Australia’s new Labor government is facing the prospect of a politically-uncomfortable rise in interest rates less than three months since taking office after the country’s robust economy again surprised with its strength.

According to data released on Thursday, the country’s already low unemployment fell further, to 4.3 per cent in December, down from 4.5 per cent the previous month, and only slightly ahead of September’s 33-year-low of 4.2 per cent.