Stephen Jones 2022

The Albanese government is urging Australians to be vigilant to scams this holiday season, as impersonation scams are on the rise.

Australians lost millions of dollars to online shopping scams this year. These criminals know people are on the look out for gifts and bargains at this time of year and will take advantage of Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The Albanese Government is today releasing two consultation papers to progress our plan to ensure Australia’s payments system delivers for our modern economy.

We are making meaningful changes that will help make our payments system more seamless, safer and stronger, and suitable for the times.

Today, the Government has published its response to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s September 2022 Digital Platform Services Inquiry interim report.

The Government recognises the extensive work by the ACCC throughout the Digital Inquiry, and agrees that stronger measures are warranted to protect consumers and businesses from harms on digital platforms. 

Introduction

I would like to acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people as the traditional custodians of the land we are meeting on.

I pay my respects to the Elders past and present, and acknowledge any First Nations Australians in attendance today.

Today, the Albanese government has outlined its comprehensive package to ensure Australians have access to quality and affordable financial advice when they need it most.

With over five million Australians at or approaching retirement, and only sixteen thousand professional advisers, many people simply can’t access affordable advice.

PETER STEFANOVIC:

Well, let's go to Canberra now. Joining us, the Assistant Treasurer, Stephen Jones. Stephen, before we get to money matters, got to talk to you about these new detainee laws. They've passed the Senate last night. Is it a formality now that it sails through the House?

STEPHEN JONES:

The Albanese Government is looking at how to improve the retirement phase of superannuation so that the system delivers a better retirement for more Australians.

The Albanese Government is inviting individuals, businesses, and community groups to submit their ideas and priorities for the 2024–25 Budget.

The Government places significant importance on receiving submissions in developing its budget policies as it is vital that policy development is informed by as wide a range of views as possible.

ALI MOORE:

The mid‑year budget's coming up. How do you give more cost‑of‑living relief, and we have been talking about it on this station for the last 24 hours, just the enormous demand that second bite has had from people who can't afford to put food on the table. How do you give cost‑of‑living relief without fuelling inflation?

Today, the Albanese Government takes the next step in its commitment to fight scammers, announcing public consultation on proposed tough new, mandatory industry codes for the private sector.

The proposed Scams Code Framework is the next stage in the Government’s fight against the scourge of scams, which cost Australians over $3.1 billion last year.