This Month
Housing tax break ‘would blow Coalition’s budget’
Economists say the Coalition’s tax deductions for mortgage interest could cost the federal budget billions of dollars more than the $1.25 billion it has claimed.
Commonwealth facing calls to fund nurses’ private sector pay rises
The nurses’ union has called on whichever party wins government to set aside billions to fund pay rises of up to 35 per cent for private sector nurses.
Coalition to strip $14.5b from key Labor fund
The National Reconstruction Fund was a centrepiece of Labor’s 2022 election pitch to revitalise local manufacturing, but the Coalition has other plans.
Dutton claims credit for Labor’s two surpluses in robust debate
The opposition leader put in a solid performance in the first election debate, but the audience judged Anthony Albanese as the winner.
Chalmers and Dutton clash over recession claims
Jim Chalmers has accused Peter Dutton of being prepared to trash the economy in a bid to salvage his campaign.
Gas 15pc cheaper under Dutton plan, but Rinehart not happy
The average gas price would be 15 per cent cheaper had the Coalition’s gas reserve plan already been in place, Peter Dutton has claimed
How Labor is running rings around the Coalition with base politics
Peter Dutton needs people around him to start getting their hands dirty as the government makes it all about him.
Libs commit to tax reform, but ‘budget repair comes first’
Peter Dutton says waving through the budget tax cuts would have been the easy thing to do, but they were unaffordable.
Chalmers’ broken budget rule is a slippery slope in a world of debt
Australia has relatively moderate federal debt levels compared with most countries. But the picture is not so benign if ballooning state government debts are added.
Dutton rules out superannuation changes, flags big education overhaul
The opposition leader echoed Tony Abbott’s 2013 pledge of not slashing health or education, but indicated the schools would face a major overhaul.
Non-compete ban may free big earners in tech and finance
Labor’s new rules could extend to white-collar workers who make more than $175,000 when including bonuses.
Influencers in parliament? The outrage is as tired as it is sexist
The response to female influencers in Parliament House was extravagant and patronising. Confirmation that the political class still thinks young women shouldn’t worry their pretty little heads about money.
March
Boost business investment to restore lost prosperity
A 20 per cent investment allowance would be a start. But the focus should be on sharpening the overall international competitiveness of the economy
Price check on budget forecasts
Readers’ letters on the iron ore price in budget forecasts, international exposure for self-managed superannuation funds under Donald Trump, a state-run social media platform, the ACCC’s supermarkets inquiry and the plight of young men.
Ian left to start his own business. Then the legal letter arrived
Most workers forced to sign egregious work contracts are excited about Labor’s ban on anti-competition clauses – but not all.
Dutton promises modelling on power price cuts ‘shortly’
The Coalition’s gas policy dominated his first campaign press conference at the XXXX Brewery in Brisbane, which was crashed by a climate protester.
‘House of cards’: The election is missing the point on the economy
This will be a demoralising campaign for people interested in serious economic policy to revive the real incomes of millions of voters.
Pay, WFH will be centre of unions’ anti-Dutton campaign
ACTU secretary Sally McManus says Peter Dutton made a big mistake calling for an end to work from home for public servants; Scott Morrison has backed the opposition leader. The election will be May 3. How the day unfolded.
These 12 charts show how the economy has changed under Labor
The federal election will be fought squarely on economic management. See how inflation, interest rates, the budget, and wages changed over the past three years.
Want to quit your job? Your contract may be keeping you prisoner
Non-compete clauses – now common in contracts from construction workers to hairdressers – are used not to protect secrets, but to scare people.