The September quarter house price indices for eight capital cities are released today. These figures are of particular interest given the uncertainty about official interest rate movements against the backdrop of the slowing economy.

The TD Securities - Melbourne Institute Monthly Inflation Gauge for October is released today. The gauge provides the latest inflation update whereas the ABS releases its Consumer Price Index (CPI) each quarter. Expect wide coverage by the financial press and economists' newsletters.

Retail trade figures for September are released today - providing a key indication of consumer confidence, which had been weak during the half of the year before turning up in September.

The Reserve Bank meets this morning, and reports at 2.30pm this afternoon on the meeting's outcome. These meetings are being followed with particularly close interest at this time to learn whether the bank will change official interest rates.

Australia's figures for international trade in goods and services for September are released today. These are a valuable guide to the state of our economy.

Australian commercial and residential building approvals for September are released today. Residential approvals are likely to remain in the doldrums at this stage.

Australia's labour force figures for October are released today. These will be closely watched given the slowing economy with the contrasting factors of the extreme skills shortage and continuing resources boom.

The Reserve Bank today releases its latest statement on monetary policy. The bank's statement is likely to indicate its expectations for movements in inflation over the next few months and provide an insight into possible interest rate movements.

Australian housing finance figures for September are released today, further reflecting the impact of changing interest rates and a slowing economy on the confidence of would-be borrowers. These figures cover loans for building new homes and for buying existing homes.

Today is the final date for electronic lodgment and payment of your September quarter business activity statement (BAS). Check on your eligibility for this later due date.

The Australian labour price index for the September quarter is released today. This records the rises in employee remuneration, including compulsory superannuation, but excludes bonuses. The Reserve Bank is keeping a close watch on movements in wages, particularly given inflationary pressures.

The much-studied monthly Westpac-Melbourne Institute Survey of Consumer Sentiment is released today. From this survey, the institute creates an index reflecting consumers' evaluations of their household financial circumstances over the past year and the coming year as well as their expectations for economic conditions over the coming year and the next five years. And consumers are asked for their views about the conditions for buying cars and homes, and about the wisest places to invest and save. Although the report itself is costly, Westpac's press release on the survey provides an excellent summary.

Australian lending finance figures for September - covering housing, personal, commercial and leasing finance - are released today. These provide another key measure of the impact of the slowing economy and the Reserve Bank's interest-rate policy. The figures for business lending will be closely watched given the economic outlook and the reluctance of consumers to take on more debt.

The figures for US international trade in goods and services during September are released today. These are a vital indicator of the slowing US economy.

The Reserve Bank releases at 11.30am this morning the minutes of its monetary policy meeting on November 4, revealing more of the bank's latest views on interest rates and inflationary pressures.

Australian sales of new vehicles for October are released today. Vehicle sales, particularly of sports utility vehicles and large sedans, are showing their vulnerability to high petrol prices and the slowing economy.

These are further vital indicators of the prevailing health and direction of the weak US economy and its troubled housing market. Figures for October are released today.

The latest Reserve Bank Bulletin is released at 11.30 am today, providing more pointers to the state of the Australian economy. The bulletin covers a wide range of current financial and investment issues. Given the intense uncertainty on investment markets, our slowing economy, wavering consumer confidence and the reduction of personal debt, the bulletin's credit-card lending statistics will continue to attract much interest.

The Melbourne Institute Monthly Bulletin of Economic Trends is released at 11am today. This report provides a forecast for our economy over the next four quarters while giving a succinct and timely update of its present state. It covers such areas as GDP growth, consumption, unemployment, the inflationary outlook, 90-day bill rate, and exchange rate.

This is the final date for businesses to lodge their monthly BAS for October and to pay any necessary tax.

This is a key measure for the US and world economies, particularly at this time with the continuing fallout from the sub-prime mortgage crisis and the troubled US housing market. Figures for October are released today.

The ABS Australian business indicators for the September quarter are released today. This publication records results of business sales, profits and inventories.

The TD Securities - Melbourne Institute Monthly Inflation Gauge for November is released today. The gauge provides the latest inflation update whereas the ABS releases its Consumer Price Index (CPI) each quarter. Expect wide coverage by the financial press and economists' newsletters.

Balance of payments and details of Australia's international investment position for September are released today.

The Reserve Bank meets this morning, and reports at 2.30pm this afternoon on the meeting's outcome. These meetings are being followed with particular attention at this time to learn whether the bank will again lower official rates.

Australia's figures for international trade in goods and services for October are released today. These are a valuable guide to the state of our economy.

Australian commercial and residential building approvals for October are released today. Approvals are likely to remain at a long-time low.

Australian housing finance figures for October are released today, further reflecting the impact of the slowing economy on the confidence of would-be borrowers. These figures cover loans for building new homes and for buying existing homes.

The much-studied monthly Westpac-Melbourne Institute Survey of Consumer Sentiment is released today. From this survey, the institute creates an index reflecting consumers' evaluations of their household financial circumstances over the past year and the coming year as well as their expectations for economic conditions over the coming year and the next five years. And consumers are asked for their views about the conditions for buying cars and homes, and about the wisest places to invest and save. Although the report itself is costly, Westpac's press release on the survey provides an excellent summary.

Australia's labour force figures for November are released today. These will be closely watched given the slowing economy with the contrasting factor of the extreme skills shortage.

The figures for US international trade in goods and services during October are released today. These are a vital indicator of the slowing US economy.

Australian lending finance figures for October - covering housing, personal, commercial and leasing finance - are released today. These provide another key measure of the impact of the slowing economy and the Reserve Bank's interest-rate policy. The figures for business lending will be closely watched given the economic outlook and the reluctance of consumers to take on more debt.

The Reserve Bank releases at 11.30am this morning the minutes of its monetary policy meeting on December 2, revealing more of the bank's latest views on interest rates and inflationary pressures.

These are further vital indicators of the prevailing health and direction of the weak US economy and its troubled housing market. Figures for November are released today.

Australian dwelling commencement figures (preliminary) for the September quarter are released today. These preliminary numbers are likely to be too much of a lag indicator to reflect the prevailing state of the market.

The latest Reserve Bank Bulletin is released at 11.30 am today, providing more pointers to the state of the Australian economy. The bulletin covers a wide range of current financial and investment issues. Given the intense uncertainty on investment markets, our slowing economy, wavering consumer confidence and levels of personal debt, the bulletin's credit-card lending statistics will continue to attract much interest.

The Melbourne Institute Monthly Bulletin of Economic Trends is released at 11am today. This report provides a forecast for our economy over the next four quarters while giving a succinct and timely update of its present state. It covers such areas as GDP growth, consumption, unemployment, the inflationary outlook, 90-day bill rate, and exchange rate.

This is the final date for businesses to lodge their monthly BAS for November and to pay any necessary tax.

Australian sales of new vehicles for November are released today. Vehicle sales, particularly of sports utility vehicles and large sedans, are showing their vulnerability to high petrol prices and a slowing economy.

This is a key measure for the US and world economies, particularly at this time with the continuing fallout from the sub-prime mortgage crisis and the troubled US housing market. Figures for November are released today.