The Australian Government has unveiled its Budget, with the Iran war continuing to loom large. 

Gross debt is expected to hit $1 trillion for the first time this year, and the federal government isn't expected to be back in surplus until 2036. 

The Australian Treasury is forecasting inflation will peak about 5%. 

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says they're dealing with the fifth economic shock in less than 20 years. 

Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Ryan Bridge that all the new measures the Budget introduces are backloaded, so they might be spending a bit of money now, and might not get the savings later. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Australian Government has unveiled its Budget, with the Iran war continuing to loom large.&nbsp;
Gross debt is expected to hit $1 trillion for the first time this year, and the federal government isn't expected to be back in surplus until 2036.&nbsp;
The Australian Treasury is forecasting inflation will peak about 5%.&nbsp;
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says they're dealing with the fifth economic shock in less than 20 years.&nbsp;
Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Ryan Bridge that all the new measures the Budget introduces are backloaded, so they might be spending a bit of money now, and might not get the savings later.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on Australia's new federal budget

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9414a4f5-55ec-41a9-87b0-b44900086e2e/transcript

Federated Farmers says New Zealand's sheep meat exports to the US are a win-win for both countries.  

Trade Minister Todd McClay has revealed he expects the US Government to announce a trade investigation into our lamb imports in the coming weeks, as a means to impose more tariffs. 

New Zealand exported more than $600 million of sheep meat to the US last year. 

Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chair Richard Dawkins told Ryan Bridge our exports compliment the US production season. 

He says it allows the American consumer to get a taste for lamb, which benefits the American producers as well. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Federated Farmers says New Zealand's sheep meat exports to the US are a win-win for both countries. &nbsp;
Trade Minister Todd McClay has revealed he expects the US Government to announce a trade investigation into our lamb imports in the coming weeks, as a means to impose more tariffs.&nbsp;
New Zealand exported more than $600 million of sheep meat to the US last year.&nbsp;
Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chair Richard Dawkins told Ryan Bridge our exports compliment the US production season.&nbsp;
He says it allows the American consumer to get a taste for lamb, which benefits the American producers as well.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Richard Dawkins: Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chair on the expected US investigation into lamb imports

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/51cb9419-ba4b-456e-9560-b44801895b5d/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, Jim Chalmers 4th Australian Federal Budget is out, Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold shares his thoughts. 

According to Cotality Kiwis are holding on to their homes longer than ever, Property Investors Federation Advocacy Manager Matt Ball shares his thoughts. 

Trump tariff woes are back for Kiwi lamb exporters, Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chair Richard Dawkins shares his concerns. 

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on UK Ministers calling for Sir Keir Starmer to stand down and UK Government borrowing costs jumped today amid uncertainty over the future of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2026, Jim Chalmers 4th Australian Federal Budget is out, Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
According to Cotality Kiwis are holding on to their homes longer than ever, Property Investors Federation Advocacy Manager Matt Ball shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Trump tariff woes are back for Kiwi lamb exporters, Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chair Richard Dawkins shares his concerns.&nbsp;
Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on UK Ministers calling for Sir Keir Starmer to stand down and UK Government borrowing costs jumped today amid uncertainty over the future of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 13 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/791cf885-4000-4a7e-b860-b448012ac307/transcript

A changing property market could start shifting landlord trends. 

Fresh March quarter data from property information firm Cotality shows almost nine in ten residential properties are being sold for a profit, but it remains below the peak of more than 99% in late 2021.

Property Investor Federation Manager Matt Ball told Ryan Bridge there's likely to be a rise in corporate style landlords as rules and regulation changes don't favour the mum and dad type investor. 

He says it wont be the causal investor trying to get in the market, it will be ones with purpose who know how to make money out of it.

LISTEN ABOVE

A changing property market could start shifting landlord trends.&nbsp;
Fresh March quarter data from property information firm Cotality shows almost nine in ten residential properties are being sold for a profit, but it remains below the peak of more than 99% in late 2021.
Property Investor Federation Manager Matt Ball told Ryan Bridge there's likely to be a rise in corporate style landlords as rules and regulation changes don't favour the mum and dad type investor.&nbsp;
He says it wont be the causal investor trying to get in the market, it will be ones with purpose who know how to make money out of it.
LISTEN ABOVE

Matt Ball: Property Investor Federation Manager on Cotality housing data

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f1de29a6-2f25-4e64-abcc-b448012bffdc/transcript

Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on Australia's new federal budget

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