In this podcast, @michellegrattan canvasses the budget with Treasurer @JEChalmers, Shadow Treasurer @AngusTaylorMP and The Conversation's politics + society editor @amandadunn10
Managing expectations before a budget is always tricky. Two committees are making this especially so for Treasurer Jim Chalmers ahead of his second budget.
These include the establishment of a separate Monetary Policy Board and Governance Board, aimed at making both decision-making and governance arrangements as effective as possible
The government is hamstrung by its election promise to not raise taxes or bring in new ones. That’s for this term, but its narrow majority is likely to make Labor wary at the next election of bold tax reform promises.
Supporting new fossil fuel projects is completely inconsistent with the broader goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 - and will not improve energy security.
Australia’s business sector has recognised the profits to be made in the hydrogen transition. Acting quickly, and powering the shift with renewable energy, is key.
Government-owned firms are often branded as uncompetitive, stuck in the past and unable to truly innovate. But they’re sometimes better suited than private firms to drive new, clean technologies.
Yallourn power station, Australia’s oldest and dirtiest coal plant, will close four years ahead of schedule. Without a national policy, coal workers are left dangerously exposed.
Australia is on track to meet its 2030 Paris climate targets without resorting to carryover credits, with the aid of the recently-announced technology roadmap, according to projections to be released on Thursday.
Fellow - Melbourne Law School; Senior Researcher - Climate Council; Associate - Australian-German Climate and Energy College, The University of Melbourne