Treasurer Jim Chalmers is playing down the prospect of a second consecutive budget surplus as he pitches his economic blueprint. The government expects to book a $4.2 billion underlying cash surplus in this financial year – the first in 15 years. This will be followed by a...
Workers are in line for a bigger-than-expected boost to their pay packets. Fierce competition for labour has spurred faster wage growth that’s tipped to reach four per cent through the year to the June quarter of 2024 – its fastest pace since 2009. Treasury wage forecasts in...
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended the billions in budget spending on vulnerable and low-income Australians as the coalition warns it will feed higher interest rates. The $14.6 billion cost-of-living package confirmed on Tuesday night in the 2023/24 budget won’t fuel inflation, Mr Albanese said. “This is...
One in four new cars bought by Australians could be electric as early as 2025 but governments should set a date for the end of petrol car sales to speed up the transition, energy experts recommend. Australia also needs new policies to roll out vehicle chargers...
There is a push to squeeze more from gas companies into the public purse as profits soar. Proposed changes to the Petroleum Resources Rent Tax (PRRT) announced as part of the federal budget will claw back an extra $2.4 billion over the next four years. Crossbenchers are...
Hundreds of thousands of Australians will be able to upskill for free as the Albanese government looks to drag the country out of a skills shortage. An extra 300,000 TAFE and vocational education training places will become fee-free from the beginning of next year, as part...
Inspired to initiate home updates after watching some of the best home renovation shows on television and streaming sites? We can’t really fault you for getting all worked up, as there’s nothing quite as exciting as embarking on a home renovation project to refresh the look...
While most people write wills, very few families discuss inheritance. Parents avoid discussing inheritance planning with their children due to the subject’s sensitivity. However, avoiding the conversation does more harm than good. For example, poor wealth management by heirs can lead to business collapse. Here are some reasons...
Demand for electric vehicles continues to climb in Australia but overall the auto industry is only marginally ahead of last year’s market performance. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries has released the latest sales data with demand for new cars and trucks in April rising to...
More than a million Australian families will soon get cheaper childcare, with extra money also set aside to hire more early educators. The Albanese government will commit $55.31 billion across the next four years in this month’s budget to make childcare more affordable from July. The signature...