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Australia 's Current Economic Climate

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DESIREABLE DEPRECIATION
Lachlan Milligan

Task: Research Report (1500 words)
Within Australia’s current economic climate, a lower exchange rate provides more economic advantages than a high exchange rate. However, some experts argue that a higher exchange rate is overall beneficial for the economy through having an increased purchasing power, whilst others disagree. By having a lower exchange rate, a country is able to accelerate its exports industry, making exports cheaper abroad, in turn increasing demand for their goods. This report will discuss the recent trends in Australia’s exchange rate, in addition to exploring factors that influence the exchange rate and its impact on the trade industry. The effects of a depreciating …show more content…

One important determinant of a country 's exchange rate in the long term is whether it has a higher or lower inflation rate than its trading partners. The theory of purchasing power parity (PPP) suggests that the exchange rate between two countries will adjust to ensure that purchasing power is equalised in both countries. If a country 's inflation rate is persistently higher than that its trading partners, its trade-weighted exchange rate will tend to depreciate to prevent a progressive loss of competitiveness over time. In addition, political events can also impact the exchange rate, as seen with the ‘Malcolm Turnbull effect’ which lifted the Australian dollar. The Australian dollar, at US70.68c broke US71c in overnight trade after Turnbull discussed the need for economic reforms to counteract "challenges" facing the slowing local economy. Shortly after Mr Turnbull was confirmed as the victor against Prime Minister Tony Abbott, the dollar additionally rose one-third of a cent.
Exchange rates play a pivotal role in the relationships between individual economies and the global economy. Almost all financial flows are processed through the exchange rate, as a result the movements and fluctuations of the exchange have a significant impact on international competitiveness, trade flows, investment decisions and many other factors within the economy. Due to the increasing globalisation of the world economy, trade and financial flows are becoming more accessible

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