Finance
How housing became a generational budget battleground
20 May
Young homeowner Mika likes Jim Chalmers’ housing policies but the treasurer’s preferred choice of coffee is a problem. “Does anyone know how to make a long black?” she asks media and ministerial staff waiting in her small Canberra apartment...[Read More]
Tax, migration and NDIS in coalition’s economic sights
20 May
Australia’s tax system would be overhauled, welfare restricted to citizens and immigration slashed under a future coalition government. In his first budget reply speech, Angus Taylor has conceded the Liberals and Nationals still have a long road...[Read More]
Budget brawl escalates over rival tax cut proposals
20 May
A row has broken out over the cost of cutting taxes for millions of Australians as Labor and the opposition try to sell rival economic plans to voters. After a week dominated by the state of the nation’s finances, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese...[Read More]
Fuel excise extension weighed as states look to supply
20 May
An extension to Australia’s fuel tax discount is still being weighed up as disruption to global oil shipments drives states to chase more control over petrol and diesel supplies. The federal government’s three-month cut to the fuel excise kicked...[Read More]
Middle ring could be ‘hollowed out’ by tax overhaul
20 May
Rental supplies in the middle ring of Australian capital cities could be hollowed out by changes to investor tax concessions in the federal budget. Real estate agents expect investor interest in established properties to crater after Tuesday’s...[Read More]
‘No whammy’: businesses hit back at budget tax overhaul
20 May
States and territories are being urged to slash stamp duty for small businesses and families to help them handle the fallout of a contentious overhaul of tax on investments. The federal government has flagged some GST relief for Australians affected...[Read More]
Rates revelation: why RBA dissenter voted against hike
20 May
The Reserve Bank’s lone dissenter against a rate rise argued interest rates were already high enough to get inflation back under control, before being overruled by the rest of the central bank’s board. Minutes of the May 5 meeting, released on...[Read More]
Skilled migrants could be key to more home construction
20 May
A controversial plan to link immigration figures with the number of homes being built ignores the role skilled migrants could play in building these properties, experts warn. A parliamentary inquiry is investigating the value of skilled migration to...[Read More]
Smarter energy at home: Serious ways to reduce electricity bills
14 May
Electricity bills have become one of the biggest household expenses, and for many families, the usual advice of “turn off the lights” simply does not go far enough. While small habits matter, meaningful savings often come from understanding...[Read More]
Budget spending stokes fears of further rate rise pain
13 May
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is defending an extra $18 billion in government spending next financial year despite warnings it will make the Reserve Bank’s fight against inflation harder. The federal budget on Tuesday revealed government spending will...[Read More]
Labor tucks away $77b war chest for further tax cuts
13 May
Tax changes in the budget give the government scope to direct more relief to workers in future, raising the prospect of a 2028 pre-election sweetener. While higher taxes on assets will be returned to workers via tax cuts in the short term, Treasury...[Read More]
Business sector urges Canberra to tackle red-tape cuts
13 May
The federal government must crack on with harmonising regulations so that businesses like retailers, airports and farmers can avoid costly red tape, a major business lobby says. The Alliance of Industry Associations, representing 30 groups including...[Read More]
Super shake-up wins support as budget savings spruiked
13 May
Superannuation performance test changes are being flagged as a way to boost Australia’s lagging productivity rate, as the federal treasurer promises more budget savings. First signalled during Jim Chalmers’ economic reform roundtable in August,...[Read More]
Aussies reliant on crucial medicines to save on scripts
13 May
More Australians will be able to pick up their prescriptions for less money, as the government boosts medicine subsidies in the federal budget. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which regulates prices of life-saving medications, will be increased...[Read More]
Electric car owners dodge road charge but pay more tax
13 May
Australia’s electric car drivers may escape a road-user charge for another year but will pay more tax under measures revealed in the federal budget. The changes are part of several reforms to support low-emission vehicles in the budget, including...[Read More]