2012-13 Budget Documents

May 08, 2012

Download the official 2012-13 Budget documents released tonight by the Treasurer Wayne Swan.

All documents are PDF.

Treasurer Wayne Swan’s 2012 Budget Speech

May 08, 2012

This is the official transcript of Treasurer Wayne Swan’s 2012-13 Budget Speech in the House of Representatives.

  • Listen to Swan’s speech:

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Madam Deputy Speaker, I move that the Bill now be read a second time.

Strong Economy and Fair Australia

Wayne SwanThe four years of surpluses I announce tonight are a powerful endorsement of the strength of our economy, resilience of our people, and success of our policies.

In an uncertain and fast‑changing world, we walk tall — as a nation confidently living within its means.

This Budget delivers a surplus this coming year, on time, as promised, and surpluses each year after that, strengthening over time.

It funds new cost of living relief for Australian families.

It helps businesses invest, compete and adapt to an economy in transition.

And it finances bold new policies to help Australians with a disability, the aged, and those who can’t afford dental care.

It does these things for a core Labor purpose:

To share the tremendous benefits of the mining boom with more Australians. [Read more...]

Peter Slipper’s Statement To Parliament

May 08, 2012

House of Representatives Speaker Peter Slipper briefly presided over the chamber at 2pm today.

Slipper read a short statement that asserted his innocence of charges levelled at him, proclaimed his belief in the presumption of innocence, and decried trial by media.

Slipper then handed over to Deputy Speaker Anna Burke and left the House.

It was most likely Slipper’s last appearance as Speaker.

  • Listen to Slipper’s statement:

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Text of Slipper’s statement to the House.

Honourable members will know that some allegations have been made in relation to me by James Ashby, including a claim under civil law and a claim of criminal behaviour. [Read more...]

Fair Work Australia Report On Health Services Union

May 07, 2012

Fair Work Australia has released a devastating report on the activities of the Health Services Union and Craig Thomson.

Reserve Bank Cuts Interest Rates By 0.5%

May 01, 2012

The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut the cash rate by 50 basis points, or 0.5%, to 3.75%.

The decision, predicted last night by former RBA Governor Bernie Fraser, takes interest rates back to where they were in December 2009.

Treasurer Wayne Swan, Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey and Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Peter Anderson have all commented on the rates decision.

  • Listen to Treasurer Wayne Swan’s press conference (12m) – transcript below

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  • Listen to Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey’s media conference (5m)

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  • Listen to Peter Anderson’s media conference (6m)

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  • Table of interest rate changes since 1990

Text of statement by RBA Governor Glenn Stevens.

At its meeting today, the Board decided to lower the cash rate by 50 basis points to 3.75 per cent, effective 2 May 2012. This decision is based on information received over the past few months that suggests that economic conditions have been somewhat weaker than expected, while inflation has moderated.

Growth in the world economy slowed in the second half of 2011, and is likely to continue at a below-trend pace this year. A deep downturn is not occurring at this stage, however, and in fact some forecasters have recently revised upwards their global growth outlook. Growth in China has moderated, as was intended, and is likely to remain at a more measured and sustainable pace in the future. Conditions in other parts of Asia softened in 2011, partly due to natural disasters, but have recently shown some tentative signs of improving. Among the major countries, conditions in Europe remain very difficult, while the United States continues to grow at a moderate pace. Commodity prices have been little changed, at levels below recent peaks but which are nonetheless still quite high. Australia’s terms of trade similarly peaked about six months ago, though they too remain high. [Read more...]

Abbott: Gillard Should Also Reject Thomson’s Vote

Apr 29, 2012

2.30pm – Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says the Prime Minister should not claim Craig Thomson’s vote whilst the allegations surrounding him are resolved.

Reacting to the earlier media conferences by Gillard and Thomson, Abbott said the government’s survival hinged on a “tainted” vote. He reiterated his call for an early election.

Abbott queried what had happened to cause Gillard to take action against Thomson and Slipper today.

  • Listen to Abbott’s media conference:

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Craig Thomson Moves To Crossbenches; Will Continue To Support Labor

Apr 29, 2012

1.20pm – Craig Thomson has confirmed that his membership of the ALP has been suspended and he will now sit on the parliamentary crossbenches.

Speaking at a media conference in his Dobell electorate, Thomson said he will continue to support the ALP on questions of confidence and supply.

He parried questions from journalists about when the Prime Minister contacted him. He said both of them had reached the same decision but for different reasons.

  • Listen to Thomson’s media conference (14m)

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Gillard Moves On Thomson And Slipper

Apr 29, 2012

12.20pm – Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced that Craig Thomson is to leave the ALP caucus to sit on the crossbenches in Parliament and Peter Slipper is to continue standing aside from his job as Speaker.

Speaking at a press conference at Parliament House, Gillard said “a line has been crossed in terms of respect for the parliament”. She stressed her belief in the presumption of innocence for both men.

  • Listen to Gillard’s press conference (27m)

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President Obama At The 2012 White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Apr 28, 2012

Tony Abbott Speech To The Victorian Liberal Party

Apr 28, 2012

The Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott, has addressed the Victorian division of the Liberal Party in Melbourne.

  • Listen to Kooyong MP Josh Frydenberg introduce Abbott (7m)

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  • Listen to Tony Abbott’s speech (26m)

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