Australians are under financial pressure and the government cannot "just sit back", the prime minister says, as his treasurer prepares to hand down the budget.
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.
Jim Chalmers hopes slashing red tape and winding back investor tax breaks will convince voters the dream of home ownership is still alive.
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.
Changes to the superannuation performance test will unlock more investment opportunities, the sector says, but concerns are raised over the scheme's integrity.
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.
Two transport groups say fuel excise is no longer running smoothly and the government needs to charge motorists based on how far they drive.
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.
The Reserve Bank governor was only talking about hypotheticals when saying extra government spending makes it harder to control inflation, the treasurer argues.
The NT budget offers no "lollies and sweets" but it cements the government's tough-on-crime approach, its architects say.
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.
The upcoming federal budget is widely tipped to pare back incentives for property investors as the prime minister promises to tackle intergenerational inequity.
Health, defence and welfare commitments are among fiscal pressures weighing on the federal budget as Treasurer Jim Chalmers vows to put a lid on spending.
Sydney's home price premium over Brisbane and Perth continues to narrow as values retreat in Australia's two largest cities.
The federal treasurer is being urged not to grandfather tax breaks for asset-holders in the budget as the economic impact of the Iran war worsens.
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.
The treasurer is playing down talk of an improvement to the federal budget bottom line after economists tipped an Iran war-driven revenue boon.
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.
As fuel costs soar, more consumers are choosing to buy now and pay later - and the biggest spenders may come as a surprise.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The US Army is about to significantly ramp up its acquisition of drones with plans to buy at least a million.
An overhaul of a signature Labor tax plan will cost the budget billions, but the treasurer says it shouldn't be seen in isolation.
budgets and budgeting
economic policy
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
politics
