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07 MAY 2026
Delivered in partnership with the Walkley Foundation, From Bottom Line to Headlines brought journalists from across Australia together to build confidence in interrogating budgets, scrutinising government spending and strengthening public accountability on public finances.
The workshop focused on helping journalists go beyond government press releases by unpacking how government spending decisions are made, how to read and interrogate budget papers, and how to challenge political claims using independent evidence and scrutiny.
The one-day intensive program targeted mid-career journalists from non-finance and economics backgrounds, focusing on spreading the understanding of public finances in order to engage more Australians in this important area of public administration.
The workshop featured insights from a range of experienced practitioners and experts, offering journalists direct, behind‑the‑scenes perspectives on how fiscal decisions are made, scrutinised and communicated. Speakers included:
Hon Mike Baird AO, CEO of McKinnon and former NSW Treasurer and Premier
Michael Brennan, CEO of the e61 Institute and former Chair of the Productivity Commission
Sam Reinhardt, Parliamentary Budget Officer
Dr Paul Grimes PSM, Chief Executive Officer of Austrade
Stephen Mullighan, Former South Australian Treasurer
Tom Crowley, Federal Parliament House Bureau at the ABC
Jess Irvine, former senior economics writer at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age and former National Economics Editor at News Corp Australia
The results of a post‑workshop survey of participants show that the one-day event had strong impact.
Participants reported a 50%+ increase in confidence understanding and explaining government budgets and fiscal strategy.
Journalists said they are now far more likely to challenge fiscal related claims, use independent sources such as the Parliamentary Budget Office, and pursue public finance stories outside the budget announcement cycle.
Many highlighted improved ability to spot framing, track spending over time, and translate complex fiscal concepts into clear, accessible language for audiences.
Programs like From Bottom Line to Headlines play a critical role in strengthening journalism’s contribution to democratic accountability by supporting:
Broader and deeper public engagement with budgets and fiscal strategy, moving public participation beyond fiscal and political elites
Improved visibility and scrutiny of portfolio‑level spending, with clearer connections between expenditure, outcomes and long‑term fiscal pressures
Enhanced political accountability for long‑term fiscal decision‑making, underpinned by transparent reporting, clearer communication of trade‑offs, and a more informed public discourse.
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Left to Right: Left to Right: Jason Tabarias, Michael Brennan, Shona Martyn, Stephen Mullighan, Jess Irvine, Dr Paul Grimes and Mike Baird. Photo: Brenton Colley, Lightbulb Studio
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Panel session with Mike Baird and Stephen Mullighan facilitated by Jess Irvine. Photo: Brenton Colley, Lightbulb Studio
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Journalists engaged in discussion during a program workshop session. Photo: Brenton Colley, Lightbulb Studio
MCKINNON FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY
McKinnon Public Sector’s Fiscal Sustainability program exists to make sure Australian governments consider the long-term financial consequences of the decisions they make today. One key aspect of this ambition is to improve the engagement of citizens in the fiscal dimension of government policy and public administration. The quality of public interest journalism is a key enabler of better citizen engagement in these issues.
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