Neither major party will try to win over voters at the federal election with an offer of substantial tax relief.
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton face a half trillion-dollar tax problem – without a change,Australians will face a generational high tax hit.
Nervous government backbenchers looking for budget handouts have been warned by Treasurer Jim Chalmers there will not be a pre-election cash splash.
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.
Despite Jim Chalmers producing consecutive budget surpluses,there are clear signs the economy’s slowdown is hitting the government’s bottom line.
The federal government will use the figures to argue it is keeping inflation at bay.
Polling reveals many are “quite alarmed” when they find out how little the government really spends helping poorer nations.
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.
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.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says he will use the pre-election budget to continue the inflation fight.
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.