Money

2025 Budget: Tax cuts, benefits, and key impacts

“2025 Federal Budget: Winners Include Taxpayers, Students; Losers Are Small Businesses and Welfare Recipients Amid Election Focus.”

Published

11 months ago

March 25, 2025

Ahron Young

2025 Federal Budget: Winners include taxpayers, students; Losers are small businesses and welfare recipients amid election focus.

In Short

The 2025 Federal Budget includes tax cuts for individuals and support for low-income earners, a $450 energy rebate, and reductions in student loans for graduates.

However, small businesses may struggle with removed tax benefits, and welfare rates remain the same, highlighting the government’s mixed priorities before the election.

The Federal Budget for 2025 reveals significant changes for the economy, emphasising pre-election commitments from the Labor government.

Taxpayers will receive modest tax cuts, resulting in approximately $5.15 extra weekly for those earning around $79,000. Low-income earners will also benefit from decreased tax rates over the next few years.

An extended $300 energy rebate, now totaling $450, aims to assist households through 2025.

University graduates will see 20% of their student loans erased, alongside raised income thresholds for compulsory repayments. The free TAFE program will continue, offering 100,000 places annually from 2027.

Construction workers

Apprentices in construction and related fields will receive $10,000 upon completion of their training. The budget includes measures to boost bulk-billing GP appointments, aiming to offer 90% of visits at no cost.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will introduce caps on medicine costs and include new medications, further aiding cost relief for Australians.

Funding will also support healthcare staff and build additional Medicare urgent clinics.

Families will benefit from subsidised childcare, with funds allocated to expand services.

Asset write-off

However, small businesses may feel the impact of the eliminated instant asset write-off.

Welfare rates remain unchanged, disappointing advocates for higher support.

Additionally, Labor plans to phase out live sheep exports by 2028, aiming to ensure a smooth transition for the industry.

Overall, the budget presents an array of winners and losers, reflecting the government’s priorities ahead of the upcoming election.

Money

Alphabet launches $20B bond to fund AI expansion

Alphabet’s $20B bond offering highlights investor confidence in AI growth, enabling funding without shareholder dilution.

Published

20 hours ago

February 11, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Alphabet’s $20B bond offering highlights investor confidence in AI growth, enabling funding without shareholder dilution.

Alphabet has launched a record $20 billion bond offering to finance its massive AI infrastructure build-out, signalling strong investor confidence in the company’s growth strategy. The oversubscribed sale shows that investors are betting on Alphabet’s AI potential and long-term returns.

By using debt instead of equity, Alphabet can raise funds without diluting shareholders. The money will support AI research, advanced computing, and other strategic projects, cementing the company’s leadership in the sector.

Brad Gastwirth from Circular Technologies explains how corporate debt is reshaping tech financing and how investors perceive AI-linked bonds. This record issuance could set a trend for other tech companies looking to fund innovation.

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Money

AI tax tool sparks market turmoil for financial firms

Major financial firms’ stocks fell sharply after an AI tax tool launch, raising investor fears of disruption in advisory services.

Published

21 hours ago

February 11, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Major financial firms’ stocks fell sharply after an AI tax tool launch, raising investor fears of disruption in advisory services.

Shares of major financial services firms tumbled after the launch of a new AI-powered tax planning tool. LPL Financial dropped nearly 11%, while Charles Schwab and Raymond James Financial fell more than 9%, signalling investor concern over AI disrupting traditional advisory services.

Morgan Stanley also saw a 4% decline as fears grow that AI could replace some of the most profitable offerings of established firms. Earlier this year, the introduction of other AI models already caused turbulence in software stocks, suggesting this could be a broader trend affecting multiple sectors.

The iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers and Securities ETF was down 4% on Tuesday, reflecting the market-wide uncertainty surrounding AI adoption in finance. Investors are closely watching whether AI will complement or cannibalise the industry’s core services.

#AIImpact #WallStreet #FinancialMarkets #InvestingNews #MorganStanley #CharlesSchwab #RaymondJames #FinTech

Money

RBA rate shock: ASX200, Gold and Crypto market

RBA’s interest rate shift impacts ASX200, AUD; gold/silver rebound analyzed amidst upcoming economic data and crypto market navigation.

Published

2 days ago

February 10, 2026

Harvey Vargas

RBA’s interest rate shift impacts ASX200, AUD; gold/silver rebound analyzed amidst upcoming economic data and crypto market navigation.

The RBA’s latest interest rate decision has sent ripples through the ASX200 and AUD, leaving investors weighing what comes next. We break down how these changes could affect global equities ahead of this week’s crucial non-farm payroll and consumer price index releases.

Zoran Kresovic from Blueberry Markets shares his analysis on the rebound in gold and silver after recent market turbulence, and what factors could drive further gains or sell-offs in the commodities market.

We also dive into the current state of cryptocurrencies, exploring how investors can navigate volatility and what to watch as economic data continues to shape market sentiment.

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#RBA #ASX200 #GoldMarket #SilverRebound #CryptoUpdate #InvestingTips #MarketVolatility #EconomicOutlook