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Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey has delivered a speech in which he says the age of personal and corporate responsibility has begun.
Addressing the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Hockey said: “Individuals must do more for themselves, they must become more self-reliant. And the business sector must shoulder more of the burden. It must restore corporate accountability, and rely less on government assistance. It must stand on its own feet, and it must pay its fair share of tax.” [Read more…]
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Abbott began his speech with an overview of world economic conditions and the prospects for growth. He reiterated his election campaign themes and said Australia was now “open for business”.
Abbott said his government’s aim is to ensure that every “fit” person of working age remained in the workforce, either in a paid capacity or some other form.
The Prime Minister spoke of Australia’s role as president of the G20 over the coming year. He said he was looking forward to discussions in Brisbane about the digital economy and world infrastructure. He emphasised the importance of free markets and the need for governments to get out of the way of industry. “Government doesn’t create growth,” he said. “People do, when they run profitable businesses.”
“Better governance is not the same as more government,” Abbott told the forum.
Transcript of Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s Address to the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland.
THIS YEAR’S G20: GETTING THE FUNDAMENTALS RIGHT
For more than 40 years, this World Economic Forum at Davos has been an important contributor to global progress.
It has brought together some of the best thinkers and most important decision-makers: not to dwell on problems but to focus on opportunities.
As 2014 begins, it’s easier to be optimistic. [Read more…]
Australia has becomes the world’s 12th largest economy, according to figures from the International Monetary Fund.
The Treasurer, Wayne Swan, said this is a remarkable achievement for a country with the world’s 51st largest population.
Over the past five years, Australia has moved up three places from the 15th largest economy to the 12th, surpassing South Korea, Mexico and Spain.
Media release from Treasurer Wayne Swan.
Today’s release of the IMF’s October 2012 World Economic Outlook shows that Australia is now the world’s 12th largest economy and has leapfrogged three places ahead under the Labor Government, after slipping back three places under the previous government.
As a country with the world’s 51st largest population, this is a remarkable achievement, and demonstrates the Australian community’s hard work and resilience, as well as the Government’s sound economic management, during a time of global economic upheaval. [Read more…]
This video shows Dr. Hans Rosling charting the improvements in health and income around the world over the past 200 years.
The 4-minute clip is an extract from The Joy of Stats. The complete video of The Joy of Stats can be seen here.
Rosling’s GapMinder website describes itself as a “non-profit venture – a modern ‘museum’ on the Internet – promoting sustainable global development and achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.” It was founded in Stockholm in 2005.
