Coffs Harbour Chamber of Commerce

Business Breakfast - Spotlight on the Economy
2026-06-18 07:00 - 09:00 (Australia/Sydney) | C.ex Coffs, 2-6 Vernon St, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia
As business conditions change, Coffs Coast leaders need clear, reliable economic insights more than ever.
We’re in an ever-changing geopolitical world – interest rates, inflation, fuel and logistic impacts due to the middle east crisis and additional business and cost of living pressures.
We’re delighted to invite you to the next Chamber Networking Breakfast presentation on 18 June 2026.
The event will include a timely, practical economic briefing from Senior Economist, Ashwin Clarke – Global Economics and Markets at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Ashwin will provide a first-hand economic overview and market update on the current state of our economy regionally and nationally 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 to connect and network with other local businesses on the Coffs Coast.
Australian consumer spending has remained unexpectedly resilient, but early indicators suggest that strength may fade. CommBank Senior Economist Ashwin Clarke will convey how businesses and 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: $45 (includes hot buffet breakfast)
RSVP: Online by 12 Noon 11th June
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT
