The government has called an election and is now in caretaker

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Media releases

2003

Deductibility Of Gifts To Rural Fire and Emergency Services Authorities

The Treasurer today announced that the Government will amend the Income Taxation Assessment Act 1997 to ensure that gifts of $2 or more donated to the Country Fire Authority and the Victoria State

Nomination of Australian Alternate Director to The Asian Development Bank

The Treasurer today announced the nomination of Mr Richard Moore, a senior official with the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), to the position of Alternate D

Appointments to the National Competition Council

The Governor-General this morning appointed Dr Wendy Craik as President, and Mr David Crawford, Dr Douglas McTaggart, Ms Virginia Hickey and Mr Rodney Sims as Councillors, of the National Co

Productivity Commission First Home Ownership Discussion Paper

The Productivity Commission draft report is an important contribution to the discussion on first home ownership and highlights many important features of the current housing cycle.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission Appointments

The outgoing Chairman, Mr David Knott, is taking leave prior to his resignation at the end of the year.

Appointments to the Productivity Commission

The Treasurer, the Hon. Peter Costello, today announced the appointment to the Productivity Commission of Robert Fitzgerald AM and Philip Weickhardt as Commissioners.

Australian Competition Tribunal Appointments

I am pleased to announce the appointment of two additional Deputy Presidents to the Australian Competition Tribunal.

National Competition Policy Payments To States and Territories For 2003-04

The Treasurer today announced that the Australian Government will make competition payments to the States and Territories of more than $578 million in 2003-04.

States Better Off Under GST

GST revenue to the States and Territories for 2003-04 is estimated to be $32.457 billion dollars.

Taxation of Temporary Residents

The Government will not proceed with a previously announced measure to provide a four-year exemption for first-time temporary residents for most foreign source income, including capital gains

2003-04 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook

The 2003-04 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) released today demonstrates the continued resilience of the Australian economy and reflects the Government's ongoing commitment to a s

CLERP (Audit Reform and Corporate Disclosure) Bill Introduced

The Treasurer, the Hon Peter Costello, today introduced the Corporate Law Economic Reform Program (Audit Reform and Corporate Disclosure) Bill into Parliament.

Regulations to Clarify the Tax Treatment of Certain Redeemable Preferences Shares

The Government will introduce a regulation under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to clarify the basis under which a redeemable preference share may qualify as a debt interest for the purp

National Accounts: September Quarter 2003

Today’s National Accounts show that Australia’s economic growth rebounded very strongly in the September quarter, growing by 1.2 per cent in the quarter and by 2.6 per cent over the y

Mark Latham's Question Time Blunder

In Question Time yesterday, Mark Latham asked this question:-

OECD Expects The Australian Economy to Gather Momentum

The OECD’s latest Economic Outlook provides a positive assessment of the Australian economy, with economic growth and employment forecast to improve and inflation expected to remain low.

Review of Aspects of Income Tax Self-Assessment

Today I am announcing the Government’s decision to review aspects of the income tax self-assessment system.

Treasury Portfolio - Allocation of Ministerial Functions

With the appointment of Mr Ross Cameron MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, I would like to announce his responsibilities within the Treasury portfolio.

Labor's Latham on Wealth Taxes

Mr Latham has proposed death duties as part of his Progressive Expenditure Tax (PET).

Appointment of Ms Louise Sylvan as ACCC Deputy Chair

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Louise Sylvan as the Deputy Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for a term commencing on 6 November 2003 a