About this episode

Oliver and Eric discuss the implications and challenges of Budget 2026, which relies on favorable conditions for its forecast surplus.

In this episode, Oliver talks with Eric about Budget 2026, which brings the forecast surplus forward a year but rests on a series of lucky breaks, from oil prices falling to fiscal discipline surviving the election and coalition negotiations. They weigh what is driving spending well above 2019 levels, the case for superannuation reform, council incentives to go for growth, the shrinking public service, and why Treasury's tobacco and alcohol excise forecasts keep going wrong.

People in this episode

Host: Oliver

Guest: Eric

Topics covered

• Budget 2026
• fiscal policy
• superannuation reform
• public service
• economic forecasts

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Treasury

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