Will this budget really make housing fairer for more Australians? It’s a good start
After decades of wealthy investors getting a better deal, this budget finally tilts the scales for younger people trying to buy their first home.
Economy, Business and Finance
Senate confirms Warsh as chair of the Federal Reserve
The Senate has confirmed Kevin Warsh as chairman of the Federal Reserve.
Tax, migration and NDIS in coalition’s economic sights
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has unveiled a raft of economic policies aimed at winning back voter support and countering the rise of One Nation.
Watchdog seeks big penalty after Coles goes ‘Down Down’
The consumer watchdog will be seeking a "significant penalty" to act as a deterrent to Coles and others, after a court found the supermarket misled shoppers.
Aussie-made cane toad leather almost ready for market
It won't be long before Australian-made leather goods, produced from one of the country's most notorious invasive species, are available to purchase.
Australians move to regions seeking affordable housing
Australians are leaving the cities for inland areas as growing house prices shift migration patterns, bringing positive and negative flow-on effects.
Labor tucks away $77b war chest for further tax cuts
A new $250 a year tax offset gives the government an option to return bracket creep directly to working Australians, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says.
budgets and budgeting
economic policy
economy, business and finance
inflation and deflation
interest rate
politics
Budget spending stokes fears of further rate rise pain
An extra $114 billion in federal government spending will be directed off-budget as the treasurer claims a "historically responsible" fiscal update.
Tax relief for workers and pain for investors in budget
Australians who earn a wage will get $250 in tax relief as part of Labor's budget, but investors and wealthy families could be left worse off.
Bleak outlook for national economy if Iran war drags on
Higher budget spending won't help the Reserve Bank, economists warn, as a prolonged war in the Middle East is forecast to push inflation above seven per cent.
Last-minute budget pitch to ‘level field’ for young
Labor has made a pre-budget pitch to young Australians on social media as the government shakes up the tax system to help more people buy homes.
Rail project axing pulls ‘economic rug’ from regions
The Nationals have urged the federal government not to scrap billions of dollars of funding for the inland rail project ahead of the federal budget.
Trump says Iran’s response to US proposal unacceptable
Oil prices have surged higher after Donald Trump labelled Iran's response to a US proposal aimed at ending the war as "totally unacceptable".
Big state fuel buffer to protect against foreign shocks
South Australia could stockpile up to 20 million litres of diesel, touting a bigger fuel buffer than larger jurisdictions, as states rush to lock in supplies.
breaking_news
budgets and budgeting
construction and property
economic policy
house building
housing and urban planning
politics
public finance
Budget builds up to shift for ‘broken’ housing market
An extra $2 billion will be pledged in the budget to build sewerage and roads for new homes as the treasurer frames housing policy as a remedy to populism.
Grandfather of Inland Rail won’t let project die
The so‑called grandfather of Inland Rail says the half‑built 'train to nowhere' can still be saved, pitching a private plan to finish the route.
Labor plots budget housing boost to fend off One Nation
Jim Chalmers hopes slashing red tape and winding back investor tax breaks will convince voters the dream of home ownership is still alive.
Full steam ahead: billions more locked in for rail line
The federal taxpayer's stake in Victoria's massive Suburban Rail Loop public transport project has ballooned to $6 billion, as regional rail gets the axe.
Price impact uncertain from gas reservation scheme
Households have not be guaranteed how much gas prices in east coast markets will come down under a reservation scheme.
‘Decline’: housing downturn looms as rate hikes bite
Higher rates and affordability pressures are threatening to push the housing market into a decline, with prices in the two biggest cities already on the slide.
Rising star accused of lying under oath in Rebel feud
A young actor has been accused of giving false evidence in the witness box as the curtains close on her blockbuster defamation trial against Rebel Wilson.
anti-trust crime
business enterprises
company information
computer crime
computing and information technology
corporate crime
it/computer sciences
science and technology
security
software
‘Dumb, rich and insured’: hackers target Aussie firms
Australian businesses are growing targets for online criminal gangs and an executive whose company was attacked warns it is hard to avoid.
Rebel says producer was ‘obsessed’ with rising star
A producer has denied Rebel Wilson's claims that she was fixated on a young actor who allegedly accused her of sexual harassment.
Cyber attack exposes student and staff private details
A global cyber attack has revealed the names of students and staff in schools and universities, with authorities scrambling to contact those affected.
Kyle and Jackie O’s former home left counting the cost
"Brand safety concerns" by national advertisers cost the radio station company that ran the Kyle and Jackie O Show about $26.4 million in a year.
Lenders told to ‘support customers’ facing hard times
Lenders must watch out for customers because the corporate regulator won't take a backward step as households face hardship, the outgoing ASIC chair will warn.
breaking_news
budgets and budgeting
economic policy
economy, business and finance
mining
politics
state budget and tax
Fuel bonus as WA posts eighth straight budget surplus
More than $1 billion in cost-of-living relief will be shared in Western Australia as the state capitalises on an iron ore uplift to bank another budget surplus.
Shock lottery deal ‘handcuffs’ state to gambling sector
A surprise state lottery deal has "handcuffed" future governments to the gambling industry and undone years of reform, a leading advocate says.
National fuel reserve ‘future-proofed’ in $10b plan
Australia has taken steps to shore up security of fuel and fertiliser under a multibillion-dollar package as supply chains remain disrupted by the Iran war.
banking
central bank
diesel fuel
economy, business and finance
government
interest rate
mortgages
petrol
politics
state budget and tax
Oil crisis not over: warnings of diesel over $4 a litre
With the Strait of Hormuz still shut and stockpiles running down, economists warn fuel prices could spike above levels previously seen during this oil crisis.
‘Train to nowhere’: fury at Inland Rail cutback
A major rail corridor spanning much of Australia's east will be left half finished due to budget blowouts as furious farmers brand it a major missed chance.