The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to cut interest rates this week.
The official cash rate currently stands at a 12-year high of 7.25%. Any reduction will be the first since December 2001.
The economy is now seen as slowing. Credit figures issued on Thursday showed lending for housing, personal use and business rose 0.5% in July - the slowest annual rate since August 2002.
Demand for housing loans rose by 0.5% in July and 9.8% over the year - the slowest pace since March 1987.
