AUSTRALIA – POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Ley rules out bulk-billing means test

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Joanna Heath
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 15 : 5-Mar-15

The Australian Government has decided not to introduce a $A5 GP co-payment. Health Minister Sussan Ley is now looking for other cost-cutting options, although she has ruled out the means-testing of bulk-billing. The matter will be discussed at a meeting of Ley and Prime Minister Tony Abbott with Australian Medical Association president Brian Owler

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF HEALTH, AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION LIMITED

Medicare rebate freeze to stay

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Joanna Heath
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 4 : 4-Mar-15

Australian Medical Association president Brian Owler has backed the Federal Government’s decision to abandon its proposed Medicare co-payment. However, he says the decision to leave the Medicare rebate at its current level until 2018 should also be scrapped, arguing that it will reduce GPs’ income. Health Minister Susan Ley says the rebate freeze will also be reviewed, and has stressed the need for policies that help the Government to balance the Budget

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION LIMITED, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF HEALTH, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF HUMAN SERVICES. MEDICARE AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY

Business fears a return to union chaos

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Ewin Hannan
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 3 : 4-Mar-15

Fair Work Building & Construction’s powers to take action over unlawful conduct by unions are slated to expire at the end of May 2015. The Australian Government faces resistance from the Opposition and the Australian Greens to extend these powers. Groups such as the Australian Industry Union and Master Builders Australia are concerned about the impact on the construction industry if the sunset clause introduced by the Australian Labor Party takes effect

CORPORATES
FAIR WORK BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, THE AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY GROUP, MASTER BUILDERS AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED, AUSTRALIAN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF EMPLOYMENT, CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MINING AND ENERGY UNION OF AUSTRALIA, PALMER UNITED PARTY

Attacks on Turnbull boost Bishop

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 6 : 3-Mar-15

If Prime Minister Tony Abbott is forced to resign as leader of the Liberal Party of Australia, he will most likely be replaced either by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop or Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The latter has many conservative opponents within the party who do not share his views on issues such as gay marriage. Abbott has warned his colleagues to focus on governing and stop squabbling over the leadership

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF COMMUNICATIONS, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, FAIRFAX MEDIA LIMITED – ASX FXJ, IPSOS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIA. PARLIAMENTARY BUDGET OFFICE

Upfront payments for doctors

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Joanna Heath
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 6 : 3-Mar-15

The Australian Government is considering major changes to the Medicare system, and has widespread support among GPs for the proposed reforms. The key change under consideration is a shift to a system whereby GPs are paid an annual lump sum in advance to treat patients such as the chronically ill. This would allow the Government to abandon its controversial co-payment scheme. However, the Medicare rebate will remain at its current level until 2018

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF HEALTH, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF HUMAN SERVICES. MEDICARE AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION LIMITED, THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS, McKINSEY AND COMPANY

Abbott claws back losses

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 4 : 2-Mar-15

A Fairfax/Ipsos poll, which was carried out from 26-28 February 2015, has found that support for the federal Coalition on a two-party preferred basis has risen to 49 per cent, compared with 51 per cent for the Australian Labor Party. The previous poll in January had Labor ahead 54 to 46 on a two-party preferred basis. The Coalition’s primary vote has increased from 38 per cent to 42 per cent, and Labor’s has fallen from 40 per cent to 36 per cent. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has downplayed speculation of an imminent leadership spill

CORPORATES
FAIRFAX MEDIA LIMITED – ASX FXJ, IPSOS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF HUMAN SERVICES. MEDICARE AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, NEWSPOLL, MILLWARD BROWN AUSTRALIA, NEWS CORPORATION – ASX NWS, NEW SOUTH WALES. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET, LIBERAL PARTY OF NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE

Outrage over PM’s property hit

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Phillip Coorey, Matthew Cranston
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 8 : 26-Feb-15

The Australian Government’s proposals to crack down on foreign investors in the residential property market has the support of Master Builders Australia CEO Wilhelm Harnisch. However, buyers advocate David Morrell says the proposed application fees should be higher, although the Real Estate Institute of Australia believes that the fees are too high. The Government plans to introduce a fee of up to one per cent of the value of new or established residential properties bought by foreign investors

CORPORATES
MASTER BUILDERS AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED, THE REAL ESTATE INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED, AUSTRALIA. FOREIGN INVESTMENT REVIEW BOARD, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, RAY WHITE REAL ESTATE, AUSTRALIAN TAXATION OFFICE, NEW SOUTH WALES. THE TREASURY, PROPERTY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED, CBRE PTY LTD

ALP lead trimmed but still hold clear election winning lead as leaks emerge to damage Abbott’s leadership

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Roy Morgan Research
Morgan Poll Update – Page: Online : 24-Feb-15

A multi-mode Morgan Poll on Federal voting intention has found that support for the Coalition on a two-party preferred basis has risen by 1.5 per cent to 44 per cent. The poll, which was carried out on the weekends of 14-15 and 21-22 February 2015, also shows that support for the Australian Labor Party has fallen by 1.5 per cent to 56 per cent. Roy Morgan Research executive chairman Gary Morgan says that following a number of damaging leaks, the New South Wales election will be the next test for Prime Minister Tony Abbott, and a close result or a loss for Premier Mike Baird would increase the pressure on Abbott once again

CORPORATES
MORGAN POLL, ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, PALMER UNITED PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, NEW SOUTH WALES. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET

Aussie John: end super tax perks to save us

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Jacob Greber, Samantha Hutchinson
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 6 : 23-Feb-15

Data from the Department of the Treasury suggests that superannuation tax concessions cost about $A30bn a year. There is a growing push for these tax breaks to be scaled back or abolished, particularly for people with significant savings. Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond suggests that some wealthy people may be exploiting the super system. The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia has also urged action to address the issue in its pre-Budget submission

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSSIE HOME LOANS LIMITED, THE ASSOCIATION OF SUPERANNUATION FUNDS OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED, GRATTAN INSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA. NATIONAL CENTRE FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC MODELLING

Calls for wider inquiry into financial planning

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Clancy Yeates, Adele Ferguson
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 13 & 16 : 23-Feb-15

The Australian Government is likely to face increased pressure to hold an inquiry in the wake of a new controversy involving financial planners. It has been revealed that 750 customers of National Australia Bank have received compensation for poor advice from its investment advisers over the last five years. Several senators have urged the Government to undertake a royal commission, while Australian Consumers’ Association spokeswoman Erin Turner says there is need for greater transparency in dealing with such scandals

CORPORATES
NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED – ASX NAB, AUSTRALIAN CONSUMERS’ ASSOCIATION, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA – ASX CBA, MACQUARIE PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT PTY LTD, MACQUARIE GROUP LIMITED – ASX MQG, JBWERE LIMITED, MERITUM FINANCIAL GROUP PTY LTD