Analysis
Political leadership
Why Labor’s budget is not enough to reverse its two-year slump
It is not unusual for governments to suffer a slump after two years in power – it happened to John Howard in 1998 and he recovered. But there are danger signs for Labor.
- by David Crowe
Latest
Exclusive
Political leadership
Voters favour deeper cuts to migration as Labor misses budget boost
As a bruising political fight over housing and congestion continues, polling shows half of all voters want more done to curb immigration.
- by David Crowe
Bet your house on it: The issues Dutton wants as election battlegrounds
The opposition leader seems utterly sure of his power to drive Albanese out of office. Too sure, perhaps.
- by David Crowe
Warning Dutton’s housing and migration plans little more than ‘rounding error’
Economists and property industry figures say the opposition leader’s pledge to cut migration and ban foreign home buyers could make the nation poorer.
- by Angus Thompson and David Crowe
Dutton pledges to slash permanent migration to 140,000 a year
In his budget reply speech, the opposition leader intensified a political fight over housing and congestion by vowing to drive permanent migration below Labor’s target.
- by David Crowe
Opinion
Federal budget
Peter Dutton is more than happy to help billionaires, except one
The Coalition, when in power, spent taxpayers’ money propping up billionaires’ operations, but now it’s Labor’s idea … and nuclear power critic Andrew Forrest stands to benefit.
- by David Crowe
Stoush over $13.7b tax credits threatens to stall flagship budget policy
Labor will be forced into talks with the Greens over new curbs on coal and gas in a bid to salvage the $13.7 billion tax credits in its “made in Australia” budget plan, after the Coalition rubbished the new measure.
- by David Crowe
Analysis
Federal budget
Is this the budget we needed? Our experts deliver their verdicts
Jim Chalmers’ third budget sought to strike a balance between inflation and cost of living. Here’s what our experts thought.
- by David Crowe, Shane Wright, Jacqueline Maley, Peter Hartcher and Ross Gittins
Analysis
Federal budget
Labor’s promised subsidies for everyone. They’re not guaranteed votes in return
The political message in this budget is breathtakingly simple. The broader policy plan is fiendishly complex.
- by David Crowe
High voltage: Jim’s $300 power play to fight inflation
Economists have warned that Labor’s budget spending could put pressure on the Reserve Bank to keep interest rates higher for longer.
- by David Crowe
Cut reliance on Chinese and Indian students, government tells universities
University chiefs are being told to channel international students into courses that fill Australian skills shortages, deepening a dispute over federal plans to cap their annual intake.
- by David Crowe and Daniella White