Opinion

Chalmers’ spending transition in doubt

The treasurer’s hope for the economy to shift from government spending to business-led growth may be on shaky ground.

John KehoeEconomics editor

Jun 3, 2025 – 6.11pm

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Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ hope for the economy to transition from rampant government spending to business-led growth is on shaky ground.

Economic figures released on Tuesday underline how government spending cannot be relied on to deliver sustainable economic growth to improve people’s living standards.

John Kehoe is economics editor at Parliament House, Canberra. He writes on economics, politics and business. John was Washington correspondent covering Donald Trump’s first election. He joined the Financial Review in 2008 from Treasury.