Victoria Devine at the 2026 Federal Budget lockup.

My question to Jim Chalmers wasn’t ‘hard hitting’. Here’s why I asked it

When an invitation to return to the budget for a second year came up,I didn’t hesitate. Here’s what it was really like.

  • Victoria Devine

Latest

Chris Bowen and Angus Taylor:The so-called Climate Wars have ignited again.

Coal comfort:Taylor kicks off Climate War 3.0 in shift from nuclear

The Coalition is upping the ante with an aggressive energy policy designed to tackle the government’s climate agenda and the One Nation insurgency.

  • Mike Foley
Amar Singh,founder of the charity Turbans 4 Australia,is among those to criticise the measures announced by Opposition Leader Angus Taylor.

‘It’s really hurting’:Multicultural leaders decry Coalition migration policy

Leaders from the Indian,Chinese and Lebanese diasporas have sounded the alarm over Angus Taylor’s new policy,describing it as a threat to social cohesion.

  • Nick Newling
The housing crisis in Queensland is particularly acute.

What capital gains and negative gearing changes will do to Queensland housing

Experts agree the changes will be felt in Queensland but disagree on whether it’s good or bad.

  • James Hall andWilliam Davis
Don’t lose sleep – there are still plenty of ways to get ahead with your money.

Seven money tricks that just became a whole lot better

Every time the rules change,we find the new angles and smarter structures. And after the budget,a few specific ones come into focus.

  • Bec Wilson
Illustration by Dionne Gain

The era of serious economic reform in Australia has been dead for 25 years. But this week,a pulse was detected

With both government and opposition pitching serious proposals for change,our political system is actually offering hope.

  • Peter Hartcher
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 Budget seesaw.

There will be a silent watcher at the nation’s auctions this weekend

Almost 2000 homes will go under the hammer at the weekend. Anthony Albanese will be there in spirit as his tax changes hit the property market.

  • Shane Wright
Jim Chalmers is expecting to raise more than $4.4 billion a year extra from taxing distributions from discretionary trusts.

Boldness is in the air

The major parties are on notice that voters are fed up with the status quo,and this week’s budget announcements suggest they are getting the message.

  • Jordan Baker
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor wants to index income tax rates,but Labor says the opposition costings are incorrect.

Labor claims Coalition has $12.5b black hole in tax costings

The dispute over income tax figures heightens what has become a major political battleground after Tuesday’s budget.

  • James Massola,Shane Wright andNick Newling
Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John alongside NDIS advocates during a post budget press conference at Parliament House.

Labor’s budget relies on NDIS cuts. Growth in the scheme just blew out,again

Fresh data shows Labor’s efforts to control the NDIS have gone backwards this year,raising the stakes for the government and participants fighting against sweeping cuts.

  • Natassia Chrysanthos