Media releases

2013

Debt limit abolished

The Federal Parliament has taken the important step of abolishing the nation's debt limit, which will provide certainty to markets about the Government’s capacity to finance the budget, and increas

Statement on tax legislation

The Coalition will move this week to stop $900 cheques from being sent out to people four years after the Global Financial Crisis.

Statement on Commonwealth debt limit

The Government has today agreed to the Australian Greens’ proposal to repeal the statutory debt limit and enhance transparency around government debt reporting.

National Accounts - September quarter 2013

The National Accounts released today show the performance of the economy up to the end of the September quarter. This is the economy the Coalition has inherited.

Appointment of Associate Commissioner to the Productivity Commission

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Paul Lindwall as a full-time Associate Commissioner to assist with the Productivity Commission inquiry into infrastructure costs and financing in Australia.

Foreign investment application: Archer Daniels Midland Company's proposed acquisition of GrainCorp Limited

After long and careful deliberations, I have today made an order under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (the Act) prohibiting the proposed acquisition by Archer Daniels Midl

Statement regarding meeting with State Treasurers

Today, I held my first meeting with the State and Territory Treasurers, where we discussed a new infrastructure partnership and the GST threshold for online purchases.

2013 IMF Article IV Consultations with Australia

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has today re-affirmed Australia’s strong economic prospects.

Financial System Inquiry

The Government is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr David Murray AO to head an inquiry into Australia’s financial system.

Reckless action on the debt limit

The Labor Party and the Greens are behaving recklessly and dangerously by refusing to support a $500 billion debt limit, which Treasury Secretary Dr Martin Parkinson today described as “prudent”.

OECD Economic Outlook - November 2013

The OECD’s latest Economic Outlook forecasts Australia will record a solid economic performance over the next two years.

Labor’s hidden job cuts and unfunded redundancies

More evidence of Labor’s budget deception has emerged, with advice showing the former Government concealed almost 14,500 public service job cuts initiated before the last election.

Government announces Productivity Commission inquiry to focus on more flexible, affordable and accessible child care

The Australian Government today announced the establishment of a Productivity Commission Inquiry into Child Care and Early Childhood Learning.

Foreign Investment Decision

I have today approved a foreign investment application from Saputo Inc. to bid for Warrnambool Cheese & Butter Factory Company Holdings Limited (WCB).

Restoring integrity in the Australian tax system

The Coalition is determined to provide stable and predictable Government.

ABS retail sales results for September

Today's retail sales figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that confidence is returning to the Australian economy in the lead up to and immediately after the Coalition's election vi

Commission commences examination of automotive industry support

The Government has long been committed to ensuring Australia has a competitive manufacturing sector, including a sustainable and profitable automotive manufacturing sector.

Statement of the Conduct of Monetary Policy

Today I am releasing, with the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, a joint Statement on the Conduct of Monetary Policy (the Statement).

Repeal of the Minerals Resource Rent Tax

The Government is today releasing draft legislation for the repeal of the Minerals Resource Rent Tax (MRRT).

Consumer Price Index - September Quarter 2013

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 1.2 per cent in the September quarter 2013, following a rise of 0.4 per cent in the June quarter 2013.  Headline inflation was 2.2 per cent through the year, fol