Finance
Labor identifies businesses to be exempt from new tax
25 June
A budget backlash has prompted Labor to announce new carve-outs for innovative firms from the capital gains tax, as well as a backdown on a minimum tax on testamentary trusts. WHAT DID LABOR ANNOUNCE IN THE BUDGET? * The existing 50 per cent...[Read More]
What Labor agreed to in order for tax change support
25 June
WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTS PASSED * Laws stemming from the federal budget would limit negative gearing to new builds from July 2027, while scrapping a 50 per cent discount on the capital gains tax and replacing it with a minimum 30 per cent rate tied...[Read More]
Fuel costs to creep up as states back excise return
24 June
Drivers will pay $10 more to fill a 65-litre tank of fuel when tax relief designed to combat surging fuel prices begins to wind back. The move comes after a volley of dire warnings grocery and transport costs would spike and holiday-makers would...[Read More]
The value of financial advice and the importance of managing cash flow
18 June
Building wealth is rarely the result of one big decision. More often, it is the outcome of small, consistent habits repeated over time. At the heart of those habits is one simple principle: spend less than you earn and make sure your money has a...[Read More]
RBA keeps rates on hold but leaves door open to hikes
18 June
Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock has not ruled out hiking interest rates again if inflation keeps rising, after the bank left rates on hold for the first time in 2026. Following three consecutive rate rises, the central bank’s monetary policy...[Read More]
Super funds lagging on direct renewables investment
18 June
Australia’s superannuation industry is underinvested when it comes to the nation’s renewable energy transition, an environmental advocacy group claims. The 30 largest super funds directly contributed $771 million of the $99 billion invested in...[Read More]
Better but ‘not perfect’ tax reform wins expert support
18 June
Parliamentarians are being urged to pass laws limiting tax breaks for property investors and not “let the perfect be the enemy of the good”. Looming tax reforms would help make the tax system more equitable, independent economist Saul Eslake...[Read More]
Fresh warnings migration cuts could make housing worse
18 June
Migration opponents are being warned big cuts to Australia’s intake numbers would cause havoc for the economy and impact housing targets. Immigration and housing numbers were out of balance with each other but dramatic cuts were not the solution,...[Read More]
Get back on the tools and fix housing, government urged
18 June
The Commonwealth must return to its historical role as a home builder rather than a protector of huge profits made by banks and developers. It’s advice that’s been overlooked but a warning that cannot continue to go unheeded, senators have been...[Read More]
Nation-first stamp duty cut gains federal endorsement
18 June
State governments have been encouraged to follow the lead of the ACT and abolish stamp duty, but it’s unlikely to happen without Commonwealth support. ACT Treasurer Chris Steel announced all first home buyers would be exempt from paying stamp duty...[Read More]
Fight and flight: tax inquiry fuming just a smokescreen
18 June
Concerns controversial tax changes are being rushed have been hosed down as experts dismiss claims businesses will flee overseas due to the measures. Under changes proposed by the federal government, the capital gains tax discount of 50 per cent...[Read More]
‘Bad to worse’: productivity sinks to post-pandemic low
18 June
Australians are working longer hours but it’s not showing up on the productivity scoreboard as levels tumble to a post-pandemic low. The Productivity Commission’s quarterly bulletin reinforces the scale of the challenge confronting Treasurer Jim...[Read More]
‘Reform is always hard’: PM coy on tax carve outs
11 June
Startups may be able to claim greater tax concessions than initially announced in the federal budget as the government grapples with blowback to its economic reforms. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is in talks with businesses about allowing startups to keep...[Read More]
Officials bank on economic slump helping tame inflation
11 June
Australia’s economy is going into a slowdown, which will eventually bring inflation under control. That is the view of the Reserve Bank after officials appeared before a senate estimates hearing on Thursday, where they said a decline in momentum...[Read More]
Big bank changes RBA rate call as cost pressures ease
11 June
The Reserve Bank’s next interest rate move is more likely to be down than up, economists at National Australia Bank say. NAB has joined Commonwealth Bank and ANZ in forecasting the cash rate to stay on hold at 4.35 per cent for the rest of 2026,...[Read More]