Federal Budget
Crackdown on ‘double dippers’ is back
PARENTAL leave “double dippers” will be targeted once again when the federal government makes a fresh attempt to pull back entitlements this week.
Forced to pay thousands in fees
MICHELLE was on track to graduate. But a government decision has left her in debt and with no way to pay for her future
The 478 courses on student loan hit list
IF YOU want to study acupuncture for pets, how to be a butler, energy healing or pilates, don’t expect to get help from the Turnbull Government.
Shonky colleges — your time is up
THEY’VE been accused of signing up students who will never complete their course — now the government wants to clean up private colleges.
Australia’s colossal billion-dollar gamble
IT STUFFED up monumentally with the problem-plagued F-35 jet fighter, but Australia just gave this company a big fat new contract anyway.
Why private school funding should be cut
WHEN parents are paying $30,000 a year to send their children to school, taxpayers should not be chipping in.
Why we should privatise hospitals
SOCIAL housing, hospital, public dental care and other government services could benefit from privatisation, the Productivity Commission has found.
How $6.3b Budget cut affects you
THEY almost pulled an all-nighter to get there, but the Senate has passed billions in budget cuts. It’s not good news for everyone, though.
Baby Bonus cut in $6.3b Budget deal
THE government and Labor have agreed to a $6.3 billion cut in spending — with the Baby Bonus the main casualty.
Why this $20m will be wasted
AS IF spending $160 million is not enough — now there’s talk of millions more being thrown down the drain.
‘Tony wanted to have a fight’
TONY Abbott has reportedly confronted Treasurer Scott Morrison over plans to offer superannuation concessions to low-income earners.
Spot the $100 million mistake
IT ONLY accounts for a small fraction of proposed budget savings, but this error is causing all sorts of headaches.
Spot the $100 million mistake
IT ONLY accounts for a small fraction of proposed budget savings, but this error is causing all sorts of headaches.
Dire warning falls just short of advocating panic
SCOTT Morrison has had his own “banana republic” moment, issuing a blunt economic warning that could spell doom for future generations.
Shorten raises stakes by $1.5 billion
IN THE game of Budget poker leading up to Parliament’s return, Bill Shorten is seeing Malcolm Turnbull’s bid and raising him $1.5 billion.
Labor turns down PM’s invitation to dance
LABOR will not dance to Malcolm Turnbull’s tune on fixing the deficit-ridden Budget, Bill Shorten warned the government today.
Why your degree is now worthless
FROM the barista with a law degree to the aspiring engineer bartender, unis churn out more graduates with “broken dreams”.
Now we’ll see the real Sco-Mo
THE Coalition is clinging to power by a fingernail, and its Budget measures are very unpopular. So why is Scott Morrison promising ‘No more Mr Nice Guy’?
‘Inappropriate’ act fires up campaign
AN ‘inappropriate’ and fiery incident at an early voting polling booth today shows the election campaign is starting to heat up.
Labor’s plan to balance the budget
LABOR is set to announce its plan to bring Australia back to surplus, with some spending cuts borrowed from the Coalition.
The election’s ultimate banana-skin
IT’S the issue so complex it’s become the kiss of death for politicians that go near it. Now the Government is facing an internal revolt over it.
‘Ka-ching’: We’re not buying it
ANOTHER day, another billion dollars pledged. The only problem is, voters don’t believe a single word of it.
Election kills off unpopular tax
ONE of the Government’s most unpopular tax proposals looks set to be ditched, leaving a $40 million hole in the Budget.
Tough question stumps leaders
IT WAS called the People’s Forum, but there was one audience question neither Malcolm Turnbull or Bill Shorten were able to fully address.
Duncan ‘freaked out’ as fundraiser halted
A FUNDRAISING campaign for Geelong battler Duncan Storrar has been suspended as details of the Q&A star’s criminal history emerge.
Poorest families worse off under Budget
AUSTRALIA’S poorest families will be worse off once all the new Budget measures come into force while wealthier households will benefit, new modelling shows.
Q&A hero reaction out of control
DUNCAN Storrar’s history, personal life and finances are now being scrutinised in public. But at least there’s one silver lining.
Q&A’s Aussie battler pays no net tax
DUNCAN Storrar starred on Q&A, pleading for a tax break for people on the minimum wage. It turns out he’s already getting one.
The man who stole the election debate
“WHAT rich people buy a coffee with, we buy our kids dinner with.” Duncan Storrar, who sparked the #DuncanforPM hashtag on Q&A, has a few more words to say.
Malcolm’s $1.6b secret sweetener?
HAS Malcolm Turnbull been holding out on us? Some believe the Prime Minister is sitting on a $1.6 billion war chest of election goodies.
Turnbull’s odd fix for house prices
FINALLY, Malcolm Turnbull has got something new to say housing affordability. But has he missed the point again?
Bowen’s response to the Budget
AFTER the release of the Federal Budget, Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen answered your questions today. See what he said.
Comment that got Bill mocked
BILL Shorten may have offered $71 billion in savings last night, but something else grabbed the attention of viewers.
