Cost of living
Perspective
Government
Queensland’s Aldi-version of a supermarket pricing probe takes full flight
A federal inquiry saw Woolworths’ chief executive threatened with jail. The state effort has seen a maybe not-so surprising intervention from the Premier.
- by Matt Dennien
Latest
‘A really stark indicator’: People slashing food spending to cope with rising costs
As prices continue to increase, new data shows persistent cost-of-living pressures are making households re-evaluate their shopping lists.
- by Rachel Clun
Why petrol prices are rising – and risk keeping inflation and rates high
Petrol has hit new highs in Sydney and Melbourne recently and the NRMA says oil prices aren’t to blame.
- by Rachel Clun
What we know about the budget so far
The government has already made plenty of budget announcements worth billions, covering everything from income tax cuts to manufacturing, housing and defence.
- by Rachel Clun
Who’s bankrolling Sydney’s private school fees? The bank of nan and pop
More parents are missing school payments as they struggle with massive mortgage payments. Cashed-up baby boomers are here to help.
- by Christopher Harris
Opinion
Federal budget
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
Metronet costs balloon by $700 million as state pays to get people moving
Stage one of the Labor government’s flagship Metronet project climbed $2 billion in 2023 alone, taking the total cost of the network to around $11.5 billion.
- by Holly Thompson
Relief for struggling families but Victoria’s crushing debt burden to rise
Support for parents of school children and housing affordability will be priorities in a state budget that will show Victoria’s net debt hitting a new peak.
- by Annika Smethurst, Kieran Rooney and Rachel Eddie
Landlords hike rents nearly 50 per cent since the lows of lockdown
Rental prices for units have skyrocketed since COVID-19 lockdown, and house rents have jumped too. Is any relief in sight?
- by Jemimah Clegg
Opinion
Property market
Coalition’s super-for-housing policy would only help wealthier homebuyers
The Coalition’s plan to allow Australians to use their super for housing would disproportionately help wealthier people buy more expensive homes.
- by Brendan Coates and Joey Moloney
Guess who we overtook? Perth rental growth is country’s highest
Landlords have hiked rents more than 70 per cent since their COVID low point, with Perth’s now the third-most expensive rental market in the country.
- by Sarah Brookes