Economy
Business sector urges Canberra to tackle red-tape cuts
13 May
The federal government must crack on with harmonising regulations so that businesses like retailers, airports and farmers can avoid costly red tape, a major business lobby says. The Alliance of Industry Associations, representing 30 groups including...[Read More]
Targets and tests firm up for migrants under budget
13 May
Skilled migrants already onshore are set to benefit from changes to how Australia processes arrivals from overseas, the federal budget reveals. Of the 185,000 places allocated for permanent migrants, more than 70 per cent of those will be skilled...[Read More]
Super shake-up wins support as budget savings spruiked
13 May
Superannuation performance test changes are being flagged as a way to boost Australia’s lagging productivity rate, as the federal treasurer promises more budget savings. First signalled during Jim Chalmers’ economic reform roundtable in August,...[Read More]
Electric car owners dodge road charge but pay more tax
13 May
Australia’s electric car drivers may escape a road-user charge for another year but will pay more tax under measures revealed in the federal budget. The changes are part of several reforms to support low-emission vehicles in the budget, including...[Read More]
Budget lacks energy for big renewable project reforms
13 May
Australia’s growing throng of solar panels, batteries and electric cars will be managed by a new regulator in a multimillion-dollar budget commitment welcomed by investment and climate groups. The change will come in addition to support for...[Read More]
Canberra embraces AI data crunch for medicines to tax
13 May
Artificial intelligence will be deployed across the federal government for everything from evaluating medicines to identifying tax fraud in a bid to boost the nation’s productivity. A long list of AI trials were named in the federal budget on...[Read More]
‘These geniuses’: PM’s generational housing gamble
13 May
Anthony Albanese is playing “gutsy” politics with sweeping changes to tax concessions for landlords but risks offending established investors who may not have expected the overhaul, an expert in politics says. From July 2027, negative gearing...[Read More]
Green groups warn climate courage missing from budget
13 May
Climate wins on bike lanes and batteries have been overshadowed by a failure to capture fossil fuel revenue and rein in off-road diesel credits, environment groups say. The lead up to Tuesday’s federal budget was dominated by a campaign to hike...[Read More]
Rural leaders see budget shortfalls for health, roads
13 May
Australia’s regions will benefit from funding to bolster fuel supplies and public hospitals, but investment in rural health reform, better connectivity and safer country roads continues to fall short, according to industry groups. The federal...[Read More]
Consumers hang tough despite echoes of COVID headwinds
6 May
Australian consumers are showing resilience in the face of rising interest rates, fuel prices and other costs, according to credit agency data. Despite the headwinds, strong momentum in consumer activity in the first quarter of 2026 had provided a...[Read More]
PM rubbishes budget tax speculation as home prices slow
6 May
Tax changes in the upcoming budget are designed to help young people own a home, the prime minister says, as a downturn in Australia’s largest property markets gathers steam. Asked about reported changes to negative gearing and the capital gains...[Read More]
Oliver’s Insights – Nine key longer term consequences of the US/Israeli war with Iran
15 April
Key points Uncertainty remains high over the US/Iran War with a ceasefire declared but no agreement in talks so far. Tensions continue to remain high and oil flows remain restricted, with Trump announcing his own blockade on the Strait of...[Read More]
China moves to regulate digital humans amid AI boom
8 April
China’s cyberspace regulator has issued draft regulations to oversee the development online of digital humans, requiring clear labelling and banning services that could mislead children or fuel addiction. The Cyberspace Administration of...[Read More]
Major capital home prices slip in two-speed market
1 April
Australia’s two largest property markets could be entering a downturn as rising inflation and interest rates squeeze prospective buyers. But while the Middle East conflict will take some steam out of price growth, Australia’s chronic undersupply...[Read More]
Treasurer softens up voters for ‘hard decisions’ on tax
25 March
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is willing to anger older Australians to make the tax system fairer for younger generations. But he admitted productivity growth would take longer to recover than previously thought during a major pre-budget address to a...[Read More]