Friday 23rd October 2026
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In this Weekend Edition, Phil speaks with Erin Leigh Brown, co-author of the Grattan Institute's landmark report Budget Reboot: How to Fund Australia's Future. They break down Grattan's controversial proposed tax reform package: broadening and raising the GST from 10% to 15% across all goods (including fresh food, health, and education) to raise $76 billion annually, while directing $33 billion to targeted income tax cuts for low- and middle-income earners and $25 billion to welfare boosts. Brown addresses criticisms from both sides of the political spectrum—responding to free-market arguments around state expenditure controls as well as welfare advocate concerns regarding GST regressivity—and explains how the package aims to put low-income households $150 a week ahead while creating fiscal room to replace inefficient state taxes like stamp duty.
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