Australia politics live: budget growth ‘bullish' given Trump uncertainty, economist says
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The political purpose of the budget couldn't have been better executed, according to our economics columnist Greg Jericho, who uses seven charts to show how Jim Chalmers has outflanked Angus Taylor with his cunning plan to ensure the 'very vast majority of people are paying less tax'.
Here's one on the tax cuts: Tax cuts outlined in Australian federal budget March 2025 Photograph: Greg Jericho
He adds that the big shock for him was not just the tax cuts 'but that the budget deficit is not all that changed'. He says that although we'll see a lot of commentary about deficits as far as the eye can see, he doesn't think they are that important:
The budget has been in deficit 33 of the past 50 years – or two-thirds of the time since Gough Whitlam lost office. And yet in that time our standard of living has greatly improved and we still exist as a sovereign nation.
Here's Greg's whole piece: Share
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I'm Martin Farrer with the reaction to last night's budget and all the other political news this morning before Krishani Dhanji takes over.
It's not exactly an original strategy, but the treasurer's unveiling of a classic pre-election tax-cutting budget nevertheless caught many by surprise – much to the glee of the government benches and the consternation of the Coalition's ranks. We have reports, analysis and comment on Jim Chalmers's offer and how it might impact Australians and the forthcoming federal election. There's also lots of reaction including from a prominent economist who thinks the budget growth forecasts are too ambitious.
There was also a fair bit of election-related news yesterday with the Coalition attacking on Labor's 'poorly designed' vehicle emission standard and signalling that they might be prepared to make Australia's love of petrol-guzzling cars an election issue. And in a sign that the Coalition is concerned about its messaging going into the campaign, Peter Dutton has told the party room to stop leaking internal policy debates and frustrations to the media, warning it could cost them the election.
It was also a big day for politics out west with the WA Liberals appointing Basil Zempilas as their new leader. The task facing the former footballer and television personality will be to revive the party's fortunes after three successive election defeats to Labor. More coming up. Share
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