Federal budget
So what is Albonomics, and what will it mean for Australia?
When he came to power, Anthony Albanese’s economic priorities were hard to discern. Two years on, his vision is clear.
- by Shane Wright
Latest
Opinion
Opinion
Chalmers has navigated a steady course. But can he nail a tricky landing?
Like a pilot negotiating fierce crosswinds, Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ dexterity will be judged on whether the economic landing is soft or hard.
- by Peter Hartcher
Labor adds billions to state deals on housing
Albanese struck a deal with state and territory leaders on Friday to inject more cash into construction, including a five-year agreement on social housing.
- by David Crowe
Analysis
Population
Chalmers wakes the baby debate the country needs
Jim Chalmers is not planning a fertility police squad in next week’s budget, but his comments on the birth rate go to an issue the world needs to debate.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
For subscribers
If Chalmers gets the budget wrong, interest rate rises may kill his government
For Treasurer Jim Chalmers, this budget is existential. Bad decisions could increase unemployment or provoke more interest rate rises. Both would be political nails in the government’s coffin.
- by Shane Wright
Exclusive
Jim Chalmers
Australia, let’s have more babies, says Jim Chalmers
Australians are having fewer children with the fertility rate tumbling. The treasurer says people should think about having more kids.
- by Shane Wright and David Crowe
Blown-out North East Link’s extra $3.25 billion gets Albanese’s thumbs up
Next week’s federal budget will feature extra money for the blown-out road project, bringing the Commonwealth’s contribution to $5 billion.
- by Broede Carmody
Opinion
Political leadership
Albanese’s is an ‘experimental’ government – and it looks like the experiment is failing
It’s the first federal government I’ve seen that has sought to build most of its political and policy mandate after winning office rather than before it.
- by Shaun Carney
Households bank on tax cuts and anti-inflation budget plans
Tax cuts, worth on average $1888, and a further round of cost-of-living measures will be at the heart of Jim Chalmers’ third budget.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
National security
When politicians fire up on ‘security’, my bulldust detector goes to DEFCON 1
Using “security” as a justification for a policy initiative opens the door to interventions that are, in the words of former Treasury secretary Dr Ken Henry, “frankly, bad”.
- by Ross Gittins
Updated
Interest rates
RBA inflation outlook ups pressure on Chalmers ahead of budget
The Reserve Bank revealed it expects price pressures to grow through the rest of the year, which may require another lift in official interest rates.
- by Rachel Clun and Shane Wright