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AFR Weekend

Yesterday

Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

Income tax props up Chalmers’ budget (again)

A personal income tax surge has underpinned a $400 billion revenue gain since Labor’s budget came to office, paving the way for the treasurer to talk up his economic management.

This Month

Why Labor lost its way and how Albanese can still win

Inflation is political kryptonite for Labor but if the PM campaigns on Medicare, tax reform and real wage rises, it could win, writes trailblazing former union leader Bill Kelty.

Jane Marshall is a Labor turned Liberal voter in th federal seat of Dunkley, south-east of Melbourne.

‘Basket case’: Why Victoria is ground zero for Labor

Labor could be heading for an electoral disaster in Victoria where the party’s brand is “in the toilet” and the economy is in a parlous financial state.

Bruce Mathieson’s six-bedroom, two-storey, $16.8 million Albatross residence at Mermaid Beach has one of the biggest beachfront exposures in the area.

‘It’s scary’: Gold Coast business titans hunker down

Wild winds are battering Bruce Mathieson snr’s beachfront mansion while property developer Soheil Abedian is watching monster waves from his penthouse.

CBA shifted an emergency mobile “bank in a box” from Townsville to Brisbane on the back of a semi-trailer this week.

Banks deploy mobile branches, generators to cyclone zone

Major banks have sent mobile banking units powered by their own diesel generators to Brisbane, after Armaguard halted cash deliveries to ATMs due to high winds.

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A resident of Graceville, a Brisbane suburb prone to flooding, sand bags his house on Friday.

Canberra shields insurance companies from cyclone losses

The Australian Cyclone Reinsurance Pool covers insurers for damage when weather is classified as a cyclone – and for 48 hours from the time it is downgraded.

Changes to building codes urged as extreme weather hits more often

Homes in south-east Queensland have been built to withstand bushfires, floods and severe storms, but are less robust when it comes to cyclones.

Europe has to turn its welfare state into a warfare state.

Europe’s welfare state is over

Europe must never again find itself in a position where the likes of US vice-president JD Vance have life-and-death power over it.

Bank stocks are suddenly under serious pressure.

The ASX sell-off is getting serious. Blame banks and passive investing

The ASX 200 has now fallen even harder than Wall Street. The biggest winners of the past 12 months are dragging investors down.

One in three jobs created in 2024 was in the public sector while more than three-quarters of new roles were in government-funded industries like health and education.

Three in four new jobs in 2024 were underwritten by governments

One in three jobs created in 2024 was in the public sector while more than three-quarters of new roles were in government-funded industries like health and education.

The Trump and Xi shows could not be more stark

For many observers, the contrast between China’s orderly political gathering at the Great Hall of the People this week and the White House chaos was stark.

At Australian designer Christopher Esber’s third Paris runway show, the designer elevated his collection with leather, chiffon and gabardine.

Third time a charm for Australian designer Christopher Esber in Paris

The first Australian to win the ANDAM prize is more than a rising star at Paris Fashion Week – he is now part of the “it” crowd.

Blackouts, flooding begin in cyclone disaster zone

Destruction has already begun from Cyclone Alfred, though the full force is not expected until Saturday.

Ray Itoui and new CEO Aaron Faraguna.

How Ray Itaoui built a $500m retail and property empire

Brett Blundy’s right-hand man has bet big on turning around Best & Less, and the pair once again have lingerie in their sights.

Singapore Airline’s A380 first class suite. The airline is expected to unveil its updated first class next year.

First class is back, baby (but does it make sense for airlines?)

The arrival of non-stop flights to London is a chance for Qantas to expand its premium suites. Its competitors are doing the same. Will it be a winner?

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Why Trump’s agenda does not add up

Trump’s protectionist trade war has shocked the world. His deregulation agenda pleases business and investors. It will struggle to hold together.

Professor Emma Johnston is the first female vice chancellor of the University of Melbourne in its 172 year history.

Emma Johnston takes the reins at Melbourne Uni in a time of crisis

Melbourne University just got its first female vice chancellor, Emma Johnston, and her road ahead will not be plain sailing.

Donald Trump signs an executive order pulling back on tariffs.

Trump’s tariff pullback shows honeymoon may be over

The US president’s backtrack on imposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico shows that political gravity may apply to him after all.

The Mosman home of Michele and Trevor Matthews won the 2015 Master Builders Association award for excellence in housing and pools.

AirTrunk executives splurge on luxury property after $24b mega deal

Top management identities have been buying up Sydney trophy homes after the hugely successful data centre provider’s acquisition by Blackstone last year.

Peter Dutton, right, and Angus Taylor won’t be going to the election with a tax cuts promise.

The tension at the heart of Coalition economic policy exposed

Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor’s U-turn on cracking down on insurers revealed the collision within the opposition between economic rationalism and Peter Dutton’s populism.

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