Shorten’s $71 billion Budget reply
BILL Shorten came out swinging in his Budget reply, pledging $71bn in savings and legislation to protect Medicare and introduce marriage equality.
‘It’s a pretty simple question, PM’
MALCOLM Turnbull wants an economy that is agile and strong but the PM couldn’t back away fast enough from answering one direct question.
Koch: ‘Don’t get spooked by this’
DAVID Koch and a panel of experts have explained how the Federal Budget will affect you — with many questions on changes to super and tax cuts.
Schools funding in budget gets fail mark
AEU NT branch president Jarvis Ryan says the Budget, which includes $17.6 billion for schools, is disappointing
The joke Turnbull could live to regret
IT WAS intended as lighthearted morning radio banter, but the Opposition has pounced on Malcolm Turnbull’s joke.
Expect to pay more for GP visits
THE cost to visit your local GP is likely to rise and bulk billing services to plummet following the release of the Federal Budget.
It’s an affront to Queensland voters
QUEENSLAND Treasurer Curtis Pitt has accused his Canberra counterpart of attempting to “blackmail” the State Government into selling assets.
Why the Budget’s a big load of bull
THERE’S an awkward fact about the Budget that Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison don’t want you to think about.
‘Mr Morrison, your priorities are out of order’
FEARS of a rush to investment property by wealthy Australians hit by new super rules have everyday workers fearing they will never get into the market.
The big problem with the $80K tax cut
PEOPLE who earn more than $80,000 a year are the only Aussies to receive an income tax cut in the Budget. But here’s why the government is unlikely to win any votes from it.
Why we need this jobs plan
WITH employers constantly complaining we are spitting out a generation of Aussies who are not fit for work, the government’s youth employment plan could be a saviour.
Enough! Smokers deserve a break
WE’VE been kicked out of workplaces, pubs and restaurants — and now we have to pay a motza for a packet of cigarettes.
NT farmers left hanging over backpacker tax
TERRITORY farmers were left disappointed the issue of the backpacker tax was left unresolved in the federal budget last night
Budget didn’t lift a finger on this
IF YOU scoured the Budget looking for these issues, you can stop looking. The government left them in the too-hard basket.
NT short changed in Federal Budget
THE Northern Territory has missed out on any big spending in the 2016 Federal Budget — less than two months out from the anticipated July 2 election
Obscure model deciding our fate
LOADED onto a computer in Canberra is an obscure program that forecasts our future. It’s the reason companies are getting a tax cut. But can we trust it?
This kid is the real star of the Budget
WERE you bored watching the Budget last night? You weren’t the only one and a seven-year-old boy summed the whole thing up perfectly.
Your chance to set national agenda
HOW well do you think Australia is travelling? With the Budget revealed and the election on the way, here’s your chance to tell us what you think.
Cormann on the tough Budget questions
FINANCE Minister Mathias Cormann sat down to answer questions on the Federal Budget today. See what readers threw at him - and how he responded.
‘The biggest disaster since pink batts’
THE government’s plan for youth unemployment sounds like a beautiful idea. But this program could quickly go to hell in a handbasket.
Your five minute guide to the Budget
WANT to be a Budget expert, but can’t be bothered taking the next month off in order to read all the papers? This guide will give you all you need to know.
Try our Budget calculator
YOU can work out exactly how the Budget will impact you in real money terms using our Budget calculator.
Why this is actually a clever Budget
ANALYSIS: This Budget has been skilfully prepared, and it will help the Government in the looming election contest.
‘Why should voters re-elect you?’
IT DOESN’T take long for the shine to come off a Budget when your first stop after delivering it is a grilling from 7.30 host Leigh Sales.
Multi-billion dollar juggling act
SCOTT Morrison’s election year Budget is a multi-billion dollar juggling act that could save the govt - or sink it.
‘Cheap magic trick’ hidden in this graph
HOW should you feel about the 2016 Budget? In one word: suspicious. Some things, like the lines in this graph, just don’t add up.
Aussies slam buzzword Budget
THE Treasurer has handed down a divisive Budget and the internet has responded as you might expect it to respond.
Morrison delivers election Budget
THE waiting and speculation is over. Treasurer Scott Morrison has handed down his first Federal Budget. So what’s in it for you?
Get ready for $40 cigarettes
BUYING a pack of cigarettes is going to cost a whole lot more after tonight’s Budget.
Two-minute Budget guide for dummies
TODAY the Turnbull Government will deliver its first Budget. But with words and phrases like surplus and deficit thrown around, it’s no wonder some of us are confused.
Labor forced to defend $19b shortfall
ON THE day Labor was set to attack the Coalition over its Budget, the Opposition has had to explain a $19 billion shortfall in its calculations.
Is this the end of the 5¢ coin?
OUR five-cent coin actually costs six cents to make. And today might be the day this annoying piece of shrapnel is killed off.
What the government isn’t mentioning
IT’S the issue that inspires protests and sparks fierce political fights, and you haven’t heard any ministers crowing about it in the lead-up to the Budget.
