This Month
24 hours in Chadstone: a postcard from Melbourne’s shopping temple
I spent a night in the mega mall in the week before Christmas, and even a bloated Victorian budget couldn’t spoil the mood.
- Gus McCubbing
‘I like fixing things’: New treasurer raises business hope in Victoria
Premier Jacinta Allan has made her first cabinet reshuffle, with business welcoming “proven performer” Jaclyn Symes as the successor to Tim Pallas.
- Gus McCubbing
- Opinion
- Global economy
Inflation risk crashes into political risk
Market tantrums and the fall in the Australian dollar in response to the US Fed show that next year is likely to be even more volatile.
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Pallas’ disastrous fiscal legacy
Regretting not being able to spend even more money is a fittingly risible sign-off from a treasurer who lost control of Victoria’s finances.
- The AFR View
After Pallas blowout, business wants Victoria back on track
Outgoing Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas says his greatest regret is that financial constraints meant his government could not afford to spend even more money.
- Updated
- Gus McCubbing
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Business won’t miss Pallas, but there’s no easy fix for Victoria
With two years before the next state election, it seems likely that Tim Pallas’ exit will mean a shift in messaging rather than a shift in fiscal strategy.
- James Thomson
Taylor accuses Chalmers of stacking RBA board
Angus Taylor says he is concerned Jim Chalmers has made the wrong decision with his appointments; extreme summer heatwave to scorch four states. How the day unfolded.
- Updated
- Lucy Slade
Chalmers overhauls RBA; Tim Pallas quits; 10 investor curveballs
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Tax hit for homeowners, EV drivers as Vic deficit blows out to $3.6b
Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas revealed property owners face a doubled fire services levy while electric vehicle drivers will lose a registration discount.
- Gus McCubbing
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Economic statement won’t make Victoria investable again
The government’s plan is mostly window dressing. It does nothing to fix the state’s fundamental business investment problem which is about the budget, stupid.
- The AFR View
Some help for business, but Labor plan to revive Victoria panned
Premier Jacinta Allan has released her economic statement that includes moves to cut red tape, speed up gas approvals and introduce a business council.
- Gus McCubbing
- Exclusive
- Government debt
Victoria pays consultants $2m for possible asset sale list
The Allan government is paying speciality consultants Ad Astra more than $2 million, including for a scoping study to help turn the state’s dire finances around.
- Patrick Durkin and Anthony Macdonald
BCA scorecard ranks the best and worst states for business
The report names Victoria as the worst state or territory to run a business, with its onerous regulations acting against growth and investment on many measures
- Patrick Durkin and Gus McCubbing
November
Victorian mortgage arrears top other states
Fresh data from ratings agency S&P shows Victoria has the highest rate of home-loan arrears of any Australian states, overtaking Western Australia.
- Gus McCubbing and Patrick Durkin
Inflation holds at 2.1pc; Biden confirms ceasefire; 15 ASX tech stars
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Fact check: Eslake v Pallas on Victoria’s economy
Tim Pallas volunteered to debate the former ANZ chief economist after he published an in-depth audit of Victoria’s finances. Here’s what they’ve said so far.
- Gus McCubbing
- Opinion
- Victorian budget
Tim Pallas would need to win Oz Lotto for 86 years to pay off Vic debt
Victoria’s treasurer has clearly been overwhelmed by premiers Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan, and these Labor years look set to become bywords for state government dysfunction and failure.
- Alan Stockdale
‘Embarrassing’: Victorian households fall behind Tasmania
An extensive audit of Victoria’s dire finances shows declining household income and per capita economic activity and rising debt and interest payments.
- Patrick Durkin
Business warns ‘sick’ Victorian economy may need federal bailout
The state’s auditor-general has warned that government debt is now expected to hit $228 billion by 2028.
- Patrick Durkin and Gus McCubbing
Victoria’s debt interest bill surges by 28pc
The state’s debt has jumped by $7.4 billion since June and $20 billion in the last 12 months, according to Treasury’s latest quarterly financial report.
- Gus McCubbing and Michael Read