Responsibility, not legacy driving Chalmers to reform
Jim Chalmers' economic roundtable will likely present some low-hanging fruit around regulation but hefty tax reform will be more challenging for him to grasp.
state budget and tax
Productivity to dominate agenda as symposium begins
After weeks of build up, arguably the biggest event of Australia's economic calendar is set to begin as the government seeks answers to withered productivity.
‘It’s crunch time’: productivity puzzle must be solved
Australia must cut unnecessary red tape and boost business investment if young people are to be better off than their parents, the productivity chief says.
Folbigg review push as $2m ‘plucked out of the air’
Mystery surrounds the calculation of a $2 million offer to compensate Kathleen Folbigg for 20 years of wrongful imprisonment, prompting calls for more scrutiny.
‘Not right’: Australia urged to wind back tax breaks
Reforms to Australia's tax system have been politically risky, but without urgent action, home ownership could be out of reach for the nation's workers.
Treasurer to trumpet teamwork in face of US trade wars
Countries are being urged not to bow to Donald Trump's trade demands as Australia's treasurer prepares to meet with his global counterparts.
‘Cruel’ Trump move to shake Aussies’ trust in US
Donald Trump's controversial bill, which would slash health programs and fund tax cuts, could prompt already sceptical Australians to further question US ties.
Australians warned to not jump the gun on tax return
The national tax office has warned Australians to be patient in lodging their tax returns as the financial year comes to an end.
War of words over GST carve-up as states butt heads
Two states are going head to head over the GST carve-up after one claimed it was given an unfair shortfall to cover COVID-19 failures.
Funding fires starter’s gun for Brisbane 2032 Games
The countdown to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics has begun with a state government allocating almost $150 million to Games infrastructure in a milestone budget.
Alarm as LNP takes wind out of energy plan, renewables
Plans to prop up ageing coal-fired power stations by a state government have been labelled a "waste of money" amid concerns over its energy transition.
‘Boring’ budget to get finances ready for future shocks
Having sped up home approvals, a building laggard is shifting focus to getting construction going in a bid to reduce the biggest strain on family finances.
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.
Debt forecast has alarm bells ringing for Olympic hosts
A state government's debt is set to reach record heights as it plans an Olympics, with the threat of higher borrowing costs for major infrastructure projects.
Health levy a bitter pill to mend sick territory budget
Ratepayers will cop a $250 levy to help plug a health funding shortfall in the ACT budget, which also included investment in housing and cost-of-living relief.
Major boost for tradie students to solve housing crisis
Tradies will be able to complete their apprenticeships for free as a state government tries to ease the housing crisis.
ACT budget on life support amid health funding woes
As he readies his first budget, ACT Treasurer Chris Steel warns the territory's finances are unsustainable without a health funding boost from the Commonwealth.
Animal cruelty action dogged by tight leash on funds
Advocates say animals will suffer after a cruelty investigator had to cut its operations, but a state government says there's no "endless supply" of funds.
Budget billions helps cashed-up state lead debt battle
A seventh surplus budget for the nation's richest state sets it apart from other jurisdictions as it enjoys the lowest debt levels in the country.
Big-spending budget raises questions over living relief
A cash splash from the nation's richest state is targeting housing supply and health but critics say there should have been greater cost-of-living relief.
Heartbroken mum urges free vaccines for deadly disease
After watching her son die in a few hours, a grieving parent is lobbying a state government to help prevent the disease that killed him.
Vance downplays row between Trump, ’emotional guy’ Musk
US Vice President JD Vance has sought to downplay Elon Musk's criticism of the president as an "emotional guy" who became frustrated.
Steelworks sale on track despite hit on state budget
The sale of a steelworks is tracking better than expected after a state government handed down its no frills budget.
Voters forgo sugar-hit as law and order tops budget
A pre-election budget has few sweeteners for voters as a state government focuses on boosting its law and order credentials with a $395 million package.
Liberal premier in crosshairs, fresh election possible
A Liberal state could be heading for a fresh election, with its minority premier vowing to fight on in the face of a no-confidence motion he is set to lose.
Liberal debt to double, state companies face sell-off
A state government is hanging its hat on potential asset sales and a public sector "efficiency unit" as means to pay down ballooning budget debt.
Premier denies ticketless fares revamp is off the rails
A completion delay and cost blowout on ticketless public transport fares for commuters doesn't mean the overhaul has hit the skids, a premier insists.
‘Wafer-thin’ budget surplus won’t fix debt problem
One unforeseen event would likely erode a state's long-awaited return to surplus, as its treasurer attempts to tame mounting debt in her first budget.
Debt piles up as public service faces $3b budget cut
Taxpayers are set to foot the bill as interest on debt eats a $29-million-a-day hole in a state budget, despite public service job cuts and higher tax revenue.
Billion-dollar promise to fix crime woes in Top End
More prison beds and a crackdown on parents who don't send their kids to school are among a territory government's big-ticket budget promises.
Frugal Kiwi government takes axe to central bank budget
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is "redesigning" its operations after the government announced funding cuts of 25 per cent from July.