Is this the budget we need? Our experts deliver their verdicts

May 13, 2026 — 11:43am

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Jim Chalmers’ fifth budget broke election promises, but the government says it simply had to rebalance Australia’s wealth.

Changes to tax settings, including negative gearing and the Capital Gains Tax, will make home ownership more achievable to younger generations but less enticing to investors – while millions of workers will receive additional tax offsets.

Our panel of experts – senior economics correspondent Shane Wright, political editor Peter Hartcher, economics editor Ross Gittins, senior writer Jacqueline Maley and chief political commentator James Massola – parsed the budget papers and delivered their verdicts.

Chalmers is not only betting his fifth budget will deliver Millennials and Zoomers a chance at owning a home while delivering a much-needed boost to........

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