PM concedes not all enjoying good times

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull wants all Australians to benefit from better economic times, conscious not all are enjoying the fast lane.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull

Malcolm Turnbull has acknowledged many Australians feel they're not rolling in good times. (AAP)

Strong economic growth and a rising stock market padding out superannuation accounts - it doesn't get much better.

But Malcolm Turnbull is the first to acknowledge many Australians feel they're not rolling in good times.

"We certainly are concerned to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are enjoyed by all Australians and right across Australia and all parts of Australia," the prime minister said on Thursday.

The latest national accounts show the economy grew by a stronger than expected 1.1 per cent in the December quarter, a marked rebound from the surprise 0.5 per cent contraction in the previous three months.

However new figures released on Thursday suggest the start of 2017 was not so perky in terms of exports, a key plank of the economic rebound.

Australia's trade surplus almost halved to $1.3 billion in January compared to December as exports dropped three per cent, while imports rose three per cent.

The surplus was a record, albeit downwardly revised, $3.3 billion in December.

"This is a disappointing start to the March quarter," Westpac senior economist Andrew Hanlan said.

However given the rebound in domestic conditions in the December quarter, he thought the spike in imports could be down to some restocking by businesses.

JP Morgan economist Tom Kennedy thought the drop in export values looked overdone given iron ore prices continue to run ahead of expectations and coal contract prices remain elevated.

Meanwhile, local shares spiked over one per cent, buoyed by gains on Wall Street as investor optimism was lifted after US president Donald Trump gave a measured tone in his first speech to congress.

The US Dow Jones stock index pushed through the 21,000 mark for the first time after passing the 20,000 milestone less than a month earlier.

Treasurer Scott Morrison said investors are excited about the Trump agenda.

"They're investing in infrastructure, getting company tax rates down, this was a very clear speech about a very strong economic direction and people have responded well to that," Mr Morrison told Sky News.

He said the government also wants to get local business taxes down, ensuring companies can grow and be profitable, so people can get jobs and have higher wages.


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Source: AAP



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