The Latest Breaking News from Jim Chalmers

Afternoon Update: big banks pass rate cut on; robodebt investigation launched; and try a year 10 civics test

RBA cuts cash rate to 4.1%, which treasurer describes as the relief millions of Australians ‘need and deserve’

The Guardian - AU · Feb 18, 2025

View from The Hill: government nabs Coalition policy on foreigners buying houses, Dutton eyes action on insurance companies

With the unembarrassed audacity parties show as an election nears, the government has stolen the opposition’s policy to ban foreign investors buying established homes.

The Conversation · Feb 16, 2025

Jim Chalmers wants to fix Australia’s broken road tax system. Here’s what one solution might look like

Australia’s road tax system has a problem. Revenue from the fuel excise – the primary way we tax motoring – has been declining steadily as a proportion of government revenue over the past two decades.

The Conversation · Feb 11, 2025

Albanese to speak with Trump as US president announces 25% tariff on steel imports

Ministers were seeking return of Turnbull-era exemptions ahead of US president’s announcement of new duties on steel and aluminium

The Guardian - AU · Feb 10, 2025

Treasurer courts business with productivity promises

Helping businesses leverage clean energy and AI will transform Australia to its "fourth economy" and improve productivity growth, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says.

AAP · Feb 6, 2025

View from The Hill: Election battle turns to spending, with BCA calling for cap and Labor hitting Dutton’s planned cuts

As the political debate turns to government spending, the questions loom: is it too high, and will Peter Dutton be able to get away with keeping his proposed cuts mostly under wraps?

The Conversation · Feb 3, 2025

Confusion over Liberal plan to cut public service

The opposition leader has vowed to slash the number of public sector workers but his frontbenchers have been more reserved, instead focusing on efficiency.

AAP · Feb 2, 2025

Inflation data isn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Labor – as Biden and Democrats will attest

While a pre-election rate cut is widely seen as positive for incumbent governments, it doesn’t necessarily represent a path to victory in itself

The Guardian - AU · Jan 29, 2025

View from The Hill: Chalmers claims ‘sustained progress’ against inflation, as government crosses its fingers for rate cut

After Wednesday’s encouraging inflation numbers, the Albanese government – and the financial markets – would be shocked if the Reserve Bank doesn’t cut interest rates in February.

The Conversation · Jan 29, 2025

Belief firms in rate relief as inflation takes breather

Markets and economists widely tip a February interest rate cut after underlying inflation came in below expectations for the December quarter.

AAP · Jan 28, 2025