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Stephen Bartos

Stephen Bartos

Brisbane Times

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Australian economy picks up speed, but managing inflation and rates is getting harder

Both private-sector and government spending contributed to the fastest GDP growth since 2022. Yet it’s still well below the growth Australians saw...

04.03.2026 20

The Conversation

Stephen Bartos

Is federal government spending really to blame for higher inflation?

06.02.2026 6

Canberra Times

Stephen Bartos

Is federal government spending really to blame for higher inflation? It’s not clear cut

Government spending – federal, state and local – grew by less than consumer spending and business investment last year.

05.02.2026 10

The Conversation

Stephen Bartos

The budget update shows a slight improvement in the federal deficit, but it’s mostly due to good luck

The drivers of the improvement are largely outside the government’s control. Meanwhile, total debt is projected to exceed $1 trillion for the first...

17.12.2025 10

The Conversation

Stephen Bartos

Inflation jumps in October, adding to pressure on government to make budget savings

Inflation remains stuck above the Reserve Bank’s target band, as hopes for a rate cut fade.

26.11.2025 10

The Conversation

Stephen Bartos

The controversial GST deal with the states is under review. There are better alternatives

While simply scrapping the 2018 deal might not be feasible, moving to an altogether new system could be a way forward.

01.10.2025 10

The Conversation

Stephen Bartos

After three days of talks, a fairer tax system is on the agenda. There's no shortage of ideas

24.08.2025 10

Canberra Times

Stephen Bartos

After three days of talks, a fairer tax system is on the agenda. There’s no shortage of ideas

The summit brought agreement on broad principles for tax reform. The objections will come when it gets down to details.

22.08.2025 10

The Conversation

Stephen Bartos

‘Hard to measure and difficult to shift’: the government’s big productivity challenge

Boosting living standards by fixing the structural problems in the economy has been prioritised by the government. There is no shortage of advice...

12.06.2025 10

The Conversation

Stephen Bartos

Coalition’s costings show some savings, but a larger deficit than Labor

02.05.2025 9

The New Daily

Stephen Bartos

The Coalition’s costings show some savings, but a larger deficit than Labor in the first two years

Most of the proposed savings seem achievable – except for the cuts to the public service.

01.05.2025 7

The Conversation

Stephen Bartos

How much do election promises cost? And why have we had to wait so long to see the costings?

Even when parties release their costings, voters may not get the full picture. Parties may omit particular items that might attract criticism.

28.04.2025 8

The Conversation

Stephen Bartos

Big and small spending included in Labor costings, but off-budget items yet to be revealed

Labor has released details of how much its election spending promises will cost, putting pressure on the Coalition to do the same.

28.04.2025 5

The Conversation

Stephen Bartos

How much do election promises cost? And why haven’t we seen the costings yet?

Even when parties release their costings, voters may not get the full picture. Parties may omit particular items that might attract criticism.

28.04.2025 10

The Conversation

Stephen Bartos

The 2025 budget has few savings and surprises but it also ignores climate change

The Budget Paper 2 book, which contains new measures, is a slim document.

25.03.2025 10

The Conversation

Stephen Bartos

Australia’s economy has turned the corner, and consumer spending was a big help

10.03.2025 10

Pearls and Irritations

Stephen Bartos

Australia’s economy has turned the corner, and consumer spending was a big help

Household and government spending contributed to the strongest growth in two years, data on Wednesday showed.

05.03.2025 10

The Conversation

Stephen Bartos