Australia's economy might be in better shape than GDP suggests

Sydney

AUSTRALIA's best three months of hiring since 2004 has brought the jobs market into line with buoyant business conditions - signalling the economy could be in better shape than recent GDP data showed.

At the Reserve Bank of Australia, there'll be some relief. For months, it's repeated that forward indicators suggested higher employment and lower unemployment were in the offing, as the jobs market turned in circles or even weakened.