “It has settled down in some sectors, but we’re still seeing it in others such as civil services, construction and some specialised businesses.”“The big thing to watch for in the economy is unemployment,” Slade said.with a more gradual easing than had been expected at its previous meeting in February. The unemployment rate was 4 per cent in March, above its 50-year low of 3.
“They’re less worried about fuel prices, the impact of the pandemic, and like households, they’re building a bit of budgeting muscle.” According to the bank, demand for electric vehicles has grown 51 per cent, solar panels by 33 per cent and electric buses by 168 per cent over the past six months.