September
- Exclusive
- Interest rates
Surprise government spending blowout hits $70b
Treasury may have underestimated a state and federal government budget spending splurge by $70 billion, which a string of economists warn will add to inflation.
- Updated
- Michael Read
June
- Opinion
- Bonds
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.
- Tim Hext
Experts question Qld toll road accounting ‘magic pudding’
Queensland’s plan to resume operating the state’s toll roads from 2051 would add $3.6 billion in value to the state’s balance sheet, figures show.
- Tess Bennett
Queensland cash splash could send inflation below 3pc
But economists warn billions in household subsidies will not make a rate cut more likely and could make the inflation problem worse.
- Michael Read
Qld raises left-field solution to unlock billions for new tunnel
The government is working on a plan to resume operating the state’s toll roads to help finance a new multibillion-dollar tunnel construction.
- Updated
- Tess Bennett
- Updated
- Steven Miles
Labor’s $11b election pitch a ‘deliberate choice’ for debt and deficit
Queensland Labor is mulling borrowing billions for a pre-election $11.2 billion giveaway budget that economists warn risks stoking inflation.
- Updated
- James Hall
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Queensland budget a populist clown show
The budget further trashes the Sunshine State’s traditional reputation as a low debt, lower taxing, business-friendly jurisdiction as Labor tries to spend its way back into power.
- The AFR View
- Opinion
- Opinion
A blatant and cynical vote-buying budget
Critiquing this budget from a perspective of expenditure restraint, balanced budgets and low debt is a turkey shoot.
- Robert Carling
Winners and losers in the Queensland budget
An $11.2 billion spending spree on cost-of-living relief has showered Queenslanders with discounts for public transport and electricity bills.
- Tess Bennett and James Hall
- Exclusive
- Cameron Dick
Qld to slug miner with $20m tax rise
Mining giant Glencore will be the sole company affected by a Queensland payroll tax tweak that will cost the business $20 million and threaten to deepen tensions between the Labor government and resources sector.
- James Hall
Queensland Labor’s infrastructure bill soars to $107b
Treasurer Cameron Dick has flagged cost blowouts amid increased infrastructure investments ahead of next week’s state budget.
- James Hall
Labor to splash $26b on green energy projects in Qld
Queensland will increase its spend on green energy transition by $7 billion to $26 billion over the coming four years as new poll compounds fears of election wipeout.
- James Hall
May
Miles’ 50¢ fares unlikely to save Queensland Labor
Queensland Labor’s $150 million pre-election cash splash follows a $1000 power bill rebate, but experts say most voters have already made up their minds.
- Gus McCubbing and Ronald Mizen
Queensland heads for deficit as Labor readies election cash splash
A pre-election spending spree will result in Queensland’s forecast surplus swinging into a deficit of about $3 billion, Treasurer Cameron Dick says.
- James Hall
December 2023
The rise and fade of ‘Labor hero’ Annastacia Palaszczuk
Annastacia Palaszczuk first defined herself in opposition to Campbell Newman, but will be remembered for her strong will during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Gus McCubbing
- Updated
- Government
Palaszczuk goes before she was pushed as polls slump
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has resigned after nearly nine years as leader, amid fears her government was headed for a defeat at next October’s election.
- Updated
- Ronald Mizen
August 2023
- Opinion
- Government
Queensland Labor’s problems don’t start and end with Palaszczuk
The premier’s departure could very well leave an untalented and incompetent team without even the veneer of non-threatening warmth that has carried the government though many a scandal.
- Amanda Stoker
July 2023
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Is time up for Palaszczuk?
The LNP is now benefiting from hammering Ms Palaszczuk over Labor’s handling of cost-of-living, housing, crime, and health issues.
- The AFR View
June 2023
- Opinion
- The AFR View
State debt addictions harder to add up
The least creditworthy jurisdictions face paying a higher risk premium on their borrowings unless they get their houses in order by bringing down debt.
- The AFR View
Miners predict Qld coal royalties bonanza will continue
Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said Treasury’s prediction of a significant drop-off in coal royalties next financial year was unlikely.
- Updated
- Mark Ludlow