UNSW has academic experts available to comment on 2025/26’s federal government budget announcements.

On 25 March, the Australian government will deliver the 2025-26 federal budget. The following UNSW experts are available for comment on relevant themes. 

Experts who are available for comment on various federal budget topics 
 
Gigi Foster, Professor of Economics, School of Economics, UNSW Business, is available to comment on any aspect of the budget. She can be reached at [email protected].  Prof. Foster says, “I am an economics professor and independent commentator, committed to ensuring that Australian policies and budget allocations should align with the long-term interests of the Australian people.” 

Richard Holden, Professor of Economics, School of Economics, UNSW Business, is available to comment on any aspect of the budget including its economic impact. He can be reached at [email protected]. (Please note: Prof.Holden will be in the budget lockup).   

Peter Swan, Professor of Finance, School of Banking and Finance, UNSW Business, is available for comment. He can be reached at [email protected]. Prof. Swan is available to speak about housing, cost of living, energy and the environment. 

Mark Humphery-Jenner, Associate Professor of Finance, School of Banking and Finance, UNSW Business, is available to comment on any aspect of the budget including Debt and Deficit, Taxes, Housing Affordability, Cost-Of-Living, Childcare Support and Australian Medicare. He can be reached at [email protected]. 

Cost of living 
 
Dr Nalini Prasad, Senior Lecturer at the School of Economics, UNSW Business, is available for comment. She can be reached at [email protected]. Dr Nalini says, “Inflation in Australia has started to slow. If the government gives more money to households there are concerns that inflation could rise again.” 
 
Bruce Bradbury, Associate Professor at the Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) at UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture, is available for comment on poverty and inequality, the measurement of living standards, income support and labour market policies. He can be reached at [email protected].  
 
Dr Gonzalo Castex Hernandez, Senior Lecturer at the School of Economics, UNSW Business, is available for comment. Dr Hernandez says, "The upcoming federal budget is crucial in ensuring fiscal discipline, avoiding expansionary policies will help keep inflation under control and align with long-term economic stability." He can be reached at [email protected]. 

Dr Tim Neal, Senior Scientia Fellow at the School of Economics and Institute for Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Business  is available for comment. He can be reached at [email protected]. He can comment on climate change and its role in the current cost of living crisis. Dr Neal says, “I research the economic impacts of climate change. I will be able to speak to the initiatives in the budget that relate to the environment and how they may interact with cost of living, the economy, and future livelihoods.” 

Housing

Dr Chris Martin, Senior Lecturer at the City Futures Research Centre, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture, is available for comment. He can be reached at [email protected].His research interests are in rental housing and housing affordability.  

Hal Pawson, Professor and Associate Director at the City Futures Research Centre UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture, is available for comment. He can be reached at [email protected]. His main area of research is housing policy governance and strategy. Prof. Pawson says, “Despite Rent Assistance increases in 2023 and 2024 that will have significantly eased financial pressures for inflation-hit tenants, a further hike in maximum receivable amounts is called for to offset the payment’s long-term devaluation compared with actual rents in the market” 

Debt and Deficit 
 
Dale Boccabella, Associate Professor of Tax at the School of Accounting, Auditing & Taxation, UNSW Business, is available for comment. He can be reached at [email protected]. A/Prof. Boccabella’s expertise lies in most areas of the income tax system including, taxation of partnerships, trusts and companies, capital gains tax, fringe benefits tax and fundamental structural aspects of the income tax system. 

Green Energy 

Dr Edward Obbard, Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, UNSW Engineering, is available for comment. He can be reached at [email protected]. A/Prof. Obbard can comment on researching nuclear materials, nuclear engineering education, nuclear safety, and nuclear power/propulsion technology.   

Dr. Wesley Morgan, Research Associate at the UNSW Institute for Climate Risk & Response, is available for comment. He can be reached at [email protected]. His main focus is the intersection of climate change policy and international relations, particularly within the Pacific region. Dr. Morgan says, “Australia’s climate commitments and clean energy investments in the Federal Budget will not only shape domestic policy but will also influence the nation’s diplomatic standing, especially in the Pacific, where climate change is a pressing security issue.” 

Import Tariffs 

Maggie Dong, Professor at the School of Marketing, UNSW Business, is available for comment. Prof. Dong can speak to tax imports, particularly on tariffs/trade agreements and supply chain resilience. “It’s crucial to strategically implement reciprocal tariffs to protect local manufacturers while also exploring alternative trading partnerships,” she says. She can be reached at [email protected]. 

Lisa Toohey, Professor at the School of Private & Commercial Law, UNSW Law & Justice is available for comment. Prof. Toohey teaches and researches in international trade law and the impact of international law on the commercial sphere. She can be reached at [email protected].