February
Erin Williams works alone, but she’s being stung by payroll tax
The solo broker is among thousands soon to be slugged, as a tax on employment becomes a tax on some small businesses.
States reject ratings warning on debt
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey is returning from a US mission to keep debt costs down, but S&P warns Australian states’ credit ratings are at risk of downgrade.
January
Stalled EV tax threatens budget black hole
Officials designing a replacement tax to accommodate a rise in electric cars say the process has stalled. Dealers are also worried about new emissions rules.
Wage wars: Chaos as salary demands push state budgets to the brink
This week, simmering tensions between essential workers and cash-strapped governments caused mayhem around the country. Can leaders contain the fallout?
Sydney train commuters face more delays amid mounting pay disputes
State government employees across the country have been pushing for significant pay rises to compensate for several years of high inflation.
Unrealistic public sector pay claims risk an inflation budget hangover
The wage demands at the tail end of the inflation-cycle will add to the fiscal pressure on state government’s already deep in debt and deficit.
December 2024
Home sales, tax blunder push out NSW budget gap
Sluggish home sales, more help with energy bills and a $440 million tax miscalculation have increased the budget deficit in Australia’s most populous state.
November 2024
Vic, NSW splurge putting Australia’s credit rating at risk: Fitch
Fitch Ratings has warned that state level deficits have risen sharply and were becoming increasingly important in its assessment of Australia’s fiscal position.
Mortgage brokers back NSW payroll tax inquiry
A NSW parliamentary committee will examine retrospective application of payroll tax laws widened by courts which has angered companies using contractors.
NSW braces for Trump trade turbulence and bond market shocks
The state’s treasurer has warned an erosion in free trade could make Australians poorer, as the incoming administration weighs imposing costly tariffs.
October 2024
From small budget changes, big things grow
Minor technical tweaks by government can drive big changes. Including the economic benefits of First Nations culture into NSW budgeting is a game-changer.
Mortgage brokers go to war with NSW over tax grab
Moves by the state to levy payroll tax on aggregators connecting mortgage brokers with lenders will force some of them to quit the industry.
July 2024
Review finds Transurban should be forced to renegotiate Sydney tolls
The recommendations put the NSW government on a collision course with the ASX-listed motorway giant, which controls 11 of the city’s 13 toll roads.
Transurban hijacks NSW toll review, raises social licence stakes
Transurban changed its tune in June, promising to be part of the solution. It has six months to come up with something better for Sydney’s drivers.
June 2024
Are state governments on the brink of a debt crisis?
Victoria and Queensland have caught the infrastructure fever from NSW and have super-sized it. But financial discipline is in short supply.
NSW’s new $47b fund loads up on equities to chase returns
NSW’s TCorp will combine more than six funds into one big fund and shoot for higher returns. It will lean on equities to do the heavy lifting.
Mookhey’s NSW budget misinformation
The truth is NSW doesn’t have a revenue black hole. It has a problem with limiting the size of government.
Fights over pay rises challenge a bold prediction in NSW budget
A $10.7 billion windfall from soaring property taxes will pay for more public servants but won’t stop NSW posting deficits for nine straight years and risking its AAA credit rating.
NSW budget shows a $6b GST hit, but Mookhey says it’s double
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey insists the state budget has been “ripped off” $12 billion in GST, even though his budget papers show a shortfall of half that amount.
Mookhey may need a wages miracle to land this budget
NSW is sucking extra tax out of the asset-rich, property-owning class that has enjoyed a massive asset price boom, to spend more on government services, housing and public sector employees.