Today
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Industry policy will win votes but very little else
Why not accept the gift of China’s subsidised exports, and use the money we save to deal with our many more serious challenges?
- 2 mins ago
- Alan Mitchell
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ message to the nation
The $22.7 Future Made in Australia policy will make Australia an indispensable part of the global green energy revolution.
- 2 mins ago
- Jim Chalmers
$24b in front-loaded spending risks fuelling inflation
Spending and taxing decisions in this budget will tip an extra $24 billion into the economy, jarring with the government’s claims that it is putting downward pressure on inflation.
- 2 mins ago
- John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Meme stock stupidity is back at the dumbest possible time
The $6 billion jump in the value of crappy US retailer GameStop is a sign of pure speculative excess.
- James Thomson
Chalmers rejects ‘political trick’ inflation reduction claim
Former RBA board member Warwick McKibbin levelled the claim ahead of Tuesday’s budget, while economists warned bill relief would only stoke consumer demand.
- Ronald Mizen and Michael Read
Yesterday
Budget surplus of $9.3b and then a sea of red ink
Tuesday’s federal budget will forecast a surplus of $9.3 billion for this financial year, after which the bottom line will plunge into successive deficits.
- Phillip Coorey
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Investors shouldn’t believe Chalmers on inflation just yet
For inflation to get back to target by Christmas, more pockets of pain will have to emerge. But the corporate sector is holding up well.
- Updated
- James Thomson
Nvidia rivals gold as shield against inflation, survey shows
The mega cap US tech stocks are not only a bet on innovation but also offer potential protection against inflation, according to some investors.
- Edward Harrison
Rate rise still priced in despite Chalmers’ ‘optimistic’ forecasts
Bond markets are continuing to bet that the RBA will have to lift rates this year, despite new government forecasts predicting inflation will fall faster than the central bank expects.
- Updated
- Alex Gluyas
The little-known budget figure you should care about
The figure, known as the ‘table of truth’, cuts through the spin and shows how the treasurer’s saving and spending decisions affect the bottom line.
- Michael Read
- Exclusive
- Infrastructure
Labor warned of risk from Victoria’s $200b rail loop
Infrastructure Minister Catherine King is fighting to keep secret the details of 30 projects that her hand-picked review said should be scrapped, as well as warnings over Victoria’s controversial Suburban Rail Loop, which will cost more than $200 billion to build and operate.
- Ronald Mizen
This Month
Budget tips fast inflation fall, reviving rate cut hopes
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says measures in Tuesday’s federal budget will help bring inflation down to within the Reserve Bank’s target band by Christmas.
- Phillip Coorey
House builders can’t compete with states’ cash splash
In the race for talent and materials in Australia’s construction game, housing has consistently run in second place to the infrastructure sector.
- Michael Bleby
Markets on edge ahead of budget cash splash
Australian shares are set to edge lower on Monday as they wait to assess the impact of federal budget spending on the central bank’s path to an interest rate cut.
- Cecile Lefort
Budget to provide billions for wages, super blowout
Tuesday’s federal budget will include a massive provision for pay rises in aged care and childcare as well as the recent decision to apply compulsory superannuation to parental leave.
- Phillip Coorey
- Exclusive
- Construction
Gurner-Roberts merger plan sinks
A lack of “chemistry” between the two Rich List business leaders also hindered a merger of their development and construction businesses.
- Michael Bleby and Larry Schlesinger
Labor to spend $11.3b on social housing
The new package to be detailed in the budget aims to enable states and territories to combat homelessness and repair social housing.
- Updated
- Phillip Coorey
Bank of England boss ‘optimistic’ interest rate cuts are coming
The BoE left its benchmark unchanged at 5.25 per cent, but the UK economy is looking ripe for a rate cut.
- Updated
- Hans van Leeuwen
‘Unprecedented’ migration blamed for jump in WA spending
Treasurer says the state government had been forced to spend more on education, housing and healthcare after 95,000 people moved to WA last year.
- Tom Rabe
Michele Bullock’s run of good news may be about to end
RBA governor Michele Bullock has proven a better communicator than her predecessor Philip Lowe. But her real test may still be yet to come.
- Ronald Mizen