This episode from Financial Services Online covers the latest in Australia's finance industry. It highlights Telstra's impressive profit rise, prompting a dividend increase and a $750 million share buy-back scheme. In real estate, changes to land tax rates in Victoria have shrunk the rental property market, potentially providing opportunities for first-time homebuyers due to slower rent growth and higher vacancies. In superannuation news, Australian super funds started 2025 strongly with median growth at 2.2% in January, continuing a hold of impressive returns since 1992. However, concerns around job growth and potential inflation are raised, as the labour market shows slowing wage growth and a slight increase in unemployment. The need for productivity improvements across industries is underlined to offset potential inflation.n
