Today
Inside four RBA decisions that shook up elections
From controversial rate hikes to politically sensitive cuts, the central bank has often found itself at the heart of the campaign narrative.
This Month
These 12 charts show how the economy has changed under Labor
The federal election will be fought squarely on economic management. See how inflation, interest rates, the budget, and wages changed over the past three years.
Seven in 10 new NDIS participants are children
The number of children on the National Disability Insurance Scheme is now double what was originally forecast, prompting warnings about its unsustainable growth.
‘Bonkers’: Economists slam Dutton’s fuel excise cut
The opposition leader’s promise to halve the fuel excise is a populist sugar hit that will disproportionately favour the wealthy and do little to fix the budget, economists say.
Labor’s spending ‘diet’ not believable, economists warn
Labor’s budget forecasts for spending to decline slightly from a 40-year high are built on shaky savings assumptions economists say, and are unlikely to be achieved.
Inflation slows as housing market cools
Underlying inflation has fallen to its equal lowest level since December 2021 as builders offer promotional incentives and the rental market eases.
Budget is in ‘better nick’ says Chalmers. These 8 charts say otherwise
Behind the promises and projections, the numbers paint a grim picture: rising debt, growing reliance on taxing workers, and a deficit that just won’t quit.
Labor gives bureaucrats 11.2pc pay rise, but that’s not the scary part
Labor has still put aside almost no money for rising public sector wages, even though hiring is booming and public servants will get a big income boost.
Chalmers splashed 20 major spending measures, but just 3 big savings
Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ budget contains expenditure at a 40-year high outside of the pandemic. Economists warn promises of future restraint seem unrealistic.
The crackdown on smokers has left a $9b hole. Here’s how to fix it
Treasury expects to collect just $7.1 billion in tobacco excise next financial year, as high prices force consumers to buy illegal cigarettes.
Labor’s pitch: deficit not as bad as pandemic times
The Albanese government is banking on voters looking past the budget plunging back into deficit for the next 10 years.
Want to skip the budget spin? Just read these two tables
When the budget lands on Tuesday, look at the “table of truth” and the boondoggle barometer to really know what’s going on with the government’s finances.
Chalmers’ budget has more than $3b in ‘zombie’ measures
The Coalition has singled out five policies that have stalled in parliament but have been baked into the Albanese government’s finances.
Chalmers rules out any more income tax cuts
The treasurer has rejected giving working-age people further relief from bracket creep and ruled out broader tax reform in the next term of government.
Bullock tipped to ignore surprise fall in employment
Economists said the surprise news that 53,000 workers lost their jobs in February should be taken “with a grain of salt” and will not bring forward another rate cut.
Off-budget spending nears $100b in Chalmers’ budget
Deloitte estimates off budget spending will be $10 billion more than forecast as Labor piles taxpayer money into loss-making assets like the NBN and the Whyalla steelworks.
Ex-Treasury boss slams Labor and Coalition for decade of stagnation
In a rare interview, Martin Parkinson has hit out at the main parties for their lack of ambition, and says the GST will need to rise to pay for lower income taxes.
Banks brace for AI-powered digital revolution
The sector must confront the twin challenges of dealing with their legacy systems and developing a tech-savvy workforce.
Average Aussie worker to ‘creep’ into 37pc tax bracket by 2031
Michael Brennan says tax brackets should be increased every year to eliminate bracket creep and end the federal government’s growing reliance on taxing workers.
Income taxes to rise to pay for ‘stupid’ policies, warns economist
In an audit of the federal government’s finances, budget watcher Chris Richardson warned projections for spending restraint over the coming years were unrealistic.