Turnbull not expecting recession

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull does not expect the national accounts on March 1 will show the economy sank into recession in the second half of 2016.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull does not expect the economy has sunk into recession after recent shock growth figures.

The economy unexpectedly shrank 0.5 per cent in the September quarter, and a further decline when the December quarter figures are released on March 1 would constitute a technical recession.

"I'm not expecting that outcome," Mr Turnbull told the National Press Club on Wednesday.