‘I thought I would leave in a body bag’
REBECA Carro narrowly escaped with her life when she fled a violent 10-year relationship. She’s worried funding cuts will mean other women won’t be so lucky.
Big problem the Budget won’t fix
IT’S the big thing news.com.au readers struggle with every day. But indications are it’s not something that will be fixed in today’s Budget.
Australians the Budget always rips off
THE Budget may as well be a bag full of nothing for all the good it will do these Australians.They always miss out.
Budget 2016 winners and losers
IN EVERY Budget there are those who win big and those who lose out. This time, women are among the winners.
What we know about the Budget so far
SUPER changes, tax cuts, spending on health, education, trains and fish. Here’s what we know so far about how the Budget tomorrow will impact Aussies.
Cuts they hoped you’d miss
WE’VE trawled through the Budget to find all the things the government is spending your money on - and other hidden nasties.
How the Federal Budget will affect you
EVERYONE from the young and struggling to the much older and more comfortable have been impacted by the Budget.
Turnbull’s simple message to voters
WHEN Malcolm Tunrbull hands down his first Budget as Prime Minister, he will essentially have one message for voters.
Turnbull’s odd tweet ruthlessly mocked
PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has prompted ridicule ahead of tomorrow’s Federal Budget with a bizarre tweet from Canberra this morning.
Turnbull to help fund major rail project
THE Federal Government will give money to Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel after the state treasurer claimed the PM “forgot” where Victoria was.
Truth about $80,000 ‘average wage’
WHEN Scott Morrison calls $80,000 the “average wage”, the pronouncement hides a murkier truth beneath the surface.
PM’s grandson Jack steals show
THE PM’s plans for a serious chat about education funding were derailed when his cute grandson stole the spotlight at a press conference.
Aussies’ political focus on Facebook
HE says he’s just a humble backbencher, but Tony Abbott continues to dominate political discussion, according to analysis by Facebook.
Government moves to protect tourism
A TURBO-charged Zika-killing program will be funded by the Federal Government as the Budget moves to capitalise on Queensland’s booming tourism industry.
What is negative gearing?
THE debate over negative gearing is dominating headlines at the moment. But what does it actually mean?
Loggerheads over housing prices
THE best way to make housing more affordable for young people all depends on who you talk to — Labor or the Coalition.
$5 billion Turnbull is ignoring
MALCOLM Turnbull is standing firm against making changes to Australia’s negative gearing system, despite a report that says it could boost the Budget.
Budget remains bust after boom
BE PREPARED for a worsening budget position on May 3 as China’s slowdown hits national income, a prominent economist warns.
Heading for housing showdown
AFTER years of inaction, it looks like Australia may be facing some big changes. So what should we expect?
‘We’re not going to put a tax on housing’
HOME ownership is set to become a key election battleground with the government ruling out changes to negative gearing.
Simple reason we need super changes
FOR those who still need a reason to support a crackdown on super, there’s one glaring perspective you need to consider.
Scott Morrison’s ‘dishonest’ backflip
WHEN the Coalition was in opposition, they mocked Wayne Swan for saying this. Now it may come back to bite Scott Morrison.
Banks will pay up, so will wealthy
FINALLY some details are emerging about what the Turnbull Government plans to do, and some key groups are in the firing line.
Changes Mal ‘doesn’t have stomach for’
THE Budget could make or break Malcolm Turnbull’s government, and unfortunately there’s one risky change he won’t go near.
Leaked ad reveals Budget details
A ‘HUMILIATING’ leak has revealed details of the government’s Budget measures as Malcolm Turnbull confirms expected election timing.
Turnbull’s brutal question for the voters
TODAY Malcolm Turnbull will confront Australian voters with a brutal equation as he gears up for the election campaign.
PM: ‘Every dollar ... will be funded’
MATHIAS Cormann appeared unconcerned about threats to Australia’s AAA credit rating, as Malcolm Turnbull said every dollar in the Federal Budget will be funded.
Budget looks at tobacco excise rise
AS the Turnbull government faces the risk of Australia losing its AAA credit rating, an increase in tobacco excise will reportedly be part of this year’s Federal Budget.
Australia’s AAA rating at risk
THE National Australia Bank has warned that Australia faces losing its AAA credit rating, unless spending is reined in for the Federal Budget.
Get ready to pay even after you die
IT’S a multi-billion dollar problem with a controversial solution. Could you be made to pay back your student loans after you die?
Got a uni debt? Prepare to pay up
A CRACKDOWN on uni loans is seeming more likely after new analysis showed just how much they will cost the government.
Monster eating into our pay packets
INCOME tax has become a monster that takes a $170 billion bite out of our wages each year — and it is set to chew through even more.
Morrison: ‘The PM called your bluff’
TREASURER Scott Morrison has indicated the idea to allow states to raise their own income tax was a high-stakes game of chicken.
Whoa, what happened this week?
MALCOLM Turnbull had a big week, floating ‘once in a generation’ reforms. But by Friday his ‘ideas boom’ had busted.
