Consumers feeling merry in time for a Christmas splurge
Australian consumers are the most optimistic they've been since early 2022 despite fading prospects of more interest rate cuts.
state budget and tax
Tobacco tax cut ‘no fix’ to $4b smugglers’ paradise
Public health experts are urging authorities not to get the jitters on tobacco taxes as the economic cost of Australia's black market trade explodes.
NZ Labour apes Albo’s Labor with ‘Medicard’ policy
Australia's Medicare card would have a Kiwi equivalent if NZ Labour wins office, after a major policy play by Opposition Leader Chris Hipkins.
Abuse claims surge against childcare, pre-school staff
Allegations of abuse and misconduct involving childcare workers and early educators are on the rise, a watchdog warns.
Ex-senator takes scalpel to spending in debut budget
The public service will be "right-sized" and discretionary government spending tightened in a state budget weighed down by growing debt.
Accountants, ombudsman lash tax office service
The ATO has declined a Tax Ombudsman suggestion to re-route calls from accountants to experienced staff as pressures mount between tax agents and the agency.
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.
Funds freezed for Democratic states in US shutdown slap
Moves make clear President Donald Trump would carry out his threat to take advantage of a government shutdown to punish political opponents and extend control.
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.
Government shutdown begins as division rules Washington
Deep partisan division has prevented Congress and the White House from reaching a deal to avoid a US government shutdown, risking a long and gruelling standoff.
Electric road fees push sparks-up to plug fuel tax gap
EV users are closer to paying road maintenance fees as the nation's treasurers meet to work out a way to fund a shortfall of drivers paying less excise on fuel.
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.
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.