Budget promises or election teasers? Tax cuts in the spotlight

Published

11 months ago

March 26, 2025

Let’s be positive this morning and go with “well they must be keeping their powder dry” with an election due (more promises).

This budget will not be passed before then and with new positions of parliament being settled we can only speculate what will eventuate out of it or not.

Yet let us get to the highlights:

Big ticket items include a free weekly latte for all but we have to wait a year or two for it ($5 a week tax cut) and then its a two latte’s equivalent the year after that ($10).

We are treating these tax cut announcements a bit like a coffee card as bracket creep (that is inflation making us pay more taxes) we are getting a little bit of that back.

$150 energy rebate extended to end of the year (must admit we love seeing this on energy bills).

Big win

Student debt 20% reduction is huge as is a proposed increased to repayment thresholds is a big win for those carrying debts.

Bad news in the $20,000 small business asset write off is not being extended (a tax & compliance burden) into next tax year (though I am tipping an election announcement here…)

At a macro level we are back to spending more than we are earning (for the foreseeable future) with a lack of a genuine productivity and growth vision.

Its not hard – either increase our productivity, or go with a smaller government / spending otherwise we just keep creeping up the taxes on the people of Australia.

But let’s be positive as we have been right from the outset and wait on the election date announcement, and proposed policies that go beyond this weeks budget announcement.

Remaining hopeful, as ever.

Dr Steven Enticott is a tax accountant at CIA Tax and hosts Money Matters on Ticker

U.S. stocks falling amid AI worries and weak earnings

U.S. stocks decline amid AI concerns, defensive sectors rising; traders eye commodities, jobs data, and currency trends for insights.

Published

21 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

U.S. stocks decline amid AI concerns, defensive sectors rising; traders eye commodities, jobs data, and currency trends for insights.

U.S. stocks are tumbling as investors grow concerned over AI profitability and disappointing earnings. Defensive sectors are attracting attention ahead of the upcoming CPI report, while market participants are carefully watching how tech-heavy AI stocks are influencing broader indices. Steve Gopalan from SkandaFX notes that these factors are shaping market sentiment.

For traders, commodities like gold and oil are also playing a role in sentiment, providing hedges amid market uncertainty. The January jobs report and unemployment data are adding further context, with potential implications for Federal Reserve policy.

Market expectations for rate cuts are shifting as investors weigh economic indicators against global market dynamics. Traders are also eyeing currency movements, including the Australian Dollar and Japanese yen, for signs of broader economic trends.

Money

Wall Street tumbles as tech stocks face AI disruption fears

Wall Street falters as tech stocks dive amid AI anxieties; 2026 seen as critical for proving AI investment returns.

Published

21 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Wall Street falters as tech stocks dive amid AI anxieties; 2026 seen as critical for proving AI investment returns.

Wall Street took a sharp hit as tech stocks plummeted amid growing investor anxiety over artificial intelligence. Markets reacted strongly to uncertainty about how AI could disrupt major sectors, leaving investors on edge. Kyle Rodda from Capital.com explains why investors are nervous about what’s ahead.

Cisco Systems’ quarterly results added to the market jitters, while defensive sectors gained attention as investors sought safer bets. Analysts describe 2026 as a ‘prove it’ year for AI, with companies needing to demonstrate real returns on their ambitious investments.

The January Consumer Price Index report and rising concerns over AI’s impact on transportation companies further weighed on sentiment. Investors are now closely watching major tech firms for signals on how AI spending will shape future market performance.

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#WallStreet #TechStocks #ArtificialIntelligence #StockMarket #Investing #MarketCrash #NASDAQ #FinanceNews

Money

U.S. jobs report, Fed decisions, and Japan’s economic risks explained

January US jobs report sparks uncertainty; analysts debate impact on Federal Reserve policy and market confidence.

Published

2 days ago

February 12, 2026

Harvey Vargas

January US jobs report sparks uncertainty; analysts debate impact on Federal Reserve policy and market confidence.

The January US jobs report shows a mixed picture for the economy, with payroll revisions and steady unemployment leaving analysts questioning the impact on Federal Reserve policy. We break down what the numbers mean for interest rates and market confidence.

US stock markets could face turbulence as investors digest the latest jobs data. David Scutt from StoneX explains how these figures may influence equities and what the outlook is for global markets.

Meanwhile, developments in Japan and a strengthening yen could spark new macroeconomic risks. From carry trades to unexpected shocks, we explore how these factors ripple across the global economy.

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#USJobsReport #FederalReserve #StockMarket #MacroRisks #JapanEconomy #GlobalMarkets #CurrencyTrading #EconomicUpdate