Business Breakfast – Spotlight on the Economy
As business conditions change, Coffs Coast leaders need clear, reliable economic insights more than ever. We’re in an ever-changing geopolitical word – interest rates, inflation, fuel and logistic impacts due to the middle east crisis and additional business and cost of living impacts.
You’re invited to the next Chamber Networking Breakfast presentation on 18 June 2026.
The event will include a timely, practical economic briefing from Ashwin Clarke, Senior Economist at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Ashwin will provide a first-hand economic overview and market update on the current state of our economy and insights on what lies ahead and issues impacting Australian businesses.
This breakfast offers the chance to hear from a senior economist with deep institutional experience and connect with fellow senior advisers from across the Shire.
Australian consumer spending has remained unexpectedly resilient, but early indicators suggest that strength may fade. CommBank Senior Economist Ashwin Clarke about how households are responding to rising cost pressures linked to the Middle East conflict.
He will unpack how impacts of cost-of-living pressures, are flowing through to everyday spending and business activity. Ashwin will also outline why household spending has held up so far, supported by savings buffers and a willingness to absorb short-term income shocks. But with sentiment weakening, real incomes under pressure and unemployment expected to rise, the outlook is becoming increasingly uncertain.
Ashwin joined CBA’s Australian Economics team in 2025 after almost 20 years at the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Commonwealth Treasury. His experience covers Australian and global economic conditions, financial markets, international relations and regulatory policy. He holds a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from the University of Sydney and a Master of Economics from the Australian National University).
Date: Thursday 18 June
Venue: C.ex Coffs, Vernon Street
Time: 7:00am to 9:00am
Cost: Early bird price $38 (includes hot buffet breakfast)
RSVP: Online by 12 Noon 11th June