Cuts, tax hikes critical to AAA rating

Original article by Jacob Greber
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 5 : 6-Feb-15

Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey said on 5 February 2015 that there is "no easy path" to a Budget surplus. The Federal Government seems to have given up aiming for large savings in the May 2015 Budget. Ratings agencies contend that for Australia to preserve its "AAA" credit rating in the long term, the Government must raise taxes or reduce spending. Andrew Colquhoun of Fitch Ratings notes that New Zealand’s Budget was revised without the political turmoil seen in Australia

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S&P draws line in the sand on national debt

Original article by Adam Creighton
The Australian – Page: 21 : 30-Jul-14

Credit ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has issued its annual ratings review for 2014, voicing some concerns about the Australian economy. It noted the reliance on China’s growth, the sizeable current account deficit and negative sentiment among investor as factors, as well as the potential for a "bubble" to emerge in the residential real estate market. S&P has also warned state and federal governments that in order to retain the nation’s "AAA" status their total net debt must not exceed 30% of GDP

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