Jim Chalmers
Opinion
National security
When politicians fire up on ‘security’, my bulldust detector goes to DEFCON 1
Using “security” as a justification for a policy initiative opens the door to interventions that are, in the words of former Treasury secretary Dr Ken Henry, “frankly, bad”.
- by Ross Gittins
Latest
Analysis
Interest rates
Reserve Bank delivers a hospital pass of problems to Chalmers
Jim Chalmers, a Brisbane Broncos fanatic, will wonder what hit him after the Reserve Bank signalled higher interest rates for longer.
- by Shane Wright
No scorched earth: Chalmers promises budget spending as economy slows
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is poised to deliver a second successive budget surplus, but deficits in coming years to support the economy.
- by Shane Wright
An extra $25 billion not enough to guarantee more budget surpluses
Jim Chalmers will deliver his third budget on May 14. Extra tax, which has bolstered the past two budgets, won’t be enough to offset extra spending.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
Political leadership
Paul Keating’s apprentice is painting a vastly differently portrait of Australia
If Jim Chalmers can deliver on his big picture, Australia will win on a global scale. If not, the title of Christopher Malouf’s Archibald Prize portrait will be vindicated.
- by Peter Hartcher
Analysis
Federal budget
Six simple words that could fire the gun on the next election
The federal budget, if you pay close attention, could reveal Labor’s hand – and its plan to be sensible but boring.
- by James Massola
Opinion
Productivity
Is a Future Made in Australia a good idea or a bad one? Maybe a bit of both
Why would Anthony Albanese and his smart economists, Jim Chalmers and Chris Bowen, want to reverse the bipartisan policy of the past 40 years and take us back to the future?
- by Ross Gittins
Exclusive
Inflation
Businesses struggle as cash-strapped customers dump spending plans
The cost-of-living crisis that is hitting consumers is now being felt by small and medium-sized businesses as shoppers try to make savings.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
Political leadership
The narratives cloaking ‘weak’ Albanese and ‘nasty’ Dutton are setting like cement
Sensible women and men have had more than enough. They also have plenty of alternatives come the next election if they still feel that the current crop of national leaders is failing them.
- by Niki Savva
Analysis
Federal budget
Chalmers must balance big talk on new spending with vow to rein in inflation
The treasurer wants to unleash huge public investment in new industries to cement Labor’s “made in Australia” plan. That sets up the Coalition attack.
- by David Crowe
China investors in the cold as Chalmers makes security a test for budget largesse
Anthony Albanese’s Future Made in Australia will be the centrepiece of the May budget. The treasurer will reveal the five key tests for how it will work.
- by Shane Wright