‘Peddling lies’: gas sector vents as tax pressure rises
The minister responsible for gas in Australia has poured cold water on calls for an export tax as industry figures insist they pay their fair share.
state budget and tax
Rego rebate to ease pain at the pump for motorists
Motorists in one state will receive a one-off rebate on car registration to ease cost-of-living pressure as fuel prices soar across the country.
Billion-dollar boost to build, upgrade defence vehicles
Australia is set to spend more than $1 billion building and upgrading defence vehicles in a move that will help bolster the weapons manufacturing industry.
‘Tiny’ tax returns on gas has leading economist fuming
Australians have finite stocks of gas and other natural resources and deserve a fair return on them, an inquiry has been told as calls grow for tax reform.
Battle lines harden as gas giants take on tax proposal
Gas producers have mounted a full-throated defence of their tax contributions in an inquiry exploring opportunities for higher export levies.
Resources minister defends gas companies amid tax push
The gas lobby says a new levy on LNG exports will make Australia "uninvestable", arguing comparisons to countries like Norway don't stack up.
There’s a problem with making public transport free
Cutting public transport fares is great for people who already catch it but doesn't do much to help those for whom it is too inaccessible or infrequent.
Embattled motorists win bowser relief as taxes slashed
The government has moved to cut taxes on petrol and diesel, as the Middle East war sends global oil prices through the roof.
‘Broken and unfair’: states urge change to GST carve-up
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.
Aussie drivers divided over petrol vs electric future
Many Australian motorists plan to park an electric or hybrid vehicle in their garage in future but one policy change could alter their path.
‘Florid ramblings’: minister takes aim at CFMEU report
A minister has launched an extraordinary attack on the work of a top barrister probing CFMEU corruption as pressure builds on his party's leader.
‘Right the ship’: polluters tax could be vote spinner
An ex-Labor strategist turned pollster says there are votes in taxing Australia's biggest polluters through reframing the debate and evolving demographics.
Global minimum tax deal update backed by 145 countries
A 15 per cent global minimum tax framework has been kept as countries approved an update that allows carve-outs for some US companies.
Self-interest widening wealth gap between old and young
Bridging the gap in wealth between older and young Australians will require a major recalibration in housing attitudes and policies, a leading economist says.
Budget blowout ‘modest’ for Australia’s Olympic hosts
The mid-year budget report card has revealed a "modest" budget blowout as one state continues counting down to the 2032 Olympic Games.
‘Christmas grinch’: public service cuts as wages soar
Top dogs have not escaped the wrath of more than 1000 public service job cuts, with a state desperate to rein in wages and debt.
Extent of illegal cigarette sales in Australia revealed
Australia's illicit tobacco black market is in rude health, with estimates for the market share of illegally sold cigarettes ranging from 25 to 65 per cent.
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.
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.