The Latest Breaking News from Stephen Bartos

No, federal government does not spend $1tn each year

A social media post makes multiple claims about how much the Australian government spends each year, but several of the figures are wrong.

AAP · May 28

The Coalition has dubbed the trust changes in Labor’s budget a ‘death tax’. Experts say that’s wrong

The opposition has dusted off an infamous scare campaign. So what exactly is changing?

The Guardian - AU · May 21

How do we decide if a tax is good or bad? And which ones are ‘damaging’ Australia’s economy?

Experts say stamp duties and income taxes have a much higher burden than more efficient policies, such as GST

The Guardian - AU · Aug 20, 2025

Brendan O'Connor says defence spending under the Howard and Rudd-Gillard governments was similar, on average. Is that correct?

Shadow Defence Minister Brendan O'Connor says the Howard and Rudd-Gillard governments both spend 1.7 to 1.8 per cent of GDP on defence. RMIT ABC Fact Check investigates.

ABC News · Apr 19, 2022

‘Running out of food’: Farmers warn climate crisis will empty shelves and raise food prices

Empty supermarket shelves will become a common sight unless urgent action is taken to combat climate change, a new report has warned.

The New Daily · Mar 8, 2022