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Government Releases National Commission Of Audit Report

May 01, 2014

The federal government has released the report of the National Commission of Audit.

Hockey

The report makes 86 recommendations – 64 dealing with budget finances and 22 dealing with public sector performance and accountability as well as infrastructure.

The Commission says: “The recommendations offer savings estimated at $60 to $70 billion per year within ten years. On top of this with the reduction of debt there will be a significant annual saving in interest.”

Amongst other things, the report calls for the income taxing power to be returned to the states in order to address vertical fiscal imbalance and to allow the states to be 100% responsible for policies in areas such as education and health. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Abbott, Audio, Budget, Video Tagged With: , ,

Hockey Gives Audit Commission Extra Fortnight For First Report

Jan 21, 2014

The Federal Treasurer, Joe Hockey, has extended the Commission of Audit’s first reporting date by two weeks.

The Commission requested an extension of its January 31 deadline.

Text of media release from Treasurer Joe Hockey.

Commission of Audit’s phase one reporting date

The Federal Government has granted a request from the Commission of Audit to extend its reporting date for the phase one report by up to two weeks. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Abbott, Budget Tagged With: , ,

Commission Of Audit Interrogated By Senate Select Committee

Jan 15, 2014

Members of the Abbott government’s Commission of Audit appeared before a Senate Select Committee today.

Committee

The Commission of Audit was established by the government on October 13.

On December 11, the Senate established a Select Committee to inquire into the Commission of Audit and any reports it makes to the government. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Abbott, Audio, Budget, Parliamentary Committees Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Health Minister Peter Dutton Won’t Comment On Medicare Levy Speculation

Dec 29, 2013

The Minister for Health, Peter Dutton, has refused to comment on speculation that the Commission of Audit will recommend a Medicare co-payment for bulk-billed patients.

Dutton“We won’t be commenting on speculation around what the Commission of Audit may or may not recommend,” Dutton said.

Media speculation this week has suggested consideration of a $5 upfront co-payment for bulk-billed GP patients. The speculation suggests savings of around $700 million a year can be made by introducing the co-payment.

The idea is said to apply to families after they have made 12 visits to a GP in any year. Pensioners and health card holders would be exempt.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Penny Wong, described the proposal as a tax on health care and said the Abbott government is not the government voters thought they were getting. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Abbott, Health Tagged With: , ,
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