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Tax reform

This Month

The Hawke-Keating Labor governments deregulated financial markets, floated the dollar, cut tariffs, and privatised public enterprises such as Qantas.

The age of uncertainty calls for a new reform era

The Summit is an opportunity to drive an important conversation about how we can develop a policy framework that enables Australia to ride out the gathering storms.

February

Jim Chalmers.

There is no respect for taxpayers in the election

The $20 billion-plus spendathon is increasingly being whacked on the national credit card for working-age people and future generations to foot the bill.

Mortgage broker Erin Williams

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.

Donald Trump’s appeasement of Vladimir Putin seemingly doesn’t look to Beijing like a sign that the new American president wants to concentrate on containing the rise of China.

Beijing’s message rings alarm bell about dreamworld election

Australia needs to urgently invest more in naval capability. But this defence imperative clashes with fiscal challenges neither side of federal politics wants to seriously engage with.

Beer sales have slumped. Here’s what Asahi’s CEO is doing about it

Beer consumption is a third lower than it was 20 years ago, prompting Asahi Beverages’ first female CEO to take the company beyond the amber nectar.

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Ken Henry (right) says politicians like Jim Chalmers must avoid a “tragedy” on tax reform.

‘Punishing’ tax system breaks budget law, ‘mugs’ the young: Henry

The former Treasury secretary has blasted Jim Chalmers and past treasurers for breaking the budget laws by failing to manage financial risks from an eroding tax system.

With tobacco excise rates up 282 per cent since 2013, Treasury also admitted the high cost of legally purchased cigarettes was driving a fall in tax revenue.

Chalmers was told his plan would fuel black market ciggies. He did it anyway

Warnings from Treasury that soaring excise rates would force smokers to look for cheaper, illegal cigarettes have been borne out, raising crime and reducing revenue.

Victoria, under Premier Jacinta Allan, is being urged to overhaul its payroll tax settings.

Australia’s looming debt crisis could be a real opportunity

Why not use the looming fiscal crisis of the states to tackle the buck-passing by seriously reforming which tier of government is responsible for spending?

Member for Wentworth and Teal, Allegra Spender has previously called for meaningful tax reform.

Teal election pivot is a sign of taxing times

It says something about the dire state of the economic policy debate when the teal Independents have more sensible things to say about tax than either major party.

‘Marketers operating on polling’: Liberals hit back at teal pitch

Roanne Knox, the Liberal Party’s candidate for Wentworth in Sydney’s east, says the shift in focus by teal MPs to more economic issues is “disingenuous”.

Teal independent Zoe Daniel.

‘It’s not 2022 anymore’: How teal MPs are reshaping their pitch

The shift in language from teal MPs to focus more on hip pocket issues such as tax over the past year tells a story about a changing political landscape.

Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers (pictured) has been trying to drum up support to pass super tax changes.

Albanese’s super tax will hurt young Aussies the most

The proposed superannuation tax hike is set to be one of the largest intergenerational tax changes in recent memory.

While I’m no fan of policy-free elections, I’m even less of a fan of change for the sake of it.

First, do no harm to the tax system at the 2025 election

Large corporates would take a promise to do nothing over ‘somethings’ that have translated into complex and productivity-sapping changes to an already uncompetitive corporate tax system.

January

There has been political refusal to face up the end of Australia’s great prosperity boom.

Falling behind: three reasons why the RBA will sit on its hands

Analysts are getting excited about a rate cut but inflation risks, and lack of any credible economic agenda, will likely leave them disappointed, writes Michael Stutchbury.

Donald Trump.

Trump’s tax plans will send Aussie businesses to America

The promise of a US economic boom driven by lower taxes and deregulation is already starting to turn the heads of Australia’s business titans and entrepreneurs.

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Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

Nine red flags for budget watchers

Labor has a choice: deliver a pre-election budget that builds Australia’s future or keep sailing blindly towards another decade of debts and deficits.

An Australians for Prosperity-funded advertisement in Westfield Bondi Junction.

‘Smears and lies’: Spender blasts claim she wants to raise taxes

The teal MP has called for truth in political advertising laws after a new right-wing campaign group, Australians for Prosperity, paid for ads saying she wants to lift taxes.

From top: Seven Group’s Ryan Stokes, Woodside’s Meg O’Neill and Telstra’s Vicki Brady.

CEOs reveal how to fix the productivity problem

Business reckons it’s ready to invest to help bolster living standards for all Australians. It just needs some policy help.

Clockwise from right: Anthony Miller, Leah Weckert, Kevin Gallagher and Shemara Wikramanayake.

More skilled migration, less red tape to kickstart economy: CEOs

The government needs to stimulate sagging productivity growth if Australia is to prosper, business warns.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

Reform must be top New Year resolution in Canberra

We cannot afford a repeat of the last election when the major parties said don’t worry, we won’t change anything.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/tax-reform-1mpw