Half the GST rise to go in compensation
The realisation that about half the extra revenue from a GST rate increase would have to be spent on compensation is fuelling misgivings in the government over whether the tax change is worth it.
Keating says a small GST hike is defensible
Former Labor Prime Minister Paul Keating has said a 1 or 2 per cent rise in the GST could be defensible if it is to fund hospitals.
Voting change planned for Senate
Amid talk of an early election, the government could change voting rules to stop micro-parties gaming the system to win Senate spots.
The annual migration of the political beast
Like great wildebeest leaving their comfortable home pastures, some returned to Canberra with shaggy face pelts and beach tans.
Big business wants to double Syrian refugees
Business has urged the government to more than double the government's commitment to permanently resettle 12,000 Syrian refugees.
Mystery Liberal donor linked to developer
A mystery 26-year-old Liberal donor who gave $100,000 in 2015 is linked to Chinese developer R&F Properties.
Tobacco taxes run out of puff
Government efforts to stamp out smoking have become so successful Treasury has been forced to downgrade its estimates for future tobacco exc...
Turnbull urged to tackle Labor on tax
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull can win a historic election victory but only if he makes a convincing case for changes to taxes and spending...
Coalition struggles to win support for ABCC bill
The Coalition is struggling to secure parliamentary support for the Australian Building and Construction Commission bill, with Senate crossb...
McDonald's halves its tax bill
The fast food giant is under fire after sending hundreds of millions of dollars through Singapore.
