Jim Chalmers
So what is Albonomics, and what will it mean for Australia?
When he came to power, the prime minister’s economic priorities were hard to discern. Two years on, his vision is clear.
- by Shane Wright
Latest
Opinion
Federal budget
Chalmers has navigated a steady course. But can he nail a tricky landing?
Like a pilot negotiating fierce crosswinds, Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ dexterity will be judged on whether the economic landing is soft or hard.
- by Peter Hartcher
Analysis
Population
Chalmers wakes the baby debate the country needs
Jim Chalmers is not planning a fertility police squad in next week’s budget, but his comments on the birth rate go to an issue the world needs to debate.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
Federal budget
If Chalmers gets the budget wrong, interest rate rises may kill his government
For Treasurer Jim Chalmers, this budget is existential. Bad decisions could increase unemployment or provoke more interest rate rises. Both would be political nails in the government’s coffin.
- by Shane Wright
Exclusive
Federal budget
Australia, let’s have more babies, says Jim Chalmers
Australians are having fewer children with the fertility rate tumbling. The treasurer says people should think about having more kids.
- by Shane Wright and David Crowe
Households bank on tax cuts and anti-inflation budget plans
Tax cuts, worth on average $1888, and a further round of cost-of-living measures will be at the heart of Jim Chalmers’ third budget.
- by Shane Wright
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
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