Michelle Grattan, Author at SmartCompany

federal budget 2024 treasurer Jim Chalmers Albanese small business sme startups

Labor’s third budget to post a surplus of $9.3 billion

The third Chalmers’ budget will deliver a surplus of $9.3 billion for this financial year – the second successive surplus of the Albanese government.

albanese budget

‘Can’t sit on the sidelines’: Albanese promises direct industry support in pre-budget pledge

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has outlined a strongly interventionist role for the government to make Australia competitive in a world requiring us to “break with old orthodoxies”.

import tariffs

Hundreds of “nuisance” import tariffs to be cut from July 1

Items set to become tariff-free include toothbrushes, hand tools, fridges, dishwashers, clothing, and menstrual and sanitary products.

future fund greg combet

Former Labor minister Greg Combet to chair the Future Fund

Former Labor minister Greg Combet is to be the new chair of the Future Fund, replacing Peter Costello.

gig economy closing loopholes bill

“Turn the cliff into a ramp”: Labor to legislate new protections for gig workers

A suite of protections for gig workers will be contained in legislation to be introduced into parliament by Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke next week.

care economy

Increasing life expectancy to see Australia’s ‘care’ economy make up 15% of GDP: Intergenerational report

In four decades’ time Australians will be living longer, with more years in good health -- but the larger cohort of aged people will increase the need for care.

carry-forward-contributions-superannuation super

Australian employers to pay super on payday by 2026 under government plan

A government change requiring super to be paid on payday could mean employees will be several thousand dollars better off by retirement.

tax reforms

Only radical tax reforms can solve our fiscal drag, says former treasury head Ken Henry

The former treasury secretary has declared the Australian taxation system is in “a parlous state” and called for “big bang” tax reform.

power bills

Small business to benefit from government’s $3 billion power bill relief package

The federal government will provide up to $1.5 billion — to be matched by states and territories — for “targeted and temporary” relief on power bills for low and middle-income households and small businesses.

sexual-harassment respect@work calderone

Under new legislation employers will have positive duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace

The Albanese government is moving to implement seven legislative changes recommended by sex discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins in her Respect@Work report.

Budget childcare

ACCC to lead year-long Albanese government inquiry into the increasing cost of childcare

Next month’s budget will include $10.8 million to fund the inquiry, with government sources emphasising the probe would be very rigorous and operators would be put on the spot to explain high fees.

IR pay tony burke wages abcc summit mable multi-employer bargaining

Government to push ahead with multi-employer bargaining, changes to BOOT

The government will bring in early legislation for multi-employer bargaining this year, along with a range of other changes to the industrial relations system.

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