Lucky Government delivers tax cuts, High Court to decide on Katy Gallagher

Editor's note

According to E.B. White it’s not a smart move to mention luck in the presence of a self-made man. Last night the ABC’s Leigh Sales gamely tried to suggest Scott Morrison has been hit in the arse by a rainbow, and quickly learned luck is also a topic best not mentioned in the presence of a Treasurer.

The truth is that good fortune, in the form of an unexpected revenue surge, has played a big part in a budget that offers tax cuts to low and middle income earners, as well as a forecast return to surplus in 2019/20. But not everyone got a golden ticket, and according to Michelle Grattan the forgotten people are again those who lack electoral clout, such as the unemployed who again missed out on a boost to the paltry Newstart benefit.

While we’re on the topic of luck, Labor Senator Katy Gallagher will be praying for it later this morning when the High Court rules on whether she did enough to renounce her British citizenship to not fall foul of Section 44 of the Constitution. And it’s not just Gallagher whose fingers will be crossed. As Lorraine Finlay explains, the decision could spell doom for at least four other parliamentarians – Susan Lamb, Justine Keay and Josh Wilson from the ALP, and Rebekah Sharkie from the Centre Alliance. “

Misha Ketchell

Editor

Top story

Senator Katy Gallagher knew she was a British citizen at the last election, but maintains she took “all reasonable steps” to renounce it. AAP/Lukas Coch

Explainer: what the High Court decision on Katy Gallagher is about and why it matters

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Today's High Court decision on whether Labor Senator Katy Gallagher is eligible to hold her seat will have significant implications for the whole parliament.

Business + Economy

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Politics + Society

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Federal Budget 2018: a state-by-state spending analysis

Chris Salisbury, The University of Queensland; Anika Gauja, University of Sydney; David Hayward, RMIT University; Ian Cook, Murdoch University; Maria Yanotti, University of Tasmania; Rob Manwaring, Flinders University; Rolf Gerritsen, Charles Darwin University

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While the budget will come in for its share of criticism, looked at overall it is designed not to offend an electorate that has already turned off the government.
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Health + Medicine

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Environment + Energy

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Education
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