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…]
Inflation edged up slightly in the December quarter and Treasurer Joe Hockey says it’s the fault of the carbon tax.
The December quarter rise in the Consumer Price Index was 0.8%. Headline inflation was 2.7% through the year, up from 2.2% in the September quarter.
Treasurer Joe Hockey said: “The inflation rate continues to be impacted by Labor’s Carbon Tax.” He said electricity prices have increased by 22.5% since the introduction of the tax in July 2012. He called on Labor senators to pass the carbon tax repeal legislation when Parliament meets again in February.
Hockey also commented on new figures from the International Monetary Fund which project that global economic growth will increase from 3% in 2013 to 3.7% in 2014. He said: “The IMF underscores the importance of managing vulnerabilities, notwithstanding the expected strengthening in global economic activity.”
Media release from Treasurer Joe Hockey.
Consumer Price Index – December Quarter 2013
Today’s release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the December Quarter shows that inflation is slightly above the middle of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s target band. [Read more…]
For the second day running, Treasurer Wayne Swan has focussed on Queensland government budget cuts and their effect on unemployment and the national economy.
At a Brisbane media conference, Swan quoted from Queensland Budget papers which itemised $3 billion worth of cuts to health funding and 2,754 full-time job losses. [Read more…]
The Treasurer, Wayne Swan, has held his first press conference for the year, discussing a range of issues, including the inflation figures published today.
Swan also took questions on the report from the International Monetary Fund, the proposed emissions trading scheme, the Henry Tax Review, and mortgage interest rates. [Read more…]