Federal budget
No tax relief for you: Deficits, cost put cuts in too-hard basket
Neither major party will try to win over voters at the federal election with an offer of substantial tax relief.
- by Shane Wright
Latest
Exclusive
Income tax
The half trillion-dollar tax headache facing Australia
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton face a half trillion-dollar tax problem – without a change, Australians will face a generational high tax hit.
- by Shane Wright
No budget spendathon as shoppers finally see inflation relief
Nervous government backbenchers looking for budget handouts have been warned by Treasurer Jim Chalmers there will not be a pre-election cash splash.
- by Shane Wright
Exclusive
Tobacco
Budget bottom line goes up in smoke as black market reaps reward
Despite ever-increasing excise, tobacco taxes are falling short of forecasts and leaving a hole in the budget. Experts say a cut in tobacco tax may be needed.
- by Shane Wright
Budget starts to show the wear and tear of a slowing economy
Despite Jim Chalmers producing consecutive budget surpluses, there are clear signs the economy’s slowdown is hitting the government’s bottom line.
- by Shane Wright
Jim Chalmers to deliver first consecutive Labor budget surpluses since Paul Keating
The federal government will use the figures to argue it is keeping inflation at bay.
- by Shane Wright
Exclusive
Foreign aid
The number in the federal budget most Australians get wrong
Polling reveals many are “quite alarmed” when they find out how little the government really spends helping poorer nations.
- by Matt Wade
Opinion
Political leadership
Albo’s lack of courage makes headlines, but doesn’t tell the full story of his government
People often don’t realise how obsessed governments become with how their opponents will react to anything they do or say. Albo seems to have a bad case of this.
- by Ross Gittins
Analysis
Political leadership
Smash or be smashed: Chalmers gambles on a rift with RBA
The treasurer is utterly at odds with those in the Reserve Bank who say the economy is running a bit too hot – and he does not mind if Australians watch the argument live.
- by David Crowe
Exclusive
Australian economy
No election spendathon: Chalmers says he’s got the big calls right
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says he will use the pre-election budget to continue the inflation fight.
- by Shane Wright and David Crowe
Opinion
Property prices
The harshest truth about our housing crisis? There’s no silver bullet
Senator Andrew Bragg says growing university debts are keeping young Australians out of the housing market. But his proposed solution ignores the root of the problem.
- by Shane Wright
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/federal-budget-5x3