Credit cards are an integral part of Australian families but can negatively impact family budgets. Credit card operators have been free to impose unrealistic rules for a long time however, legislation was introduced into Parliament today to reform credit card regulations and give Australians a better deal at last. The credit card reforms include: Requiring credit card lenders to [...]
Legislation was passed by the Government today banning exit fees on mortgages for all new home loans from 1 July 2011. This is seen as an important day for consumers because one of the biggest hindrance stopping Australians from getting a better deal on mortgages will finally be removed. This critical measure should help boost competition in the home loan market over time, [...]
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and Australian Government Office for Women are looking to develop the next generation of female leaders in sport. Applications open on 17 March and close on 29 April 2011 for the 2011-12 round of Sports Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women. The ASC and Office for Women’s Sports Leadership Grants [...]
There is a lot of misinformation about climate change and the best way to combat it. The most recent science indicates that the potential effects of climate change are only getting worse, and the chance of them happening is much more certain. Economic studies show that the effects will also affect our economy which means less [...]
Carbon taxes are in place in Britain, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and Canada and under discussion elsewhere, including in the EU, Japan and South Africa. Other countries, including China, Taiwan, Chile and South Korea, and a number of Canadian provinces, are either considering developing their own or already have trial emissions trading [...]
The companies and individuals targeted in yesterday’s warrants were identified as having allegedly committed serious fraud. Mr Combet said the Government and the Australian people were rightly disappointed that the Home Insulation Program had been tainted by alleged illegal conduct and the possibly fraudulent behaviour of a number of individuals. While the Government has been [...]
The standard deduction will rise to $1,000 from 1 July 2013 and will give taxpayers the option of bypassing the costly and complex work of figuring out what is deductible, correctly quantifying work-related expenses and dividing expenses between income-earning purposes and private purposes. Providing a standard deduction will remove this burden for many taxpayers and increase [...]
This measure is one of a number of reforms, including increasing the superannuation guarantee rate to 12 per cent and a Government contribution for low income earners, which will directly impact the cost of conducting business in Australia While it will deliver improvements in retirement savings and a variation to the distribution of superannuation taxation concessions, someone [...]
Under the Sustainability Advantage Program your business will: identify and manage risks by including compliance with environmental legislation lower business costs by optimising your raw materials, water and energy use and minimising waste improve productivity through better business planning and staff engagement enhance your business reputation both as a supplier and employer of choice access [...]
The proposed amendments will ensure that new residential premises constructed under development lease arrangements since 3 October 2007 are treated as taxable supplies, rather than input taxed supplies, where the premises are sold by developers to home buyers or investors. This amendment will contain a transitional provision that will operate to ensure that no [...]