The Bottom Line
Updated Saturday 31 October 2026
The Treasurer introduced the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 4) Bill 2026, which creates a capital gains tax concession for early investors in innovative start-ups, broadens venture capital incentives from 1 July 2027, and tightens and expands the R&D Tax Incentive from 1 July 2028. The Treasurer said the Bill forms part of a broader package the government claims delivers $3.8 billion in tax relief for businesses and start-ups.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers told the ABC that the Iran war was turbo-charging inflation, commenting on the September quarter CPI result. The RBA cash rate is 4.60 per cent, reached after four rises this year from 3.60 per cent at the start of 2026, and four rises in a row since the last cut in August 2025. CBA told clients it expects the RBA to lift the cash rate again at its November meeting, a move the bank said was heavily priced by markets, according to the ABC.
MacroBusiness reports that Labor's domestic gas reservation scheme, described as likely to become law, would require LNG producers to set aside a share of annual exports for Australian consumers, with the stated aim of easing power bills. MacroBusiness reports that Sydney dwelling values have fallen sharply from their 6 March 2026 peak, with SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher describing the market as extraordinarily weak.
ABS figures show the unemployment rate reached 4.72 per cent in September 2026, up from 4.08 per cent in January, with the rate trending higher across the second half of the year as rate rises have accumulated.
Every figure is checked against official data or attributed to the body that announced it. Past editions