Media releases

2015

Lower inflation is good news for Australian families

Today's release of the December quarter Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows inflation rising by a modest 0.2 per cent to be 1.7 per cent for the year.

Declaration of a terrorist incident: Government acts to ensure payment of insurance claims for Lindt Café incident

Following the tragic events at the Martin Place Lindt Café in December 2014, I have today declared the siege a “terrorist incident” for the purposes of the Terrorism Insurance Act.

2014

New appointments to the Treasury portfolio

I welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement today that will see two new appointments to the Treasury portfolio.

2015-16 pre-Budget submissions

I am inviting submissions from individuals, businesses and community groups on their views regarding priorities for the 2015-16 Budget.

Fairfax Media wrong again on corporate tax

Fairfax Media this morning ran a story on tax by Heath Aston. The story is wrong. The Government has not let corporate tax avoiders off the hook.

Release of 2014-15 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook

Over the last twelve months the Australian economy has continued to strengthen despite significant offshore headwinds.

Timing of MYEFO release

The Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) will be released next Monday, 15 December 2014.

Appointment of the Australian Statistician

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr David Kalisch as the full-time Australian Statistician of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for a period of five years.

Productivity Commission review into goods and skilled workers exchange in Australia and with NZ

Today the Treasurer, Joe Hockey, and the Minister for Industry, Ian Macfarlane, announced a Productivity Commission review that will aim to make the movement of goods and skilled workers easier wit

Appointment of the Secretary to the Treasury

I welcome the appointment of Mr John Fraser to the position of Secretary to the Treasury.

Productivity Commission appointments

I am pleased to announce the following appointments to the Productivity Commission (the Commission):

Release of the Financial System Inquiry Report

The Financial System Inquiry report I release today delivers on our election commitment and lays out a blueprint for the financial system over the next decade.

Productivity Commission Inquiry into Barriers to Business Entries and Exits

The Treasurer, Joe Hockey, and the Minister for Small Business, Bruce Billson, are pleased to announce a Productivity Commission inquiry into barriers to business entries and exits.

New financial cooperation with China

Australia and China have agreed to establish official renminbi (RMB) clearing arrangements in Australia.

Treasurer to attend APEC Finance Ministers' meeting

Today I leave for China, where I will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers' Meeting in Beijing.

G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting Washington, DC

We have just completed the final working session of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors under Australia’s Presidency.

G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting Washington

This weekend I leave for the US, where I will host the fourth and last meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors under Australia’s Presidency.

2013-14 Final Budget Outcome

The Final Budget Outcome (FBO) for the 2013-14 financial year is a budget report card on the previous Government’s irresponsible fiscal and economic management.

G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting

G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Cairns today have delivered strategies that will achieve 1.8 per cent of additional growth across the global economy.

Global leaders to tackle profit shifting and tax evasion

G20 Finance Ministers have agreed to tackle base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) to make sure companies pay their fair share of tax.