Yesterday
O’Brien plans tax review, stands by nuclear power
The federal shadow treasurer has committed to developing a taxation policy that leaves more money in the pockets of Australians.
This Month
NDIS delays threaten $9b budget blowout
Reining in the NDIS is a major challenge for the government, with its spending set to outstrip defence in 2026-27.
Private sector-led recovery in doubt as companies hold back investment
The OECD has urged the federal and state governments to repair their budgets, as new data shows record growth in welfare spending and business investment languishes.
Minns wants tobacco tax cut to fight crime gangs
NSW Premier Chris Minns has joined Victoria in blaming soaring tobacco taxes for the rise in illegal cigarette sales.
Liberal admits ‘tactical errors’ on tax and spending
Shadow finance minister James Paterson has admitted it was a mistake to oppose Labor’s income tax cut at the election and says the Coalition must re-establish its economic credentials.
May
Rio Tinto iron ore grade decline set to dent government revenues
Rio Tinto has told customers its flagship product would contain more impurities and less iron in the future.
Looming US fiscal crisis a cautionary tale for Australia
The lesson is clear. Short-term fiscal discipline, which might seem ignorable in the moment, is vital.
Government debt to hit $1 trillion as soon as September
Economists are urging the re-elected Albanese government to prioritise getting the budget in order or else risk losing the nation’s AAA credit rating.
This time, a hung parliament is unlikely to be as bad
If Labor finishes with a seat count a handful shy of the absolute minimum of 75 seats, as polls indicate is a distinct possibility, there will be no bidding war.
Chalmers didn’t know a key budget number. This is why it matters
Treasurer Jim Chalmers failed to recognise a $47 billion deficit figure in an oversight that economist Saul Eslake says exposes the government for glossing over so-called “off budget” spending.
April
‘Debt $40b lower under us,’ Liberals claim
The Coalition is promising to reduce the budget deficit by more than $10 billion over the next four years, and to lower debt by $40 billion. But no surplus.
Labor’s missing $8b for housing makes a mockery of budget
More than 80 per cent of the $10 billion that the government committed to build 100,000 homes for first buyers was nowhere to be seen in its election costings.
The two worrying trends revealed in Australia’s AAA warning
The next federal government should be thinking about ways to get control of the financially imprudent behaviour of the state and territory governments.
Coalition counts on One Nation preferences to narrow gap
Almost nine in 10 preferences from One Nation and other right-wing minor parties are flowing towards the Coalition in some heartland Labor seats it is targeting.
Albanese’s budget deficit ‘lie’ challenged
The prime minister insists his government turned a $78 billion deficit into a surplus, despite the deficit never materialising
Mocking S&P’s credit warning risks Australia’s prosperity
The nation’s AAA rating is not an ornament. It was hard-won through decades of careful fiscal management by successive governments.
Chalmers raids public sector spending to find $7.2b in savings
Labor is vowing to clamp down on consultants as part of its cuts, while Angus Taylor is promising a mini-budget if the Coalition wins the election.
Threadbare Coalition agenda needs a burning platform on bracket creep
If Peter Dutton is victorious, the budget repair rhetoric will need tangible policy proposals to enable a serious conversation with voters about tax reform.
Labor and Coalition urged to fess up on deeming rate plans
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has left open the prospect that 900,000 welfare recipients could have their payments lowered soon after the federal election.
‘DOGE playbook’: Dutton vows to halve Canberra public service
Asked about his policy to reduce the bureaucracy by 41,000 positions, the opposition leader interjected with: “In Canberra.”
