Australia's 2026 federal budget is set to have a profound impact on the country's socio-economic landscape, with significant benefits for younger and less well-off households. According to analysis by Associate Professor Ben Phillips of the ANU's Centre for Social Policy Research, the budget's distributional analysis reveals a clear divide, with the younger and poorer segments of society poised to gain the most. Meanwhile, middle-class Gen X households are increasingly turning to right-wing parties in response to perceived neglect by the Labor government. As the budget's effects are set to be felt across the country, experts are warning of a widening gap between the haves and have-nots, with far-reaching consequences for Australia's social cohesion and economic stability.
Jim Chalmers’ budget tips the scales in favour of younger and less well-off households – but it’s middle-class gen X that are turning to the rightwing partyExplore all of our 2026 Australia federal budget coverageLabor’s fifth budget will do what it says on the tin: it will benefit the young and the poor at the expense of the older and the rich.This is the most obvious takeaway from distributional analysis conducted by Ben Phillips, an associate professor at the ANU’s Centre for Social Policy Research. Continue reading...
