The government has called an election and is now in caretaker

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Media releases

2012

Payments for families with schoolkids start tomorrow

From tomorrow, 1.3 million Australian families will receive a boost to their budgets to help with school costs.

Competition in equity market clearing and settlement

Today I announce new consultations on the regulatory framework for competition in the clearing and settlement functions of the Australian cash equity market, along with a discussion paper on how

Treasurer to lead business delegation to China

Tonight at the Prime Minister's Economic Forum in Brisbane I announced that I will lead a delegation of Australian business leaders to Hong Kong and Beijing as part of the Government's agenda to

Release of GST Distribution Review Second Interim Report

Today the second interim report of the independent GST Distribution Review being conducted by the Hon John Brumby, Mr Bruce Carter and the Hon Nick Greiner AC has been released.  This follo

National Accounts – March Quarter 2012

Today's National Accounts paint an extraordinary picture of exceptional growth in the March quarter, and showcase the rock-solid economic fundamentals which put our economy in a league of its ow

Nomination of Australian Alternate Director to the International Monetary Fund

The Australian Government will nominate Mr Ian Davidoff for appointment as an Alternate Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund for a two year term beginning 1 November 2012, follo

More assistance to people on minimum wage

The National Minimum Wage will be increased by $17.10 a week following a decision handed down today by Fair Work Australia’s specialist Minimum Wage Panel.

Story in News Limited Papers wrong

The story by Steve Lewis in today's Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, Adelaide Advertiser and Courier Mail claiming bottled water and fruit snacks for school students visiting Parliament House have b

Fairer deal on ATMs for remote Indigenous Communities

The Gillard Government today announces a new commitment by the Australian banking industry and two major independent ATM companies to voluntarily provide free transactions at 76 ATMs across very re

OECD Economic Outlook 91 - May 2012

The OECD Economic Outlook released tonight confirms that the Australian economy will significantly outperform OECD economies as a whole over this year and next.

Spreading the benefits of the Boom

The Gillard Government will deliver a $1.8 billion boost to family payments, new tax relief for business and lump sum allowances for struggling Australians as part of a new Benefits o

A stronger economy for a fair Australia

The 2012-13 Budget will keep the Australian economy among the strongest in the world.

2012-13 Budget builds on growing record of tax reform

The 2012-13 Budget delivers major tax reforms to improve the fairness and efficiency of the tax system and provide relief to households and businesses not in the fast lane of the mining boom.

Keeping low-income earners exempt from Medicare Levy

The Government will raise the low-income thresholds for the Medicare Levy and Medicare Levy Surcharge as part of the 2012-13 Budget, reinforcing the Government's commitment to supporting low-inco

New flood victims exempt from flood levy

As a Queenslander, my heart goes out to those whose lives have been devastated thanks to Mother Nature in recent years.

Tax relief for businesses in our patchwork economy

The Gillard Government will provide new business tax relief with a loss carry-back initiative to help businesses facing pressures in our patchwork economy and encourage them to invest and grow.

Expansion of program to fight bowel cancer

The Gillard Government's life-saving National Bowel Cancer Screening Program will be expanded under the 2012-13 Budget to provide additional screenings to people aged 60 and 70.

Prime Minister to host Economic Forum

A major forum on the Australian economy will be held next month to continue the national discussion on the challenges to our economy posed by the high dollar, and how we can keep our economy str

Consumer Price Index - March Quarter 2012

Today's inflation data show a moderation in both headline and underlying inflation through the year to March, with underlying inflation remaining well contained at the lower end of the Reserve B

GST Distribution Review Interim Report

Today the first interim report of the independent GST Distribution Review - being conducted by the Hon John Brumby, Mr Bruce Carter and the Hon Nick Greiner AC (the Panel) - has been released.