‘Where the bloody hell are ya?’: NZ’s budget sledge
New Zealand is campaigning for Australian talent off the back of major tax reforms in the budget, with the Kiwi government also whacking the broken promise.
politics
Coalition’s bracket creep plan to cost tens of billions
The coalition's economic plan for Australia would hand back more money to workers by indexing tax rates to inflation at a cost of tens of billions of dollars.
UK’s Starmer faces battle for survival as rivals circle
Disastrous results for Labour in local elections have plunged Britain into a new crisis, as calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign grow.
Trump leaves Beijing with few wins, but praise for Xi
President Donald Trump has hailed his "incredible visit" to Beijing despite clinching major deals, while his hosts made their feelings known on Iran and Taiwan.
budgets and budgeting
construction and property
housing and urban planning
interest rate
politics
real estate
state budget and tax
Middle ring could be ‘hollowed out’ by tax overhaul
Tax changes in the federal budget will likely shift property investors to new houses in the outer suburbs and inner-city apartments, economists say.
UK minister quits and calls for contest to oust Starmer
A British senior minister has resigned from cabinet, paving the way for a leadership challenge and plunging Keir Starmer's prime ministership into crisis.
Former premier apologises for contempt of parliament
A former state premier has apologised for misleading parliament as government integrity looms as a key issue in an upcoming by-election.
Taylor faces ‘strategic error’ in seizing on migration
Angus Taylor is set to face one of his biggest challenges as opposition leader when he hands down his budget reply amid a growing challenge from One Nation.
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.
Ex-premier’s partner banned from contact in rape case
The partner of a former state premier will surrender his passport as part of bail conditions after being accused of rape and deprivation of liberty.
breaking_news
economy, business and finance
international (foreign) trade
international relations
military equipment
politics
tariff
trade agreements
unrest, conflicts and war
Mishandling Taiwan could spark conflict, Xi tells Trump
China's Xi Jinping has praised the progress of US trade talks but cautioned President Donald Trump that differences over Taiwan could result in confrontation.
Pleas for humanity in justice after teen dies in jail
A death in custody is sparking renewed calls for a government to change the way it deals with incarceration and to shed its "populist law and order agenda".
civil unrest
diplomacy
economy, business and finance
international (foreign) trade
military equipment
peace negotiations
politics
Iran war looms over Trump’s China visit
US President Donald Trump is expected to ask for China's help to resolve the costly and unpopular conflict with Iran, which he launched in late February.
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.
UK PM’s leadership woes overshadow parliament’s opening
Not even the pomp and ceremony of a speech by King Charles reopening parliament could distract from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership woes.
Rival’s threat to Starmer overshadows King’s Speech
Any hopes Prime Minister Keir Starmer had that the King's Speech would help him move on from his leadership woes, they were dashed by a colleague's shock move.
budgets and budgeting
diesel fuel
economy, business and finance
environmental issue
environmental politics
politics
Green groups warn climate courage missing from budget
Budget announcements for green industry and nature protection fall short as climate costs mount and opportunities to extract more fossil fuel income go missed.
Hanson refuses to condemn volunteer’s extremist posts
The social media history of a prominent One Nation volunteer has been called into question as the party's victor from Farrer arrives in Canberra.
breaking_news
diplomacy
economy, business and finance
military equipment
peace negotiations
politics
tariff
trade dispute
war
Trump arrives in Beijing for talks with China’s Xi
US President Donald Trump has arrived in Beijing for talks with counterpart Xi Jinping that are set to cover the Middle East, trade and Taiwan.
UK PM Keir Starmer to stare down leadership rival
Keir Starmer is digging in and refusing to quit as his colleagues descend into open division over the British prime minister's future.
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.
Critics pay out on PM for ‘cowardly’ gambling reforms
The Albanese government has drawn scorn from political rivals after tabling its response to the Murphy report on gambling reform in the shadow of the budget.
UK’s Starmer defies ‘destabilising’ calls to quit
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has told ministers he has no intention to resign and is getting on with governing amid calls in his party for him to go.
State integrity brawl spills into MPs’ private lives
A heated political row over integrity and conflicts of interest has erupted into a slanging match about MPs' private lives in a state parliament.
Doubts tougher penalties will deter crime gangs
A former cop and criminologist warns new laws increasing jail time for criminal syndicates won't deter them or the teens they hire to do their dirty work.
UK govt aides quit as 60 Labour MPs urge Starmer to go
Four government aides have resigned as they joined scores of Labour MPs calling for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to stand down after local election results.
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.
‘A problem for us’: coalition reveals One Nation fears
The Liberal and National parties aren't seen as parties of conviction, the opposition leader says after One Nation's historic victory in a by-election.