Media releases

1998

Foreign Investment Policy: Ownership Structure for the Ten Group LTD (TGL) - Canwest/TNQ Float Proposal

The Treasurer has informed both CanWest Global Communications Corp (CanWest) and Telecasters North Queensland Limited (TNQ) that the Government has no objections to the CanWest/TNQ float proposal i

Foreign Investment Review Board: 1996-97 Annual Report

The Foreign Investment Review Board’s 1996-97 Annual Report was released today. The main points in the FIRB’S 1996-97 annual report are as follows:

National Accounts: December Quarter 1997

Today’s National Accounts show continuing strong economic growth with the Australian economy growing by 3.6 per cent through the year to the December quarter 1997.

Balance of Payments: December Quarter 1997

The balance of payments estimates for the December quarter 1997 indicate a seasonally adjusted current account deficit of $5,736 million.

Hire Purchase and Limited Recourse Debt Transactions

In the 1997-98 Budget the Government announced it would amend the income tax law in relation to property acquired under hire purchase or limited recourse finance arrangements.

Private New Capital Expenditure

The Treasurer, Mr Peter Costello, welcomed the Private New Capital Expenditure figures released by the ABS as a further indication of the strength of domestic demand.

Australia Not to Subscribe to Additional Shares in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

The Treasurer today announced that Australia would not be subscribing to additional shares allocated to it in the recent general capital increase of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Develop

Commonwealth Legislation Review and Competitive Neutrality Annual Reports

I am today releasing annual reports on the Commonwealth’s progress in undertaking Legislation Review and the implementation of Competitive Neutrality policy in 1996-97.

Tax Reform: Officials' Papers on Taxation of Trusts, Life Insurance and Limited Partnerships

In the 1997-98 Budget, I announced that the Government would review the taxation of trusts and as part of that process, the Treasury and the Australian Taxation Office would release a discussion pa

IC Report on State, Territory and Local Government Assistance to Industry

The Government released today the Industry Commission’s final report on State, Territory and Local Government Assistance to Industry.

Nomination of Australian Alternate Director to the Asian Development Bank, Manila

The Treasurer, the Hon Peter Costello, MP, has today announced the nomination of the Hon Stephen Baker for the position of Alternate Director at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila.

Beazley: No Credibility

Mr Beazley yesterday claimed a future Labor Government would deliver an underlying surplus in each of its first three budgets. The leopard does not change its spots.

Closure of Cobar Mines PTY LTD

The Federal Treasurer, Mr Peter Costello, today welcomed the announcement by the Australian Securities Commission that it will examine the circumstances under which Cobar Mi

Cheques Reforms - Treasurer Releases Draft Legislation

Building societies, credit unions, and their industry Special Serivices Providers (SSPs) will be allowed to issue cheques in their own name under draft legislation released today by the Treasurer,

Surplus

The statement today by Opposition spokesman Martin Ferguson that the Government ought to be thinking about digging into a surplus shows the ineptitude of Labor policy.

Australian Financial Payments System Reforms

The effectiveness of the new system to be introduced by the Reserve Bank for the settlement of high-value wholesale payments (the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system) would be enhanced under d

Tax Deductibility of Gifts to the United Israel Appeal Refugee Relief Fund

The Government has decided to amend the income tax law to allow deductions for gifts of the value of $2 or more, made on or after the date of this press release, to the United Israel Appeal Ref

Gifts to the Sydney Talmudical College Association Refugees Overseas Aid Fund

The Government has decided to amend the income tax law to allow deductions for gifts of the value of $2 or more, made on or after the date of this press release, to the Sydney Talmudical Colleg