Super tax fairness is the key to budget repair
Scott Morrison can use scare tactics in seeking greater support for his task of getting the budget back on track, but he'll do better by spreading the needed sacrifice more fairly.
Federal Budget news
Morrison levels with us: We have a revenue problem after all
Now he tells us. Within days of his appointment as treasurer last year Scott Morrison rashly assured us he faced "a spending problem, not a revenue problem".
An attempt to shock us out of our complacency, for what?
One year into his job as treasurer, Scott Morrison has conceded that he does have a revenue problem after all, and delivered a stirring defence of... not that much.
G20 calls for tax policy overhaul
Group of 20 finance ministers say taxation policies should be improved worldwide to reflect globalisation and promote socially balanced, sustainable economic growth.
Why austerity measures don't work
What if the prime minister sacked the treasurer and promised to govern for everyone, not just those near the top?
Three simple tweaks to stop our leaders shortchanging us
What if budgets, and candidates for office, told the truth?
What's a AAA credit rating and does it matter?
What is this rating, where does it come from and does it matter? Your AAA-rating questions answered.
Rising number of Australian companies going bust
High rate of corporate collapses as economy shifts away from mining sector
Company tax cuts 'built on uncertain foundations'
Claims of a boost to living standards from the government's planned company tax cuts rest largely on a dramatic reduction in tax avoidance, a new analysis shows.
Morrison plays get-out-of-jail-free card
In budgeting it's known as the magic asterisk, the get-out-of-jail-free card. If it looks as though you'll be in the red, you simply add in a figure for general unspecified savings and, magically, your problem's solved.
Cutbacks from Labor. It's about time
Labor is about to do what the Coalition did in the leadup to the last election. It's about to face reality.
This time it's the Coalition promising things it can't afford
Labor ought to consider reversioning the old 1980's AIDS slogan: "I like sex, but I'm not prepared to die for it."
Australia divided as 30 electorates go backwards
In some electorates, the economy is shrinking by as much as 2 per cent per year. In others, it is growing by 5 per cent or more.
Black economy could balance books
Want to know where the money is for the budget?
Forget about searching for black holes, they're not there
The tally of costings released at the end of a campaign almost always adds up and always puts the budget slightly ahead.
Don't trust budget numbers. Treasury says so
About the only the only thing the treasury believes about this year's budget is the economic forecasts. It certainly doesn't believe the deficit forecasts.
Cuts or tax rises needed, warns budget update
Treasury and Finance have warned that significant spending cuts – or a big rise in tax receipts – will be needed to return the federal budget to surplus over the medium term.
Australia Council delivers major blow to visual arts, say leading museum directors
A coalition of artists, museum directors and the heads of art schools has attacked the Australia Council's four-year funding program, which resulted in several visual arts organisations losing critical financial support.
Billions could go ahead of treasurers' debate
A sharply lower iron ore price is expected to wipe billions of dollars from budget projections forcing both sides of politics to rein in promises when the official pre-election economic update is released on Friday.
Rent control, but for pathologists, not for you
Why on earth is the Coalition controlling rents?
How does the budget stack up?
When politicians announce a tax cut to be delivered after they've been re-elected, there are no prizes for guessing it's an electoral bribe.
Negative gearing's hidden taxpayer cost
Taxpayers who negatively gear cost other taxpayers an average of $310 per year, a new analysis of Tax Office data shows.
Kate Mulvany says performing arts sector demoralised and fearful
Kate Mulvany says the performing arts sector has been demoralised by federal government funding cuts.
Retrospective claims a super furphy
Those hikes in cigarette taxes... they're retrospective. Really.
Figures come second to 'common sense'
The government is running light on numbers to support its corporate tax cut and negative gearing/capital gains tax policies. It's no wonder, really.
Here comes the fiscal bling
Every non-plan plan needs glossy and impressive packaging.
Second interest rate cut on the cards
There could be another interest rate as soon as next month, throwing a wildcard into the election campaign.
Sorry, Scott, I don't believe it
As you may have heard Scott Morrison mention a time or two this week, this isn't an ordinary budget.
The Sydney electorate that won the budget
New data reveals how every Sydney electorate fared in the budget.
Scott Morrison has no cunning plan
Let's be straight about this: Scott Morrison has no plan to return the budget to surplus.
Budget 2016: Hundreds of job losses expected in the performing arts
Hundreds of job losses in the arts sector are expected as small and mid-sized companies lose Australia Council funding.
Budget 2016 Live from Parliament House
Speaking of the budget Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will give his formal reply tonight. Having spent much of the week congratulating the government for adopting some of his policies what else will Mr Shorten have to say?
Elections can be won with three words
I learned valuable lessons in the 1975 campaign that have helped throughout my business life.
Internship program risks being a 'jobs destruction scheme'
A new internship program introduced to combat youth unemployment is at risk of becoming a "jobs destruction program" unless safeguards are introduced to prevent exploitation, workplace experts have warned.
Turnbull gives Labor a second free kick in as many days
Malcolm Turnbull's standing as the Coalition's great communicator has taken a second hit in two days, this time when he was pressed to on the cost of the centrepiece of his "jobs and growth" budget.
'The game is up on this'
Scott Morrison has begun his budget sales tour warning big companies that Australia will lead the way on multinational tax avoidance.
The more I look at the budget, the more I like it
This type of federal budget is rare. The Turnbull government sought and adopted best practice. You can’t argue with that.
Hotline to help divert children from radicalisation
Parents concerned their children are succumbing to religious radicalisation will be able to call a hotline for advice and counselling under a $4 million plan.
Retirement transition scheme hobbled in budget
Financial expert Mark Bouris gives his verdict on whether the transition-to-retirement (TTR) scheme is still worthwhile.
Budget 2016: max tax bang for buck
An accountant shares tax strategies arising from the 2016 federal budget for individuals, businesses, and employees.