Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Budget 2019: more news, views and videos

Highlights of sponsor coverage of the 2019/20 Federal Budget.

Shane Oliver of AMP Capital also provided this brief summary of Labor's Budget Reply:

"In terms of the election, Opposition leader Bill Shorten’s Budget reply speech confirmed that a Labor Government will adopt a very different approach to economic policy. The key elements of this include supporting the Government’s immediate 'tax cuts' for middle income earners and increasing them for low income earners, but increasing (not decreasing) tax rates for higher income earners, restricting negative gearing, halving the capital gains tax discount, ending cash refunds for franking credits, a more aggressive climate policy, higher minimum wages with some labour market reregulation and more spending on health and education. As always, much of this will be dependent on Senate passage and that’s not assured in some areas (like negative gearing). But it will likely lead to nervousness in the Australian share market and the changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax will be negative for property prices. If Labor wins, expect a mini-budget in the September quarter.

But its clear that both sides of politics are aiming for budget surpluses and committed to tax relief for low and middle income households to be received after they complete their 2018-19 tax returns. The latter will provide some boost to spending in the September quarter (although the Rudd payments in the GFC indicate that much will be saved) which along with likely RBA rate cuts, continuing strong infrastructure spending, improving business investment and strong export demand should keep the economy growing despite the drag from the housing downturn – just not as strongly as the Government and RBA are forecasting."

The highlights from Bill Shorten included:

  • $2.3 billion to cover specialist appointments and scans for cancer treatment.
  • Matching the Coalition's tax cuts for workers earning between $48,000 and $126,000.
  • No support for the Coalition's plan to flatten the tax system by reducing rates on higher earners.
  • A big commitment to NDIA staffing and TAFE funding.

Additional Budget commentary

AMP Capital

Chief Economist, Shane Oliver, recaps the key measures put forward and considers how they might affect the Australian economy and investment markets. Watch and read here

Oliver's Insights

The 2019-20 Australian Budget - the long awaited surplus and the promise of more tax cuts ahead of the election. View PDF

Colonial First State

Head of Technical Services, Craig Day, has shared a detailed briefing paper covering the key budgetary measures discussed by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg including tax, super, social security, and aged care.

nabtrade

Budget Hub: www.nabtrade.com.au/budget2019

Video: Three key Budget takeaways

Gemma Dale dissects the tax, super and social security proposals from this year’s Budget. Watch now

Budget highlights at a glance

From economic forecasts to infrastructure spending, our infographic provides a snapshot of key Budget announcements. View PDF

Video: What are the stock market implications?

Peter Switzer and Paul Rickard discuss which stocks and sectors could benefit from this year’s Budget. Watch now

Podcast: Budget in-depth

We discuss key Budget proposals at length and what they could mean for you. Listen now

Perpetual

Federal Budget 2019 - Black ink and lower taxes. View here

SuperConcepts

Federal Budget 2019 - SMSF changes

A recap from leading SMSF expert Peter Burgess. View PDF

Video: What it means for superannuation & SMSFs. Watch now

 

  •   3 April 2019
  •      
  •   

 

Leave a Comment:

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Testamentary trusts post-budget: Estate planning, tax reform and the ‘death tax’ debate

Proposed Budget changes to taxation are casting new uncertainty over testamentary trusts, prompting closer scrutiny of estate planning structures and the real implications of reforms still taking shape.

High quality businesses are on sale

Beneath the dominance of the ASX's largest stocks, much of the market has been left behind. High-quality companies are now trading at levels rarely seen, offering opportunities for investors willing to look deeper.

Meg on SMSFs: The CGT changes don’t impact super but what about Div 296 tax decisions?

New CGT rules could tip the scales in the super vs non-super debate. For those facing the Division 296 tax, the case for withdrawing has gotten more complex. A "comparison rate" tool may help assess decisions.

The strange effect of the 30% minimum capital gains tax

The 30% minimum tax on capital gains sits at the heart of the budget's proposed reforms. Yet the mechanics reveal anomalies that introduce unexpected distortions that raise questions about its design.

Ranking three common retirement strategies

The defining challenge of retirement isn't just about building wealth, it's about converting your lifetime savings into sustainable income. A holistic understanding of different strategies can improve long-term outcomes.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 667 with weekend update

The downfall of the giant and three lessons for investors.

  • 18 June 2026

Latest Updates

Planning

Does your will qualify for the discretionary testamentary trust exemption?

Treasury has confirmed the exemption many families were hoping for. But buried in the fine print are two conditions that could leave some wills on the wrong side of the exemption, despite years of careful planning.

Lithium's latest drop and what it means for ASX investors

Lithium's latest sell-off has punished ASX miners as prices remain hostage to shifting expectations. The key challenge is navigating a market prone to extreme volatility despite a strong case for the long-term demand outlook.

Investment strategies

CGT reform and fund turnover: who really feels the impact?

The implications of CGT reform are far and wide. As the 50% discount gives way to inflation indexation, turnover and return profiles may become critical drivers of after-tax performance. Some strategies face a far greater hit.

Superannuation

Super was built for a very different Australia

Our retirement system was built around assumptions that no longer hold. Lower homeownership, longer lifespans and changing expectations are exposing cracks that policymakers and super funds need to address.

Retirement

Retirement in reality - 4 months in

Many people spend years planning financially for retirement but little time preparing for what comes next. Four months in, here are the surprising lessons I've learnt on finding purpose, social connection and healthy habits.

Investment strategies

After the Budget, Australia needs its own definition of quality

As tax reforms reshape investment incentives, investors should rethink what quality investing means in the uniquely concentrated Australian market, where traditional frameworks may not translate as effectively.

Datacenters are the new shale oil

Why are tech giants pouring billions into datacentres when the economics look questionable? The most dangerous words in investing may be: "everyone else is doing it". Today's AI boom has striking parallels with the shale bust.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2026 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.