Media releases

2007

Making it Easier to Complete Income Tax Returns

The Government will provide additional funding of $20 million in 2007-08 to enable the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to pre-fill electronic individual income tax returns for the 2007-08 and foll

Dependent Spouse Rebate Increased to $2,100

The Government has announced a substantial increase in the dependent spouse rebate to $2,100 (up from $1,655) for the 2007-08 financial year and beyond.

Superannuation - Additional Government Co-Contribution

The Treasurer announced tonight that the Government will pay a one-off additional co-contribution into the superannuation accounts of those persons who made eligible contributions in the 2005-06 in

Personal Income Tax Cuts

The Treasurer announced tonight that all Australian taxpayers will share in tax cuts worth $31.5 billion over the next four years.

Appeal to High Court - Takeovers Panel Litigation

The Takeovers Panel plays a vital and integral role in resolving takeovers-related disputes during the bid period.  It provides interested parties with an efficient means of resolving disput

Productivity Commission Report - Review of Price Regulation of Airport Services

The Treasurer and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services today announced the Australian Government’s response to the Productivity Commission inquiry report entit

Proposed Appointments of Mr Tony D'Aloisio as Chairman and Mr Jeffrey Lucy am as a Commissioner of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)

I have written to the States and Territories proposing the appointment of Mr Tony D’Aloisio to the position of Chairman of ASIC and Mr Jeffrey Lucy AM to the position of Commissioner of ASIC.&nbs

Consumer Price Index March Quarter 2007

Today’s All Groups Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.1 per cent in the March quarter 2007, to be 2.4 per cent higher than a year ago.

2007-08 Budget - Media Lock-Up Arrangements

The Treasurer will deliver the 2007-08 Budget at 7.30 pm AEST on Tuesday 8 May 2007.

Foreign Investment Review Board: Reappointment of Mr John Phillips, AO

The Treasurer announced today the reappointment of Mr John Phillips AO, as Chairman of the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) for a further five‑year term.

Framework for Reviewing Administrative Decisions by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)

The Government has completed its initial consultation on its December 2006 discussion paper Streamlining Prudential Regulation: Response to ‘Rethinking Regulation’, which canvassed optio

Reducing Red Tape and the Regulatory Burdens on Business

The Government has made significant progress over the past nine months in reducing regulatory burdens imposed on business by Commonwealth Government regulation, and in improving regulation‑making

Nomination of Australian Alternate Director to the Asian Development Bank

The Treasurer today announced the nomination of Mr Dereck Rooken‑Smith, a senior official with the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), to the position of Alternate

Nomination of Australian Executive Director to the World Bank

The Treasurer today announced the nomination of Dr Jim Hagan PSM, a senior Treasury official, to the position of Executive Director at the World Bank from 1 August 2007 for a period of four years

Treasurer to visit London and attend IMF meeting in Washington

The Treasurer will be visiting London and Washington DC on official business from 9-14 April. 

Productivity Commission Research Study into Local Government Own-Source Revenue

The Treasurer today announced that the Productivity Commission will undertake a study to examine local government’s own revenue sources.

Appointments to the Productivity Commission

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Neil Byron and Mrs Angela MacRae as part-time Commissioners of the Productivity Commission.  Dr Neil Byron’s term as a full-time Commissioner

Meeting of the Ministerial Council for Commonwealth-State Financial Relations and The Australian Loan Council

Payments to the States and Territories Today’s meeting of the Ministerial Council for Commonwealth-State Financial Relations noted the Statement of Estimated Payments to the States and

Review of Inefficient State Taxes

As a result of the Australian Government’s tax reforms, the following taxes have been abolished:  accommodation tax, financial institutions duty, marketable securities duty and debits tax.&n

Membership of the Financial Sector Advisory Council

I am pleased to announce today the appointments of Mr David Liddy, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Queensland and Mr Robert Elstone, Managing Director and Chief Executive O