Today
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Solar panels debunking makes case for critical minerals leg-up
Even in a world of geopolitical and supply chain risk, the old economic orthodoxies of international specialisation and comparative advantage still apply.
- 33 mins ago
- The AFR View
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Australia’s new course is to be managed decline
The budget is our politics writ small: too lacking in confidence and optimism to seek out new growth.
- John Roskam
Budget is pure politics
Readers letters on Jim Chalmers’ federal budget; Scott Morrison’s meeting with Donald Trump; and Gina Rinehart’s push against her portrait in The National Gallery of Australia.
Jobless jump could unwind next month, economists say
Economists predict some of the lift in unemployment in April may unwind in May, amid broader signs the jobs market remains strong and is absorbing a surge in migrants.
- Updated
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- Federal budget
It’s right for Australia to join the critical minerals subsidy rush
The scepticism about government interventions is understandable. But this time, they are creating new industries of immense value.
- Warren Pearce
RBA will ignore budget’s ‘miracle’ inflation forecast
Former Reserve Bank official Jonathan Kearns has cast doubt on whether the budget can produce a “magical” drop in inflation beyond the short term.
- John Kehoe
RBA says ‘no quick fix’ to house prices
RBA chief economist Sarah Hunter warns that undersupply of homes means house prices and rents will continue to rise as the market fails to keep pace with strong demand.
- Michael Read
What happens when Australia’s Boomers hand $5 trillion to their heirs
This week on The Fin podcast, Lucy Dean and Joanna Mather explain what’s happening in the great wealth transfer and how it will shape the economy, politics and intergenerational rivalry.
Yesterday
‘Dangerous’ to rely on key budget number given $80b spending splurge
More than $80 billion of under-the-radar spending on initiatives such as Snowy Hydro, NBN and clean energy undermines budget deficit forecasts, Saul Eslake says.
- John Kehoe
Investors welcome Chalmers’ new ‘front door’ service (with caveats)
Big investors want to be consulted as the proposal for an investment concierge moves from budget papers into reality.
- John Kehoe
Unions to ramp up pay claims despite inflation slowdown
Unions want to make up for “lost ground” after years of cost-of-living pressure, despite Treasury forecasts that inflation could fall beneath 3 per cent by Christmas.
- Updated
- Michael Read and David Marin-Guzman
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Chalmers is telling a big budget fib
Treasurer Jim Chalmers stood in front of 600 guests at his post-budget speech in Parliament House on Wednesday and repeated a misleading number about spending.
- John Kehoe
Projected cash deficits are inflationary, financially irresponsible
Readers’ letters on Labor’s budget; Sir Frank Lowy’s views on antisemitism; the flaw in the Tax Practitioners Board’s proposed breach reporting obligations; and Australia’s chance to be bold.
- Opinion
- Global economy
US-China trade war choices for Chalmers’ green budget
The new incentives for critical minerals and green hydrogen are about more than industry policy. They will play out in a global contest over rival political systems.
- Richard McGregor
‘Higher costs, more taxes’: Business warns budget could fuel inflation
Business has warned the third Chalmers budget could add to inflation, and urged the government to rein in spending to prevent a decade of deficits.
- Michael Read
This Month
Decade of deficits to spark debt interest surge
While Treasurer Jim Chalmers was spruiking debt in 2023-24 being $904 billion, gross debt is forecast to rise sharply in the years ahead.
- Ronald Mizen
NDIS spending blows out by $5.4b
The budget reveals government spending on the NDIS ballooned by another 21 per cent in 2023-24, with the scheme tipped to cost $61 billion by 2027.
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Why Andrew Forrest is a big budget winner
Jim Chalmers’ $23 billion bet on turning Australia into a green industry superpower ignores many of the issues on the top of the business sector’s wishlist.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Gender and family advocates will have to wait a bit longer
The issue with announcing a rise in wages for childcare workers is that there is a multi-enterprise bargaining process underway.
- Sally Patten
Super on parental leave adds $4250 to retirement balance
The government will also spend $55.6 million over four years to establish the Building Women’s Careers program.
- Sally Patten and Joanne Tran
