US Congress approves bill to avert government shutdown
Facing a government shutdown, US Congress has passed a funding package while defying Donald Trump's demand to also greenlight trillions of dollars in new debt.
budgets and budgeting
Productivity slump worsens Australia’s deficit dilemma
Australia needs to get productivity growth back on track to pay for structural spending increases and avoid endless deficits, economists warn.
Deficits dig deeper holes as cracks appear in budget
Australia is on track for a soft economic landing despite budget deficits set to widen as spending grows and tax receipts fall, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says.
Mining export slump puts federal budget in the doldrums
Economic headwinds from China has sparked a major downgrade to Australia's budget position, limiting the government's ability to support struggling households.
Borrowing blowout tipped in mid-year budget update
The federal government is expected to reveal a downgrade to its budget forecasts in its mid-year fiscal update as Australia's tax sugar-rush fades.
PM to resign as France’s political crisis deepens
Michel Barnier will quit as prime minister after a historic no-confidence vote, but the next government will face the same problems getting its budget passed.
auto trends
automotive equipment
budgets and budgeting
consumer issue - macro economics
consumers
economy (general)
road transport
transport
Deals on the bus go down, down: transport costs plunge
Transport costs have fallen for Australian households, a report shows, led by public transport discounts and falling fuel prices.
France ‘at turning point’ ahead of no-confidence vote
A French minister is warning colleagues "not to plunge the country into uncertainty" as Michel Barnier's government faces a historic collapse over the budget.
Call to boost Aussie research funds as review launches
A study of Australian research investments has been welcomed by business, academic and technology groups, but some say more urgent action is needed.
Hint of consumer recovery to keep RBA focused on prices
Australia's retail sales enjoyed a boost from an early start to Black Friday discounting and recovering bank balances following tax cuts.
‘Surprise’ budget windfalls drying up, economists warn
Australia's budget fortunes are shifting, with Deloitte Access Economics predicting a deeper deficit than predicted in the May budget.
‘A sliver’: don’t expect oversized budget windfalls
Falling iron ore prices and a weaker labour market will weigh on this year's revenue upgrades, the federal treasurer says.
UK Labour raises taxes by most since 1993
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has raised UK taxes by $A79 billion to cover a shortfall inherited by the new Labour government.
Budget blowout won’t impact police frontline: premier
A $116 million budget blowout will not impact frontline police services, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli says as he vows to bolster their ranks.
LNP drum up support after dancing around costings
The Queensland opposition has drummed up interest for its youth crime prevention measures after being accused of dancing around costings ahead of the election.
budgets and budgeting
electricity production and distribution
energy
environmental issue
health
hospital and clinic
medical service
politics
Time for a check-up: hospitals not yet climate ready
All-electric hospitals could cut emissions by using clean energy under a proposed retrofit that would also keep services on during power cuts and catastrophes.
banking
budgets and budgeting
commodity markets
economy, business and finance
housing and urban planning
mining
mortgages
China stimulus a ‘very good development for Australia’
After iron ore prices plunged by more than a third since the start of the year, Chinese stimulus measures spell good news for the Australian budget.
Second budget surplus in reach as inflation runs hot
Another forecast budget surplus would help in the fight against rising prices, says the government amid pressure over the latest hot inflation readout.
Living cost relief, housing top ACT’s budget priorities
Cost-of-living help has been handed to struggling to households in an ACT budget that also vies to tackle the housing crisis and other slower-burn challenges.
Bulk-billing hope with GP deal to end tax stand-off
Fears of shuttered GP clinics or more patients being slugged with gap payments have been allayed, but there's concern over the overall NSW health budget.
Rates on hold yet inflation risks remain on RBA’s radar
The threat of inflation has not been neutralised and the Reserve Bank is still prepared to pull the trigger on another interest rate hike if needed.
Ex-premier blasts LNP successor for backing govt budget
LNP leader David Crisafulli's support for funded projects in Labor's last budget before the Queensland election has been slammed by ex-premier Campbell Newman.
Record $26b green energy boost for emissions target bid
Queensland Labor has earmarked huge funds for green power, storage and transmission projects to support the state's emissions targets.
Tax cuts and tourist fees in NZ budget ‘clean-up job’
Income tax relief for Kiwis and higher fees for tourists have been revealed in the first budget of New Zealand's coalition government.
I haven’t forgotten what it means to struggle: Albanese
As Labor faces criticism over the cost of living relief it has provided vulnerable Australians, the prime minister says he hasn't forgotten the struggle.
Dutton’s target on migrants a ‘race to the bottom’
A coalition plan to slash migration has been labelled as "xenophobia" and Labor is being urged not to allow the "racist trope" to dictate the housing debate.
Dutton pledges to slash migration to fix housing crisis
Peter Dutton has laid out a plan to get Australia "back on track" in his budget response that would crack down on migration and international students.
Treasurer backs rebates for all in cost-of-living fight
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has defended the use of $300 energy rebates for all households in the federal budget, despite calls to means test the measure.
Economists warn budget could ‘poke inflationary bear’
Loosened purse strings cast doubts over the inflation-fighting credentials of the Albanese government's third budget, which also points to a weakening economy.
Antarctic mission and Great Barrier Reef secure funding
Australia's research in Antarctica has been boosted, with Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek saying it will better protect our natural world.
No ‘glamour’ in Territory’s crime-busting budget
The Northern Territory has unveiled a crime-fighting budget, with cash also splashed to improve schools before an election in August.