FEAR & GREED | Business News Interview: Fear & Greed's guide to the 2025 Budget
Mar 25, 2025
Stephen Koukoulas, Managing Director of Market Economics and a former economic advisor, joins Sean Aylmer to dissect the recent budget, which offers modest tax cuts but lacks substantial reforms. They discuss its implications on healthcare funding and budget deficits, suggesting the latter may be manageable compared to other countries. The conversation shifts to how government budgets have become less impactful and the need for engaging economic communication. As elections approach, they analyze voter reactions to the government's cautious fiscal strategies.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Modest Tax Cuts Introduced
- The government introduced modest tax cuts lowering the lowest tax bracket from 16% to 14%.
- These cuts save taxpayers about $15 to $20 a week but aren't game-changing economically.
Healthcare Cost Relief Measures
- Healthcare changes aim to address cost-of-living pressures by increasing bulk billing and reducing prescription costs.
- These small savings help financially vulnerable individuals access medical care more affordably.
Deficit Forecasts Are Manageable
- The budget forecasts deficits of $42.1 billion next year despite stronger economic growth projections.
- Despite deficits, the numbers are manageable and smaller than in some other major economies like the US.