Economists issue warning over productivity

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G'day, welcome to The World Today.

It's Thursday the 3rd of September.

I'm Andy Park coming to you from Gadigal Land in Sydney.

Today the Coalition unveils a plan to slash the tobacco tax and to legalise and regulate vapes.

And a new Ray Gunn doco reveals an unprepared breakdancer taking on the Olympics.

It was just a whole new world that I was in.

I'd never consistently been in the gym.

We trained on the street at night and then suddenly I had this strength and conditioning coach and she was only available from like 6.30 in the morning.

Australia's economy is growing, which should be a good thing.

But stronger than expected GDP figures mean at least one interest rate rise before the end of the year is almost certainly locked in at a time when Australians are already under strain.

The National Debt Helpline has just recorded the highest number of calls for the month of August ever.

Economists are warning that if productivity isn't addressed, Australians will continue to feel poorer, as Bridget Fitzgerald reports.