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Melissa Bray

Melissa Bray

Financial Review

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How healthy is our democracy? The answer might worry you

How healthy is our democracy? The answer might worry you

As our environment grows more uncertain, pressure on government will grow, and cracks in key parts of our transparency framework will be further...

yesterday 3

Financial Review

Melissa Bray

3 budget traps Jim Chalmers must avoid (and one move he can’t ignore)

The government should not feel pressured to put together an under-considered package of reforms that would likely be abandoned.

23.03.2026 10

Financial Review

Melissa Bray

Women in economics have come a long way in a decade

Despite all the progress, we still have a way to go. And a female treasurer is still to come.

09.03.2026 20

Financial Review

Melissa Bray

Sunken budget honesty rules need a facelift

If we want more honesty in budgeting, effective fiscal guardrails, and improved fiscal policy outcomes, it’s time for an independent review of the...

23.02.2026 10

Financial Review

Melissa Bray

Want lower income taxes? Start with the GST

The last comprehensive review of tax in Australia, the Henry review, was specifically excluded from considering the GST.

10.02.2026 20

Financial Review

Melissa Bray

Dangerous love affair with personal income tax will leave us poorer

Revenue from individuals forms our biggest tax base, but there are risks if we overload it. It’s time for a national conversation about...

27.01.2026 10

Financial Review

Melissa Bray

Is our tax system fit for purpose? The $200b costing the budget

Imagine what the government could do if it chose to cut back on some of the 300 taxation expenditures, or even just stopped adding to the number of...

12.01.2026 10

Financial Review

Melissa Bray

Stop tinkering, start serious tax reform in 2026

If the PM and treasurer want to be remembered for leading Australia’s next reforming government, their New Year’s resolutions should include...

28.12.2025 10

Financial Review

Melissa Bray

5 things to look out for in MYEFO (and where to find them)

Previous treasurers set quantitative fiscal rules for themselves against which the government’s performance could be measured. Not this one.

14.12.2025 10

Financial Review

Melissa Bray