GDP

The latest GDP figures underline the baked in sluggishness, the flatlining, even the shrivelling of the economy.

The move comes as Australia faces pressure from the White House to lift its military spending, from 2% to 3.5% of GDP, a push so far resisted by Canberra.

But GDP per capita remains low compared to EU member states.

The increase - which would more than double Nato members' current target of spending 2% of GDP - is a big ask for many European nations.

Its 3.2% GDP growth was higher than America's, three times the UK's and four times the EU average.