Media releases

2009

Legislation introduced to give effect to New Zealand tax treaty and boost tax transparency agenda

The Rudd Government has today introduced into Parliament a Bill to give effect to three international taxation treaties that will further improve investment and trade flows between Australia and

Australian Government to consider new approaches to disability

The Productivity Commission will investigate the feasibility of new approaches for funding and delivering long-term disability care and support.

National Census 2011

The Prime Minister and the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, today announced that the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has been approved to conduct the 16th national Census on 9

Project Wickenby web portal launched

The Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, today announced the launch of an information web portal for the community to access information on Project Wickenby, the Government's anti-tax crime t

Crackdown on phoenix activity

The Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, today issued an Australia-wide warning against fraudulent phoenix activity and released a package of tough new proposals to crackdown on businesses who

Minister, explorer commemorate 150th anniversary of Burke and Wills expedition

The Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry and modern day explorer, Jesse Martin, have today launched the first coins for 2010 which commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Burke and Wills Ex

Launch of Philanthropy Australia's Private Ancillary Funds Trustee Handbook

As part of the Rudd Government's ongoing commitment to supporting a vibrant philanthropic sector in Australia, the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, today launched Philanthropy Australia's

Streamlined tax laws to reduce complexity

The Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, today released rewrites of 149 pages of income tax law for public consultation in a further step towards a single Income Tax Assessment Act.

Legislation to facilitate transition to the new tax agent services regime passed by Parliament

The Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, today welcomed the passage through Parliament of the final Bill of the of the new tax agent services regime.

Pacific Island Economic Ministers endorse Cairns Compact, endorse Australia's voice at the G20 and back financial sector reform agenda

RAROTONGA, COOKS ISLANDS – Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry has met with Economic Ministers from across the Pacific in wide ranging regional economic talks at the Pacific I

Action on the costs of remittances in the Pacific

RAROTONGA, COOKS ISLANDS – Pacific Economic Ministers have endorsed Australia's call for a reduction in the fees, costs and charges of remittances across the Pacific.

Tax Office Annual Report highlights effects of global recession on Government revenue

The Australian Taxation Office has reported a $20 billion fall in revenue collections for the 2008-09 financial year due to the global recession, the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, has a

Australia and Cook Islands lead the way in ending Pacific tax secrecy

RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS – Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, and Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Finance, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sir Terepai Maoate KBE, met

Foreign investment decision – Felix Resources

The Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, has today approved the application by Yanzhou Coal Mining Company Limited (Yanzhou) to acquire full ownership of Felix Resources Limited (Felix), condi

Assistant Treasurer launches new National Tax Practitioners Board

The Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, today launched the national Tax Practitioners Board, announcing its membership and holding an inaugural meeting with the full Board.

Productivity Commission's draft report into gambling

The Australian Government welcomes the release of the Productivity Commission's draft report into Gambling.

Consultation on extending the Tax File Number withholding arrangements to certain trusts

The Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, has today released a discussion paper on the Rudd Government's 2009-10 Budget measure to extend the tax file number (TFN) withholding arrangements to

Government to amend Capital Gains Tax rules for dual listed companies

The Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, today announced that the Rudd Government will amend the income tax law to make it easier for companies participating in dual listed company arrangement

Productivity Commission's draft report into gambling

The Australian Government welcomes the release of the Productivity Commission's draft report into Gambling.

Government to Provide Tax Certainty to Investors in Forestry Managed Investment Schemes

The Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, has today announced the Rudd Government will amend the tax law to protect around 19,000 investors in forestry managed investment schemes (MIS) from a