The Government's Bunny Budget

Can Finance Minister Nicola Willis and the Government keep on pulling rabbits out of the fiscal hat? (Image: Getty)

Mon, 26 May 2025

The Government pulled a rabbit out of the hat in the form of pay equity savings, which effectively meant an austerity budget was averted. A transfer was made from Paul/Penelope to Peter/Pippa in the form of pay equity savings versus Investment Boost.Gross initiatives of $6.7 billion were funded by $5.3b of savings, the largest chunk coming from pay equity savings of $2.8b per annum. The Budget was saved.The Government needs to find more rabbits, though, and especially for the 2026 Budget in an election year. The question is where?Hav...

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