Tax and the economy a 2025 election battleground issue
The release on Wednesday of the mid-year economic forecast paves the way for a stark debate between the major parties on tax policy ahead of the impending federal election.
Federal Budget
Taylor blasts ‘spend and spin’ Chalmers as budget blowouts revealed
Angus Taylor says the mid-year economic update shows the Albanese government is ‘the biggest spending outside of wartime or crisis’ and offers no pathway to restoring standards of living.
‘Unfinished business’: Chalmers to press on with super tax hike
Superannuation tax concessions are expected to cost the federal budget more than $55bn this financial year, as Jim Chalmers vows to push ahead and legislate Labor’s tax hike on high-balance nest eggs.
Out of luck on the budget, Chalmers needs a plan B
Labor’s pre-election spending spree has eaten up the surplus and kept borrowing rates higher for longer. It’s time to tighten up.
Headache for Chalmers as mining profits take $4.6bn hit
Profits in the resources industry have slipped 8.8 per cent, driving an unexpected drop in economy-wide earnings and threatening to push the federal budget deeper into deficit.
Budget reforms essential as the economic luck runs out
The election campaign is a chance to kickstart policies to encourage growth.
Australia’s grim economic outlook revealed
Australia’s grim economic outlook has been revealed, with the federal budget tipped to have its sharpest retraction since covid.
‘Get back to office or back to job hunt’: Musk edict for bureaucrats
Billionaire unelected Trump adviser promises ‘mass headcount reductions’ for US public servants as unions plan resistance amid deepening fears over government restructuring.
$1bn shaved from NDIS: Shorten puts scheme back on track
Reforms to the NDIS will save more than $1bn from the growing cost of the ballooning scheme, according to new official projections that promise to deliver critical structural savings to the federal budget.
Budget squeeze ends surplus run
The federal budget was running a $7bn deficit across the first two months of 2024-25, as spending and tax pressures ramp p for Anthony Albanese ahead of next year’s election.
AFP to probe at least six from pro-Hezbollah rally
The Australian Federal Police will consider prosecutions of at least six people who attended a pro-Hezbollah rally in Melbourne on Sunday for allegedly displaying prohibited terrorist symbols and participating in hateful chants.
Chalmers arrives in Beijing seeking clarity on China economic “weakness”
The Treasurer has landed in Beijing where he will seek clarity on what the troubles in China’s economy mean for Australia and his next federal budget.
$80 billion win for Aussies
Ahead of the final budget outcome later this month, the Treasurer confirmed Australia has improved its debt position, saving taxpayers on interest fees.
Dutton: Labor ‘damaging relationship’ with US, Israel
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has claimed the decision to abstain from a UN motion calling for a withdrawal from Gaza and the West Bank shows the government is turning its back on key allies.
Self-funded retirees, part-pensioners to pay more under Labor changes
Labor’s overhaul of Australia’s aged care system will force self-funded retirees and part-time pensioners to pay more for residential services.
Government stress showing as economy starts to falter
Criticism of the RBA only tells half the story as relations with business slide.
NDIS reform pushed ahead by states deal
Bill Shorten has handed over significant powers to states and territories in the design of NDIS reforms hoped to help save the federal budget $14bn across the next four years, as part of a breakthrough agreement.
Terri Butler appointed deputy president of Fair Work Commission
Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt said the appointment showed the Albanese government was delivering on its promise to restore balance to the commission.
Albanese’s alternative inflation facts emerge in row with RBA
Anthony Albanese has denied the central bank had blamed state and federal budget spending on higher inflation forecasts, with economists declaring the Prime Minister was wrong.
Chalmers hints at ‘mid-teens’ surplus
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says he is expecting Australia’s surplus to grow beyond the $9.3bn forecast in the budget, with the exact figures set to drop in September.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/topics/federal-budget