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Media releases

2011

Supporting Pensioners in Tasmania

More than 102,300 pensioners in Tasmania will be supported as Australia moves to a low-carbon economy, Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten announced at the Golden Years Club in Hobart today.

Supporting Clean Technology Innovation in Tasmania

Environmental companies in Tasmania will share in funding from a $200 million national program to support business investment in renewable energy, low emissions technology and energy efficiency,

Its Time for Tony and Joe to Put Up or Shut Up

It's time for the Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott and the Shadow Treasurer, Joe Hockey to match every single cent of the Government's tax cuts, pension rises and increased payments, Assist

University of New South Wales to Host $41 Million Centre for International Finance and Regulation

The Federal Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation, Bill Shorten, together with the Deputy Premier of NSW and Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Stoner,

Transfer of the Administration of Early Release of Superannuation on Compassionate Grounds

Medicare will be responsible for the administration of early release of superannuation on compassionate grounds after new legislation was introduced into Parliament yesterday.

Countering Fraudulent Phoenix Activity by Strengthening Company and Directors' Obligations

Submissions are sought on draft legislation designed to protect workers' superannuation from so called 'phoenix' companies, Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten announced today.

Senate Inquiry into Foreign Investment in Rural Land

Today's announcement by the Coalition of a Senate Inquiry into foreign investment into rural land helps highlight a significant issue in the community the Government has acknowledged and has been a

Susan Pascoe Appointed NFP Reform Implementation Taskforce Chair

Susan Pascoe, former Commissioner with the Victorian State Services Authority and former CEO of the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria, has been appointed as the Chair of the Implementation

Government Holds Discussions on 'Review of the Consolidation Rights to Future Income and Cost Setting Rules'

The Government held a meeting with tax experts today to help clarify the uncertainty around the operation of the 'consolidation rights to future income and residual tax cost setting rules' follo

Proposed 'FAF' Rule Will Not Apply for the 2010-11 Income Year

As part of ongoing efforts to increase Australia's attractiveness to foreign investors, the Assistant Treasurer, Bill Shorten, today announced the foreign accumulation fund (FAF) integrity rule wil

Government Continues to Work With Insurance Industry to Respond to Final Flood Claims

The Australian Government today welcomed the news that more than 99% of people making claims for loss and damage arising from the Queensland floods have now received an answer from their insurer

Australia Signs a Tax Information Exchange Agreement With Liechtenstein

With the signing of a Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) in Vaduz last night (AEST), Liechtenstein has become the latest country to enter into an agreement with Australia that will assist

Coalition's Numbers don't add up - Again

The Coalition has again shown its lack of economic credibility in its response to the recent survey figures which show 99 per cent of small business people who have taken advantage of the Gillard

Help for Lower Income Workers to Build Their Wealth

Millions of workers earning up to $37,000 will get a tax refund that will directly boost their superannuation savings, under changes contained in a discussion paper released today by the Assistant

Streamlining Deductions for the Cost of Disability Insurance Through Superannuation

Superannuation funds will be able to streamline the way they claim tax deductions for the cost of total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance provided to members following the passage of legisla

99% Satisfaction Rating for Small Business Superannuation Clearing House

The Gillard Government has today released survey figures which show 99 per cent of small business people who have taken advantage of the Government's Superannuation Clearing House are satisfied wit

Helping Businesses Get Back on Their Feet After a Natural Disaster

A business owner in Marysville, Victoria, was the first business owner in Australia assisted by the Australian Taxation Office to reconstruct their records following a natural disaster – the Black

Retail Investors and Financial Service Providers will find Changing to New PDS Easier

While ensuring consumers remain protected, financial services providers will find it easier to change to the new Product Disclosure Statement regime in June 2012, following changes announced tod

New Regulations Recoup the Grants Made to Victims of Fraud from the Collapse of Trio

The $55 million grant to the victims of the Trio collapse will be recouped from APRA regulated superannuation funds following new regulations announced by Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten.

A Win For Self-Funded Retirees

The Assistant Treasurer, Bill Shorten today announced that around 120,000 self-funded retirees will benefit following the finalisation of regulations providing drawdown relief for account-based