This Month
- Opinion
- Opinion
As budget bonanza flows, fiscal caution is the first casualty
The rivers of resources gold coming into the government’s coffers are turning into most expensive marginal seat strategy in the nation’s history.
- Chris Richardson
Albanese kills early election talk, plans two more budgets
The PM said the 2025 budget would be brought forward to March, setting the scene for the government serving the full three-year term, rather than holding a snap poll before Christmas.
- Updated
- Phillip Coorey
Nickel tax breaks a coup for ‘the other minerals council’
The government’s consideration of tax credits for critical minerals producers is emblematic of a Perth lobby group’s rise from obscurity to influence.
- Peter Ker
Chaney, McManus, Pocock back $30m push for ethics institute
Leading business figures, union leaders, politicians and academics want the federal government to help establish a national ethics institute.
- Updated
- Tom Rabe and Patrick Durkin
- Exclusive
- Roads
States to be forced to give up secret road crash data
Amid growing alarm over the rising road toll, pressure from Senator David Pocock is set to link $50 billion in federal road funding to state crash data transparency.
- Jacob Greber
‘Beyond comprehension’: WA’s GST deal to blow out to $50b
Economists Saul Eslake and Chris Richardson say the cost of a GST deal negotiated by the Turnbull government to win votes in WA could blow out to $50 billion.
- Phillip Coorey and Tom McIlroy
Federal auditor to probe Labor’s $2.2b Suburban Rail Loop commitment
The auditor-general will examine whether the approval of Commonwealth funding for the $125 billion project was “informed by appropriate departmental advice”.
- Gus McCubbing
‘No strings attached’ for nearly $1b in federal grants
Almost $1 billion of taxpayers’ money is being paid out annually in government grants that have been awarded without proper competitive assessments.
- Tom McIlroy
- Opinion
- Opinion
Media theatrics over stage three cuts obscure a good policy choice
Voters were quicker to welcome a decision that benefited millions than journalists who were transfixed by a political horse race.
- Laura Tingle
- Opinion
- Opinion
Forget tax cuts, fix NDIS or heads must roll
The budget hole from the NDIS is now so serious that hard, honest truths must be told and a big light shone on Bill Shorten, Jim Chalmers and Katy Gallagher.
- John Kehoe
Australia avoids ‘iceberg’ but debt on track to hit $1.4 trillion
Total government debt could be worth as much as 58 per cent of GDP by 2027 according to a new paper from the Centre for Independent Studies.
- Samantha Hutchinson
January
Teals seek ‘brave’ conversation on tax reform
Zoe Daniel and Kate Chaney are calling on the Albanese government “to put everything on the table” in a sweeping review of tax policy.
- Lois Maskiell
- Updated
- Spending
Stage three tax cuts under scrutiny as PM woos voters
Cabinet looks set to discuss changes to the stage three tax cuts on Tuesday, as part of efforts to help with cost-of-living pressures facing low and middle income earners.
- Tom McIlroy, John Kehoe and Andrew Tillett
Seven ways Labor could help ease cost-of-living pain
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will unveil new help for households this week, as Labor seeks to shake off a summer slump at the start of the new political year.
- Tom McIlroy
Iron ore price surge delivers Labor an $18b tax windfall
The surge in iron ore to $US145 per tonne bolsters the prospect of a second budget surplus, and comes as Labor plans another round of subsidies for voters.
- Updated
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Cowardice and populism must not mark politics in 2024
This will be an election year in all but name. Anthony Albanese has to finally live up to the economic reform challenges
- The AFR View
December 2023
- Opinion
- Political leadership
Odds for 2024 point to another close Labor win in 2025
A growing number of Australian voters are looking for genuine leadership in both major parties, but find them wanting.
- Updated
- John Black
- Opinion
- Opinion
The stage three tax cuts exist in a different world from 2019
As bracket creep starts to bite harder, the Albanese government might want to start rethinking where its tax cut focus should be.
- Laura Tingle
‘A milking cow’: states lash Commonwealth over infrastructure funding
Victoria will get just 1.6 per cent of new priority infrastructure spending over five years, and cuts are expected to cause a $1.6 billion hit to NSW’s budget.
- Gus McCubbing and Samantha Hutchinson
Chalmers backs in tax relief for bracket creep
The budget bottom line has been boosted by $39.6 billion over the four-year forward estimates since May, and is back on track for a surplus this financial year.
- Phillip Coorey and Michael Read
