Winners

Well, everyone who earns more than $18,200. Everyone gets a tax cut – up to $268 in 2026-27 and another one in 2027-28. It’s a smart tax cut – mostly benefitting those earning less than $45,000.

People who go to the doctor/use the PBS – as was previously announced – cheaper PBS medicine, cheaper GP visits (hopefully) and the energy rebate is extended for another 6 months (tune back in 6 months to see if it gets extended again).

Beer drinkers – the Government will pause indexation on draught beer excise and excise equivalent customs duty rates for a two‑year period, from August 2025 – also previously announced.

Gas companies who are projected to pay less PRRT over the next 4 years – $1.95bn than $1.8bn then $1.65bn then $1.45bn. As a result, beer drinkers – even with the pause of excise indexation will still pay $4.8bn more than gas companies do on PRRT over the next 4 years.

Wealthy people who live using the superannuation system to avoid paying tax – no changes to the super tax concessions.

Wealthy people who like using the tax system to speculate in the housing market. No changes to that nor negative gearing.

Fossil fuel companies – the fuel tax credit continues to grow from $10.8bn this year to $13.1bn in 2028-29. And it is forecast to keep rising because the government “expect an increase in the use of fuels that are eligible for the fuel tax credit scheme” – ie the credit scheme encourages the use of fossil fuel.

Losers

Unemployed – no increase in Jobseeker. They will continue to exist on an amount that is around 38% below the poverty line.

The Maugean Skate and the environment. The Treasurer did not mention climate change once in his speech. Nor did he mention the Maugean Skate, whose existence is under critical threat due to laws rammed through the house today that enable the salmon farming to continue in Macquarie Harbour. The government does allocate $2.4m on a breeding program for the Maugean Skate spread over 202-627 and 2027-28. How do they pay for it? By cutting spending in the Department of Environment and Climate Change in 2025-26 by $2.4m. Golf claps all round.

People wanting to ever afford a home. The wait for the removal of the distortions in the housing market continue. Sure there is some money being spent on shared equity but it’s all just fiddling on the roof – a burning roof.