Labor happy with softer housing market since budget
Tax changes in the federal budget are already helping to level the playing field, according to the housing minister.
state budget and tax
Labor warned against rushing through major tax overhaul
The Greens are likely to give their support to changes to negative gearing and the capital gains discount but businesses fear it will drive investors offshore.
Concerns, doubts over Tasmania budget cuts
Rating agency S&P Global says Tasmania's budget repair carries "high execution risk," doubting the government will follow through on $1.47 billion in cuts.
Island state to cut, cut, cut its way back to the black
Tasmania will spend more on servicing debt in 2026/27 than on police, fire and emergency services, showing the scale of the state's borrowing challenge.
‘God help us’: warning as alcohol tax calls spill over
Calls are growing for the federal government to overhaul alcohol taxes to avoid a repeat of the black market takeover of cigarettes.
Auditor casts eye over ‘devious’ 40-year lottery deal
An independent auditor is probing whether a state government ran a competitive process before handing out a 40-year lottery deal after "exclusive" negotiations.
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.
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.
Gas tax hopes flicker as reservation scheme revealed
Big gas companies will need to inject more LNG into the Australian market under a plan aimed at bringing down prices and shoring up supply.
breaking_news
budgets and budgeting
economic policy
economy, business and finance
mining
politics
state budget and tax
Fuel bonus as WA posts eighth straight budget surplus
More than $1 billion in cost-of-living relief will be shared in Western Australia as the state capitalises on an iron ore uplift to bank another budget surplus.
Shock lottery deal ‘handcuffs’ state to gambling sector
A surprise state lottery deal has "handcuffed" future governments to the gambling industry and undone years of reform, a leading advocate says.
banking
central bank
diesel fuel
economy, business and finance
government
interest rate
mortgages
petrol
politics
state budget and tax
Oil crisis not over: warnings of diesel over $4 a litre
With the Strait of Hormuz still shut and stockpiles running down, economists warn fuel prices could spike above levels previously seen during this oil crisis.
‘Downside risks’: warning as state debt edges to $200b
A $200 billion state budget debt bomb remains live and ticking as a long-time Labor government favours cost-of-living measures for struggling families.
More cops, jail guards as territory budget fights crime
The NT budget offers no "lollies and sweets" but it cements the government's tough-on-crime approach, its architects say.
auto trends
inflation and deflation
interest rate
mortgages
national government
politics
road transport
state budget and tax
Treasurer warned on household handouts ahead of budget
Millions of Australians could receive an income offset in the budget, but the Reserve Bank is cautioning against the federal government increasing spending.
Bootlegger boom: big excise fuels black market booze
The government is being urged to cut the alcohol excise before the horse has bolted and another black market like illicit tobacco becomes entrenched.
Aussie manufacturing boost in $1.2b fleet upgrade
Australia is selling one of its most prized military vehicles to the Netherlands as the government also moves to shore up its own defence force.
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.
energy and resource
energy resources
international (foreign) trade
natural gas
oil and gas - downstream activities
oil and gas - upstream activities
politics
state budget and tax
‘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.
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.
‘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.
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.
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.
‘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.
‘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.