Media releases

I am today releasing the Report of the HIH Royal Commission in its entirety.

The Productivity Commission has been instructed to undertake an inquiry into the impacts of Commonwealth, State and Territory regulations relating to native vegetation and biodiversity.

The IMF's forecast in its April 2003 World Economic Outlook is that Australia's economic performance will keep it as one of the strongest economies of the developed world in 2003 and 2004.

The Treasurer will deliver the 2003-2004 Budget at 7.30 pm AEST on Tuesday 13 May 2003.

Today's meeting of the Ministerial Council for Commonwealth-State Financial Relations noted that, on the basis of current estimates, States and Territories would receive:

The Treasurer and the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations today released the Government's response to the report of the Inquiry into employee share ownership in Australia (the Ne

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Robert Geoffrey Gerard AO to the Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia for a term of five years.

The Chairman of the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB), Mr Keith Alfredson, has decided not to seek re-appointment following the expiry of his present term on 7 May 2003.

I am pleased to announce nine new appointments and five re-appointments to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC).

Today's National Accounts show that Australia's GDP grew by 0.4 per cent in the December quarter 2002, and by 3.0 per cent over the year.

The 2003 Economic Survey of Australia released by the OECD today provides a strong endorsement of Australia's economic performance and the Government's reform policies.

I am pleased to announce that Mr Jeffrey Lucy AM has been appointed by the Governor-General in Council as the new Deputy Chairman of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

The Australian and New Zealand governments announced today that a new tax arrangement which could boost trans-Tasman investment will come into force soon.

A significant breakthrough in the alignment of trans-Tasman tax law and a commitment to meet each year were agreed today by Australian Treasurer Peter Costello and New Zealand Finance Ministe

Australia's AAA credit rating has been restored today by the international credit ratings agency, Standard and Poor's, finally closing the chapter on Paul Keating's infamous `Banana Republic'.

The Government has today introduced legislation to establish an Energy Grants (Credits) Scheme which provides for payment of a grant to persons who are entitled to an off-road or on-road cred

International trade data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that Australia recorded a seasonally adjusted trade deficit on goods and services of $2995 million in

Today I am announcing the appointment of one Commissioner and the re-appointment of four Associate Commissioners to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Today's Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows that inflation remains well contained, with the All Groups CPI increasing by 0.7 per cent in the December quarter 2002, and 3.0 per cent through the

As part of the Measures for a Better Environment package agreed between the Government and the Australian Democrats in 1999 it was announced that differential excise of low and high sulphur