This Month
- Opinion
- Property market
We’re more nuanced on negative gearing than five years ago
Disadvantages for investors – and gains for aspiring owners – would be more modest than many expect, if Australia’s property tax regime changed.
- Robert Harley
September
Tapping super for housing ‘a win for wealthy, older investors’
The Coalition policy would increase the borrowing of younger couples by only $90,000, compared with $400,000 for older investors, new analysis has found.
- Hannah Wootton
August
Saul Eslake’s devastating assessment of the Tassie economy
From AFL stadiums to chocolate fountains and unfunded election promises, spending increases and tax cuts are sending the Apple Isle backwards ever faster.
- Hannah Wootton
July
Saul Eslake’s one-man mission to undo the GST deal – and make WA pay
The Tasmanian economist has drawn the ire of an entire state with his campaign to reverse “the worst public policy decision of the 21st century”.
- Myriam Robin
May
WA GST deal to cost federal taxpayers $53b and rising: budget
The deal will cost $44 billion more than originally promised, but neither side of politics dares change it for fear of losing seats in the west.
- Phillip Coorey
The instigator of WA’s GST deal says it is failing
Colin Barnett says there was no need for the prime minister to lift WA’s minimum GST “floor” from 70¢ to 75¢ in the dollar, as is set to occur from July.
- John Kehoe
April
Labor urged to restrict rather than ban non-compete clauses
Leading economists have urged the Albanese government to significantly restrict the use of non-compete clauses to revive Australia’s ailing productivity growth.
- Euan Black
February
‘Beyond comprehension’: WA’s GST deal to blow out to $50b
Economists Saul Eslake and Chris Richardson say the cost of a GST deal negotiated by the Turnbull government to win votes in WA could blow out to $50 billion.
- Phillip Coorey and Tom McIlroy
April 2023
- Exclusive
- Victorian budget
Andrews in talks for ‘more support’ from PM ahead of budget
The Victorian premier is speaking to Anthony Albanese about the need for a federal bailout in the May budget as the state’s growing debt threatens the national economy.
- Gus McCubbing and Patrick Durkin
January 2022
NSW $1b extra aid ‘won’t break the bank’ after big pandemic spending
Economists say extra $1 billion the NSW government will splash on omicron-impacted businesses is ‘small dollars’ and maintained hope for a forecast surplus.
- Finbar O'Mallon
June 2021
Brisbane 2032 Olympic host costs are already soaring
Olympics veteran John Coates says new reforms will help keep the cost of hosting Brisbane 2032 down, but history is not on his side.
- Michael Bleby
May 2021
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Victoria’s decline shows fiscal buffer needed in a crisis
As Victorians endure their fourth major lockdown, attention is being focused on the pre-pandemic performance of Victoria’s political system.
- The AFR View
September 2020
- Exclusive
- Tax reform
Death taxes, stamp duty cuts head reform blueprint
Inheritance taxes would be introduced for deceased estates worth more than $1 million, property stamp duty abolished and payroll tax simplified under reform options proposed by economist Saul Eslake for the Tasmanian government.
- John Kehoe
October 2019
Rain unlikely 'very soon' in drought areas: Scott Morrison
The federal government expects the drought will reduce GDP by at least 0.25 per cent through reductions in farm output.
- Tom McIlroy