Eating in and staying home: Australian economic growth slows to pandemic levels as consumers cut back

Australian gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.2 percent in the December quarter and by 1.5 percent over 2023, according to figures from the Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This is the slowest annual growth rate since the pandemic, driven largely by a fall in household consumption and consumer spending. In per capita terms, GDP actually fell by 1 percent over the year while the population grew by approximately 2.5 percent.

CBA Head of Australian Economics Gareth Aird said “momentum in the economy has ground to a halt”, with consumer spending weakening beyond the Reserve Bank’s (RBA) expectations. “On a per capita basis real consumer spending is down by a very large 2.4% over the year,” Mr Aird said. “Such an outcome would normally be associated with a large negative shock or recession. The weakness in the consumer lies at the heart of the soft GDP outcomes.”

Mr Aird said household consumption declined significantly on a per capita basis in 2023, and the RBA would be surprised by the level of weakness. He noted that in November, the RBA was forecasting annual household consumption to come in at 1.1 percent for 2023. The RBA lowered its forecast to 0.4 percent last month. The actual figure reported by the ABS yesterday is 0.1 percent.

“The RBA’s highly aggressive rate hiking cycle has clearly worked to slow demand growth in the economy,” he said. “Rising mortgage payments along with a lift in tax payable and the effects of elevated inflation have weighed on household purchasing power.”

Mr Aird said the interest paid on housing debt had increased by almost 40% over the past year.

“The ongoing expiry of ultra-low fixed rates will see interest paid continue to grow at a decent clip until the RBA cuts the cash rate. For context, interest paid on housing debt is up by a massive 162% from pandemic lows.”

Lower household consumption is being driven by cuts in discretionary spending because electricity, rent, food and health are costing more. Australians are eating at home more often and spending less on recreation, and fewer people are buying new cars, clothes or footwear.

The December quarter captures the Australian summer holiday period. During the quarter, there was a 9% fall in overseas travel spending as Aussies chose cheaper holidays, preferring destinations closer to home with New Zealand and Indonesia the most popular destinations.

Mr Aird notes the level of new home building in Australia has dropped well below where it was pre-pandemic. There was a 3.8 percent fall in residential property investment during the December quarter due to a major decline in new construction and renovations. “Against a big lift in population growth, the supply and demand mismatch in the housing market has put significant upward pressure on rents,” Mr Aird said. “It has also fed into the increase in home prices over the past year despite the big reduction in borrower capacity due to significantly higher mortgage rates.”

Mr Aird said business investment was “a bright spot” in the economy, up 8.2% over the year. This was largely due to an increase in non-residential and engineering construction over 2023. Katherine Keenan, ABS head of national accounts, said the key drivers of non-dwelling building construction in the December quarter were data centres and warehouses.

Italian fine wines are gaining momentum among Australian collectors and drinkers, with new data from showing a surge in interest driven by value, versatility and a new generation of producers.

Long dominated by France, the premium wine conversation is beginning to shift, with Italy increasingly positioned as a compelling alternative for both drinking and collecting.

According to Langtons, the category is benefiting from a combination of factors, including its breadth of styles, strong food affinity and more accessible price points compared to traditional European benchmarks.

“Italy has always offered fine wine fans an incredible range of wines with finesse, nuance, expression of terroir, ageability, rarity, and heritage,” said Langtons General Manager Tamara Grischy.

“There’s no doubt the Italian wine category is gaining momentum in 2026… While the French have long dominated the fine wine space in Australia, we’re seeing Italy become a strong contender as the go-to for both drinking and collecting.”

The shift is being reinforced by changing consumer preferences, with Langtons reporting increased demand for indigenous Italian varieties and lighter, food-first styles such as Nerello Mascalese from Etna and modern Chianti Classico.

This aligns with the broader rise of Mediterranean-style dining in Australia, where wines are expected to complement a wider range of dishes rather than dominate them.

Langtons buyer Zach Nelson said the category’s versatility is central to its appeal.

“Italian wines often have a distinct, savoury edge making them an ideal pairing for a variety of cuisines,” he said.

The move towards Italian wines also comes as prices for traditional French regions continue to climb, particularly in Burgundy, prompting collectors to look elsewhere for value without compromising on quality.

Italy’s key regions, including Piedmont and Etna, are increasingly seen as offering that balance, with premium wines available at comparatively accessible price points.

Nelson said value is now a defining factor for buyers in 2026.

“Value is the key driver for Australian fine wine consumers… Italian wines are offering exactly that at an impressive array of price points to suit any budget,” he said.

The category is also proving attractive for newer collectors, offering what Langtons describes as “accessible prestige” and a more open entry point compared to the exclusivity often associated with Bordeaux.

Wines such as Brunello di Montalcino and Nebbiolo-based expressions are increasingly being positioned as entry points into cellar-worthy collections, combining ageability with relative affordability.

At the same time, a new generation of Italian producers is reshaping the category, moving away from heavier, oak-driven styles towards wines that emphasise site expression and vibrancy.

“There’s definitely a ‘new guard’ of Italian winemaking… stripping away the makeup… to let the raw, vibrating energy of the site speak,” Nelson said.

Langtons is also expanding its offering in the category, including exclusive access to wines from family-owned producer Boroli, alongside a broader selection spanning Piedmont, Veneto, Sicily and Tuscany.

The company will showcase the category further at its upcoming Italian Collection Masterclass and Tasting in Sydney, featuring more than 50 wines from 23 producers across four key regions.

For collectors and drinkers alike, the message is clear: Italy may have been overlooked, but it is no longer under the radar.

Eating in and staying home: Australian economic growth slows to pandemic levels as consumers cut back

Household consumption has slowed as energy, food, rent and health costs increased

Italian wines are emerging as a serious contender for Australian collectors, offering depth, rarity and value as French benchmarks continue to climb.