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Media releases

2004

Labor's 'Participation Dividend' Does Not Exist

As it intended all along, Labor lodged its tax policy too late to have its so-called participation dividend costed.

Medicare "Gold" Unfunded and Unsustainable

The Finance Department costings of Labor’s "flagship" policy "Medicare Gold" show the policy is unfunded and would be unsustainable if Mr Latham ever tried to implement it.

Coalition Promises $300,000 to Ballarat POW Memorial

A re-elected Coalition Government will provide an additional $300,000 to the Australian Ex Prisoners of War Memorial at Ballarat, to assist with the implementation of a business plan

How Labor Doctored Its Own Tax Policy

In its tax policy, Labor claimed that the labour supply would increase by 72,000 people and that $1.2 billion in revenue would be created to pay for the policy.

IMF Predicts Continued Strong Growth for the Australian Economy

The IMF in the September 2004 World Economic Outlook expects that Australia's strong economic performance will continue.

Latham Hides Tax Policy From Independent Costing

Last night, the ALP referred elements of its Tax and Better Family Payment Plan, released on 7 September 2004, some 22 days before, for costing under the Charter of Budget Ho

What Has Labor Got to Hide

Labor released its tax policy 16 day ago. It could have been submitted for costing any day since then.

Latham's Tax Policy Not Funded Leaves 3.5M Worse Off

Mark Latham's tax policy is underfunded by $2.7 billion.

Labor Costings

The Coalition has to date submitted the following policies for costing by the Departments of Treasury and Finance under the Charter of Budget Honesty:

GST Revenue Windfall to the States and Territories

The States and Territories are benefiting from a cumulative GST windfall of $11.8billion to 2007-08, which is more than triple the estimate at the inaugural meeting of the Ministerial Council

Final Budget Outcome

The Australian Government general government sector recorded an underlying cash surplus of $8billion in 2003-04.

Coalition Offers an Extra $120 Million for the Scoresby Freeway

I am announcing today that the Coalition will increase our contribution to the Scoresby Freeway by $120 million, to a total of $565 million, provided the Victorian Government reverses its dec

Job Advertisements Indicate Continuing Strong Employment Growth

Data from the ANZ Bank job advertisements series released today show the number of newspaper job advertisements increased by 4.0 per cent in August to an average of 22,463 per week.

Lathams Cardboard Guarantee in Tatters

On Thursday Mark Latham signed a large piece of cardboard emblazoned with huge lettering: "LABOR’S LOW INTEREST RATE GUARANTEE".

National Accounts: June Quarter 2004

Today’s National Accounts show the Australian economy continues its solid run growing by 0.6percent in the June quarter 2004, to be 4.1percent higher through the year.

Productivity Commission Inquiry into the Commercial Relationship Between the Smash Repair Industry and the Insurance Industry

The Productivity Commission is to inquire into the commercial relationship between the smash repair industry and the insurance industry at the request of the Treasurer, Peter Costell

Latham and Standards Don't Mix

Copies of this Press Release may be requested from the Treasurer's Office.

Productivity Commission to Inquire into Pigmeat Industry

The Treasurer, Peter Costello, and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Warren Truss, have announced that the Productivity Commission will conduct an inquiry into Austra

Balance of Payments and Investment Position - June Quarter 2004

Today’s balance of payments data show that Australia posted a current account deficit of $12.0 billion or an estimated 5.9 per cent of GDP in the June quarter 2004.

Deductibility of Gifts to the Lord Somers Camp and Power House

Today I am announcing the Government’s decision to introduce legislation to ensure that qualifying gifts to the Lord Somers Camp and Power House continue to be tax deductible.