{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1730825,
        "msgid": "australia-faces-budget-dilemma-deficit-falls-but-inflation-remains-high-1778478777",
        "date": "2026-05-11 11:52:51",
        "title": "Australia Faces Budget Dilemma, Deficit Falls but Inflation Remains High",
        "author": "Teuku Muhammad Valdy Arief",
        "source": "KOMPAS",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Economy",
        "summary": "Australia is projected to record a smaller budget deficit than previously anticipated, supported by rising global commodity prices boosting government revenues. However, the government continues to grapple with economic slowdown and persistently high inflation, as highlighted ahead of the fifth budget release under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Economists forecast deficits ranging from AUD 23.8 billion to AUD 29 billion for the 2025\/2026 fiscal year, with the budget emphasising fiscal discipline and tax reforms rather than major new spending.",
        "content": "<p>Australia is expected to record a smaller budget deficit compared to\nthe government\u2019s previous projections. This situation is supported by\nthe rise in global commodity prices, which has driven up state revenues.\nNevertheless, the Australian government still faces pressure due to\neconomic slowdown and inflation that remains high. The government is\nscheduled to release the fifth budget of the Anthony Albanese era on\nTuesday this week. Australian Finance Minister Jim Chalmers stated that\nthis year\u2019s budget remains disciplined in spending but still includes\nmajor reform agendas, particularly in the taxation sector. \u201cThe public\nshould not expect large expenditures in the short term in this budget.\nThis is a very responsible budget. There are many spending restraints,\u201d\nChalmers told SBS News on Sunday (10\/5\/2026). The Reserve Bank of\nAustralia (RBA) has raised interest rates three times throughout this\nyear to curb the impact of energy price surges due to the war. The RBA\nalso warned that Australia\u2019s economic growth is expected to remain weak,\nwhile the unemployment rate could potentially increase. In the mid-year\neconomic projections in December 2025, the Australian government\nestimated the budget deficit for the 2025\/2026 fiscal year to reach AUD\n36.8 billion, or approximately Rp 415.4 trillion, with an exchange rate\nof 1 AUD equivalent to Rp 11,290. However, several economists predict\nthat the actual deficit figure will be smaller due to increased state\nrevenues from inflation and high commodity prices. Commonwealth Bank of\nAustralia estimates the deficit at AUD 29 billion, or approximately Rp\n327.4 trillion. UBS estimates the deficit at AUD 25 billion, or\napproximately Rp 282.2 trillion. Meanwhile, Westpac estimates the\ndeficit at AUD 23.8 billion, or approximately Rp 268.7 trillion. \u201cThere\nis an opportunity to provide more tax reforms or to maintain a stronger\noverall structural budget position. Too much new spending would\nundermine this and risk fuelling inflation and interest rates,\u201d said\nYeaman.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/australia-faces-budget-dilemma-deficit-falls-but-inflation-remains-high-1778478777",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}