Politics and policy

Pauline Hanson’s address to the National Press Club was red meat for her base. But it also laid a few landmines on the road to 2028.

The startup sector got its capital gains tax win today, but big questions over eligibility, secondaries and holding periods are far from settled.

Pauline Hanson’s National Press Club speech was a tour de force in grievance politics, aimed squarely at a growing base of supporters angry about the world.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers welcomed the RBA’s decision to hold rates, but questions immediately pivoted to the $2.5 billion cost of living relief package.

Fund manager Geoff Wilson came armed with supporters and placards as the capital gains tax fight became the political spectacle Labor probably hoped to avoid.

Labor’s contentious budget will face public scrutiny in the Senate, but the changes we’ll see in the coming days are being shaped behind closed doors.

Labor appears more likely to let its fuel excise cut expire at the end of the month after the US and Iran confirmed a deal to suspend the Middle East war.

The government’s tax reform plan has attracted a sharp response from investors, but it could go some way to alleviating the housing crisis.

A growing group of economists think the next RBA move will be down. But there is significant uncertainty as US President Donald Trump indicates a deal is close with Iran.

Without consistent support, drone manufacturers warn the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator falls short of creating a genuine industrial capability.

The ACT has long been a Labor stronghold. But the independent movement, which has decimated once-safe Liberal seats, views the capital as its next frontier.

Labor’s 1942 centralisation of income tax stripped the states of their fiscal sovereignty. As it courts Australian startups and businesses, New Zealand is exploiting the vacuum.

The prime minister has significantly sharpened his rhetoric against One Nation to convince the Labor support base the maverick party is no friend of battlers.

More KPMG clients are reviewing their arrangements with the firm, as Greens Senator Barbara Pocock called for it to be banned from providing whistleblower hotline services.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers isn’t backing down over his sweeping tax reforms, which are aimed at solving the housing affordability crisis but have upset the business community.

The government aims to have rammed through the key elements of its budget by the end of the month, despite concern in the startup sector.

The chief executive of ANZ says, whatever its merits, the government’s tax plan is having the desired effect on property investment.

Anthony Albanese wants the CGT fight over and done with in less than a fortnight. But unless there’s careful consideration of business, and significant carve outs, the blows will keep coming.

CSIRO, AEC, BoM and the ATO are demanding KPMG confirm their data has not been misused as the fallout from its audit leaks scandal continues.

Australia needs to develop new, high-tech industries. But critics warn the 2026 budget will inhibit growth by punishing risk-takers.