Media releases

The Gillard Government has provided significant tax relief for small businesses affected by the flood crisis and any attempt by the Opposition to suggest otherwise is mischievous and wrong, Assi

The Assistant Treasurer, the Hon Bill Shorten MP, today announced the consultation details for the Government's election commitment to establish a Tax System Advisory Board (the Board).

Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten and Minister for Social Inclusion Tanya Plibersek today released a consultation paper on the design of a new national regulator for the not-for-profit sector.

As part of the Gillard Government's ongoing efforts to simplify and streamline Australia's tax system, the Assistant Treasurer, Bill Shorten, today released draft legislation to make further reform

Tax breaks for redevelopments that will substantially improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings are the subject of a new public consultation paper released today by Assistant Treasurer

Australian fund managers will welcome the Federal Government's announcement today of changes to the income tax treatment of investment income of foreign funds, which will make it more likely for

As part of the Gillard Government's continuing focus on simplifying the tax system, Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten today announced amendments to Australia's tax laws to allow taxpayers to self

The Assistant Treasurer, the Hon Bill Shorten MP, has today announced an extension to the proposed income tax look-through treatment to cover instalment warrants and receipts over direct

Major banks have agreed to remove the fees for non-customers withdrawing cash from their ATMs in flood-affected areas during the initial disaster recovery phase.

The Federal and Queensland Governments met today with insurance companies and industry representatives to make sure they're working closely with households and businesses to resolve claims stemmi

The Assistant Treasurer yesterday met with the Australian Banking Association, banking industry executives, key financial consumer group representatives and the Financial Ombudsman's Service to d

As part of the Gillard Government's ongoing efforts to simplify Australia's tax laws, the Assistant Treasurer is proposing new legislation to change how we determine which taxes, fees and charge

Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten met with the Insurance Council of Australia yesterday (Thursday) to discuss insurance claims in the face of the Queensland floods.

Flood victims in Queensland can get their tax payments deferred and refunds fast-tracked after the Government announced a series of measures to make things a little easier for people dealing with t

Claims the low value threshold on imported goods is responsible for the tough Christmas experienced by big Australian retailers is exaggerated, Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten said today.

Consumers will be protected from shonky credit providers from 1 January 2011 when national consumer credit licensing regulations come into effect.

The Government has today announced an inquiry into the future of Australian retail by the Productivity Commission, the release of new research into online shopping in Australia and a compliance cam

The Government has today addressed a key area of investment uncertainty for US-based fund managers investing in Australia, by announcing a clear plan to deal with the "Fin 48" issue.

Today the Assistant Treasurer, the Hon Bill Shorten MP, has announced the Government will not amend the tax law retrospectively to deny deductions against Youth Allowance for prior years following

An Australian worker, currently aged 30, can expect up to $40,000 more in retirement following the reforms to superannuation recommended in the Gillard Labor Government's 'Stronger Super' packag