This Month
Albanese shouldn’t bother pursuing US tariff exemptions
The prime minister should be wary of cutting short-sighted deals with Donald Trump and instead focus on domestic policies he can control to improve living standards.
Influential or ‘enfeebled’: Has Treasury lost its mojo?
With high government spending, low productivity, and no tax reform in 25 years, an uncomfortable question is being whispered in Canberra.
May
Best defence to US-China trade war is productivity
Treasury boss Steven Kennedy says business should adopt artificial intelligence more quickly and governments should reform road user charges, project approvals and carbon pricing.
April
Treasury to axe 250 jobs under Labor
The federal Treasury will cut 250 jobs over the next two years if Labor is returned, despite the government attacking Peter Dutton for proposed public service cuts.
February
Treasury in firing line if Dutton wins election
The Coalition is plotting to overhaul the federal Treasury if it forms the next government, with the position of department boss Steven Kennedy to be reviewed.
How Chalmers weaponised Treasury on Dutton’s lunch tax break
Forty pages of Treasury emails reveal how Chalmers is prepared to use the public service to mount political attacks, and call into question his judgment.
Richardson slams Treasury misuse over lunch deduction costings
The department secretary has become embroiled in a row after Jim Chalmers asked Treasury to cost the Coalition’s tax break for small business lunches.
November 2024
Trump win means higher interest rates and weaker Australian economy
Donald Trump’s inflationary tariffs could keep interest rates higher for longer and hurt Australia’s trade with China, investors and economists are betting.
September 2024
The 10 most covertly powerful people in Australia in 2024
Those who wield the most clout behind the scenes in the nation’s business and politics.
June 2024
Why our spooks and economists are teaming up to manage China
Treasury Secretary Steven Kennedy and chief spook Andrew Shearer are leading a new economic security regime that will have far-reaching consequences for business and investors.
China’s ‘predatory’ tactics justify critical mineral subsidies: Kennedy
Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy says China’s dominance of critical minerals justifies the government’s taxpayer support for rare earths the world needs.
Treasury is addicted to income tax to fund spending
Virtually everyone is protected by the government from inflation eroding their real incomes, except the humble wage earner.
We got it wrong on record migration: Treasury boss
Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy said the agency’s “frankly poor” forecasting owed to a failure to anticipate a sharp rise in foreign student numbers.
May 2024
Treasury boss warns PM: ‘Enormous benefits’ from Chinese solar panels
Commenting on the government’s Future Made in Australia green industrial subsidies, Steven Kennedy says Australia ‘must not be distracted by ideas, frankly, over many decades, have been shown won’t work’.
February 2024
Government would have known about stage three revamp: Treasury boss
Jim Chalmers would have known his department was going to recommend revamping the stage three tax cuts, Treasury Secretary Steven Kennedy has suggested.
Car-yard clash: Dutton takes aim at ‘ute tax’ on Dunkley trail
Cost-of-living politics overshadows the byelection race, which comes as the Treasury boss admits talk over the stage three tax reversal began in early December.
October 2023
Why retirees have to pay their fair share of tax
‘I worked hard and paid all my taxes’ does not pass the pub test when tax-free retirements now last so long.
Inflation forces workers to take on extra hours
Australians taking on extra hours to cope with inflation and cost of living pressures may explain recent falls in productivity, the Productivity Commission says.
September 2023
The 10 most covertly powerful people in Australia in 2023
Those who wield the most clout behind the scenes in the nation’s business and politics.
Why being a nurse and working for Kevin Rudd changed Steven Kennedy
The Treasury Secretary shares his defining career moments, best advice, love for alternative Australian music from the 1980s in our public servant Q&A.