Budget to address ‘immediate needs’ of households: PM
The upcoming federal budget is widely tipped to pare back incentives for property investors as the prime minister promises to tackle intergenerational inequity.
budgets and budgeting
Right tax moves matter more than mandates: treasurer
Expected changes to negative gearing or capital gains tax would not break an election promise because they would be for the right reasons, Jim Chalmers says.
More cops, jail guards as territory budget fights crime
The NT budget offers no "lollies and sweets" but it cements the government's tough-on-crime approach, its architects say.
Treasurer hoses down talk of big budget handouts
The Reserve Bank governor was only talking about hypotheticals when saying extra government spending makes it harder to control inflation, the treasurer argues.
Islamic State-linked cohort to face arrest on return
A group of 13 women and children are set to return to Australia after years spent in a Syrian refugee camp following the fall of Islamic State.
End of the free ride: studies call for road user charge
Two transport groups say fuel excise is no longer running smoothly and the government needs to charge motorists based on how far they drive.
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.
Worse to come as oil crisis adds fuel to rate-pain fire
A rate hike in May is forecast by analysts after the Iran oil shock pushed the annual headline inflation level to the highest point in almost three years.
NDIS in treasurer’s sights as budget outlook darkens
The treasurer is playing down talk of an improvement to the federal budget bottom line after economists tipped an Iran war-driven revenue boon.
‘Pretty severe’: warnings for Australia ahead of budget
One of the world's leading economic bodies has warned a global recession could be on the way if the Middle East conflict is not resolved quickly.
Spoils of Iran war to deliver Chalmers a budget boost
The federal budget will be billions of dollars better off, even with added spending, because of higher commodity prices and inflation, a top economist says.
Reality bites as Gen X defers cost of living
As fuel costs soar, more consumers are choosing to buy now and pay later - and the biggest spenders may come as a surprise.
Treasurer softens up voters for ‘hard decisions’ on tax
The government will warn of a hit to economic growth and Australia's productivity performance in the upcoming budget, raising the stakes for ambitious reform.
‘Broken and unfair’: states urge change to GST carve-up
The cost to Australian taxpayers of a contentious GST carve-up will rise by another $6.6 billion in 2026/27, sparking fresh anger from critics of the deal.
Oil shock further reason for tax reform, spending cuts
An economic downturn might be needed to bring inflation back to target, economists warn, but the government can help with spending cuts and productivity reform.
One tax still off the table as treasurer weighs reform
The International Monetary Fund report is calling for a hike in the GST and other tax changes, while praising the handling of Australia's economy.
Greens hold door open to capital gains tax reforms
Support from the Greens could hold the key to opening the door to capital gains tax changes as the government ponders reforms the opposition says it won't back.
Chalmers spins battery blowout into budget savings
Clever accounting has been used by the treasurer to claim the government's policy decisions improved the budget bottom line for the first time in eight years.
Budget update to reveal Australia’s fiscal fortunes
The federal treasurer says he's booked another $20 billion in savings in the budget update, but is keeping mum on whether that means a smaller deficit.
Savings found in budget update as blowouts add up
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has revealed billions of dollars in savings as other projects in the budget blow out amid "grave" concerns over its bottom line.
Tax reform call as data centre boom plugs in investment
A jump in forecast business investment in the midyear budget update will be unveiled by the treasurer, which bodes well for Australia's productivity growth.
US Army to buy one million drones, in major acquisition
The US Army is about to significantly ramp up its acquisition of drones with plans to buy at least a million.
France’s Macron pressed to end political ‘mess’
France's President Emmanuel Macron desperately needs a circuit breaker amid growing political chaos.
France’s Macron will appoint new PM ‘in next 48 hours’
'The president of the republic will appoint a prime minister within the next 48 hours," French caretaker prime minister Sebastien Lecornu says.
Treasurer defends $4b hit from super tax backdown
An overhaul of a signature Labor tax plan will cost the budget billions, but the treasurer says it shouldn't be seen in isolation.
Trump uses government shutdown to dole out revenge
President Donald Trump is mulling "temporary or permanent" spending cuts that could set up a lose-lose dynamic for Democratic politicians.
Trump’s tax-cut bill heads to a final vote in US House
The US House is preparing to vote on President Donald Trump's massive tax breaks and spending bill after Republicans spent the night wrangling holdouts.
Congress approves Trump sweeping tax-cut, spending bill
President Donald Trump's tax cut package will be signed into law after Congress voted in favour of the "Big Beautiful Bill".
US Senate struggling to pass Trump’s $5 trillion bill
Voting continues into a second day as senators try to pass President Donald Trump's tax-cut and spending bill, which will add $5 trillion to the US's debt.
Nest eggs on the boil as super guarantee cracks open
Award wages, super contributions and energy bills are rising as a new financial year rings changes for households.
Surplus in sight but few sweeteners in ‘careful’ budget
A nation-first approach to back up housing projects headlines Australia's largest state budget as critics attack surplus projections and support for services.