Media releases

2009

The National Unfair Contract Terms Law

The Consumer Affairs Minister, Chris Bowen MP, today outlined the details of the unfair contract terms law.

Employee Share Schemes - Consultation Paper

The Government today invited public comment on its consultation paper and draft legislation on the tax treatment of Employee Share Schemes in line with its commitment to fast-track consultation.

Improving the Fairness and Integrity in the Tax System - Tightening the Non-Commercial Loan Rules: Public Consultation

Today I announce the release of a Treasury discussion paper on the Government's 2009-10 Budget decision to tighten the non-commercial loan rules in Division 7A of the Income Tax Assessment Act

New Safety Standard for Treadmills

The Consumer Affairs Minister Chris Bowen MP has today declared a new mandatory safety standard for treadmills.

Board of Taxation to conduct two post implementation reviews

The Assistant Treasurer today announced that the Board of Taxation would undertake post-implementation reviews of certain aspects of the consolidation regime and the provisions relating to the

Managed Investment Trusts: Discussion Paper On Capital Account Election

The Assistant Treasurer, Chris Bowen MP, today announced the release of a Treasury discussion paper on proposed changes to the taxation treatment of disposals of investments by Managed Investments

Government Releases Findings of Review of Non-Forestry Managed Investment Schemes

The Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, Chris Bowen MP, today released the findings of a review of non-forestry agricultural managed investment schemes (MI

Employee Share Schemes

The Government has today outlined the key principles that will underpin the consultation process on the Budget measure that deals with the taxation arrangements surrounding employee share schemes.

Appointments to the Productivity Commission

The Assistant Treasurer, Chris Bowen MP, today announced the appointment of Dr Wendy Craik AM and Mr David Kalisch as acting full-time Commissioners and Ms Siobhan McKenna as an acting part-t

Clarity in Pricing Reforms Commence on Monday

The Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, Chris Bowen MP, today welcomed the commencement of clarity in pricing provisions in the Trade Practices Act 1974 (the TPA).

Productivity Commission Study into Public And Private Hospitals

The Assistant Treasurer, Chris Bowen, today announced that the Productivity Commission (the Commission) would undertake a study into the relative performance of the public and private hospital syst

Improving the Integrity of Prescribed Private Funds - Exposure Draft Release

The Assistant Treasurer, Chris Bowen MP, today released an exposure draft of legislation that gives effect to the Government's 2008 Budget commitment to improve the integrity of prescribed private

Next Step Towards a National Product Safety Framework

The Budget provides $24.8 million over five years to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to implement and administer the new national consumer product safety framework, which

Government Acts to Reduce Compliance Costs and Improve the Tax Law

The Rudd Government has announced a range of measures in the 2009-10 Budget as part of its ongoing efforts to improve the operation of the tax law. 

Next Major Steps to Promote Australia as a Regional Financial Hub

The Government tonight announces its next major steps to promote Australia as a financial hub in our region and support Australian jobs in the financial services sector.

ATO Strategic Compliance Package

The Rudd Government will provide $595.2 million over four years to help businesses remain viable in the face of the global recession, to tackle emerging revenue risks and promote community confiden

Increased Funding for the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

The Government will increase base funding for the ABS over the next four years to ensure the continued integrity of Australian statistics.

Government's Interim Response to High Court's Decision in Word Investments Case

The Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs announced tonight the Government's interim response to the High Court of Australia's decision in Federal Commiss

Review of the Deductible Gift Recipient Registers

The Assistant Treasurer, Chris Bowen MP, has announced tonight that the Government will commence triennial reviews of the four deductible gift recipient (DGR) registers to help improve the integrit

Increase In the Medicare Levy and Medicare Levy Surcharge Low-Income Thresholds

To ensure that Australians on low incomes remain exempt from the Medicare levy, the Government will increase the Medicare levy low-income thresholds.