This Month
Dutton to match Labor’s GP funding in big-spending campaign pledge
The opposition leader promises to match Labor’s $8.5 billion GP funding pledge as he seeks to defend his record on health.
Labor mulls budget update before early election
Bureaucrats are working towards a March 25 deadline for the budget but might truncate the process if there is an early election.
Buffett to increase his bet on Japan’s trading houses
The billionaire will be allowed to increase his stake in the trading houses above 10 per cent; Elon Musk threatens all federal workers with the sack; Jim Chalmers flies to Washington. See how the day unfolded here.
Red tape slashed for home loans, markets and insurance under Coalition
Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor unveils the Coalition’s new election policies to wind back rules in the finance sector.
As Rome burns, Australia fiddles with small-minded debate
Australia needs a revolution on tax, deregulation, energy supply and competition, not fiddling around the edges with small-minded economic debate.
Inside the money machine: what happens at a political fundraiser
Politicians may be reluctant to draw back the curtain. But with so many attendees, it’s hard to keep this business secret.
Treasury costing furore is as old as 1993 Fightback!
Jim Chalmers’ use of his Treasury to cost the Coalition’s tax breaks for business lunches is unfortunate – but the status quo, former Treasury bosses say.
Coalition MP’s food donation tax break could cost hundreds of millions
Treasury says the proposed deduction for charitable food donations could lead to companies pocketing millions for donations already being made.
Revolt over Labor bid to stem ATO tax break for small businesses
A fresh row has erupted over small business following attempts by the government to ram through new legislation that affects firms with tax debts.
Trade war paused; The price of Trump’s ‘deals’; Why you don’t need that much super
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
January
Tobacco taxes drop to nine-year low as black-market ciggies boom
A 282 per cent increase in the tobacco excise rate has turned smokers to the black market and put a big dent in the federal budget.
Falling inflation boosts Labor’s election push
The Albanese government will be even more relieved than the Reserve Bank that the latest consumer price index shows a further drop in inflation.
Banks stand firm on ESG after Dutton ‘woke’ jibe
Banks and their shareholders reject the claim “wokeness” is stopping them lending to fossil fuel and forestry businesses, arguing that commercial reality drives loan decisions.
Election spending already tops $10b
Economists warn that the commitments could give the Reserve Bank a reason not to cut interest rates in the near term.
Opposition savings from housing, green energy funds in doubt
Senator Jane Hume says the Coalition will interrogate Labor’s billions of dollars tied up in funds for housing, clean energy and manufacturing, but admits they may be difficult to unwind.
Coalition government will go back to basics on fiscal responsibility
Economic theory and empirical evidence demonstrates that a responsible approach to managing the nation’s budget is a prerequisite for prosperity.
$12b blowout in public servant wages since election
Labor is on track to spend at least $12 billion more on public servant wages than it forecast in its first budget, but says it has clawed back $4 billion by cutting down on outsourcing.
Inflation figures show ‘substantial and sustained progress’: Chalmers
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says headline inflation has now been in the RBA’s target band for four months; Victorian Liberal leader’s plan to scrap SEC would increase power prices, minister says. How the day unfolded.
Labor’s social spending budget blows out by $26b
The Albanese government’s spending on aged care, disability, medicines and childcare – where it will campaign – is $26 billion higher than first budgeted.
Emissions reporting boosts financial sustainability
Readers’ letters on emissions reporting, renewable energy, green-left politics, productivity, government advertising and an idea for state governments.