The government has called an election and is now in caretaker

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Media releases

2010

Reforms to Boost Business Credit and Encourage Saving

The Rudd Government will boost competition in business lending with important reforms to make it easier for businesses to borrow directly from retail investors and reduce their reliance on borrowin

Helping Australians Buy Their First Home By Increasing Flexibility of First Home Saver Accounts

The Government will help Australians trying to realise the dream of home ownership by allowing First Home Saver Account-holders more flexibility to buy their first home.

July 2010 Tax Cuts to Help with Cost of Living Pressures and Strengthen Our Economy

The Rudd Government will deliver its third round of tax cuts from 1 July this year to help millions of Australian families with cost of living pressures and reward their hard work.

Increase in the Medicare Levy and Medicare Levy Surcharge Low-­Income Thresholds

To ensure that Australians on low incomes remain exempt from the Medicare Levy, the Government will increase the Medicare Levy low‑income thresholds.

Coalition to Vote Against Better Super, Lower Business Tax, More Infrastructure

The Leader of the Opposition has today announced he will vote against higher retirement savings for Australian families, business tax relief especially for Australia's 2.4 million small business

Resource Tax Consultation Panel

Today the Australian Government announced a Resource Super Profits Tax to apply from 1 July 2012.

Stronger, Fairer, Simpler: A Tax Plan for Our Future

The long term tax plan we announce today will strengthen the economy and make the tax system fairer and simpler for Australian working families and businesses.

Stronger, Fairer, Simpler Superannuation Banking the Benefits of the Boom

The Rudd Government will deliver an historic boost to retirement savings to help prepare for an ageing population and ensure the Australian people get a fairer share of our mineral wealth.

Board of Taxation Appointments

I am pleased to announce the following reappointments to the Board of Taxation:

Consumer Price Index – March Quarter 2010

Today's Consumer Price Index (CPI) result shows that headline inflation was 0.9 per cent in the March quarter 2010, and 2.9 per cent over the year.

Australia's Future Tax System Review

The Treasurer will release the Australia's Future Tax System Review (AFTSR) and outline the Government's initial response on Sunday 2 May 2010.

Treasurer to Attend G20 Finance Ministers' Meeting

Tomorrow I will meet with fellow G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Washington DC before attending the Spring Meetings of the IMF and World Bank over the weekend.

IMF World Economic Outlook April 2010

The IMF in its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) has confirmed that Australia continues to outperform the major advanced economies and is a leader in the global economic recovery.

Treasurer to Hold Meetings in New York

Today I depart for New York to hold meetings with key investors and business leaders, as well as the New York Federal Reserve ahead of the G20 Finance Ministers' Meeting in Washington, DC.

2010-2011 Budget Lock-Up

The Treasurer will deliver the 2010-11 Budget on Tuesday 11 May 2010, with his Budget speech beginning in the House of Representatives around 7.30pm (AEST).

OECD and World Bank Updates on the Global Economic Recovery

The OECD and World Bank global economic updates released today point to progress in the global economic recovery, but highlight the uneven nature of the recovery and caution against too rapid a w

R&D Tax Incentive — Second Exposure Draft Legislation

Treasurer Wayne Swan and Innovation Minister Kim Carr today released a second exposure draft of the legislation for the new R&D tax incentive.

Removal of Large Deposits and Wholesale Funding Guarantee

Today marks another important milestone in Australia's economic recovery with the closure of the Guarantee of Large Deposits and Wholesale Funding (Guarantee).

Opposition Leader's Economic Misjudgement on Display Again

The Leader of the Opposition has today provided another alarming demonstration of the risks his economic ignorance and misjudgement pose to the Australian economy.

Australian Government supports a fair increase in the minimum wage

Today, the Government provided a submission to the Fair Work Australia 2010 Annual Wage Review in support of a considered rise in minimum wages which deliver a real increase in pay for low incom