LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS – AUSTRALIA

Mandatory super comes under fire

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Original article by Sally Rose, Joanna Mather, Misa Han, Patrick Durkin
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 : 22-Feb-16

A spokesman for Treasurer Scott Morrison has downplayed media reports which suggested that the Federal Government may allow low-income earners to opt out of the superannuation system. The proposal has received support from David Murray, who headed the Government’s financial system inquiry, although it has attracted criticism from the superannuation industry and key employer groups.

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AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, NEWS CORP AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, NEWS CORPORATION – ASX NWS, THE AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY GROUP, COUNCIL OF SMALL BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED, DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU LIMITED, BUSINESS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, FINANCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL, INDUSTRY SUPER AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, THE ASSOCIATION OF SUPERANNUATION FUNDS OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED, REST SUPER PTY LTD, VISION SUPER PTY LTD

GST less regressive than critics say

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Original article by Jacob Greber
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 4 : 8-Oct-15

A Productivity Commission report concludes that households on low incomes pay about seven per cent of their earnings in the form of GST. This compares with around five per cent of the earnings of people on incomes exceeding $A150,000. The study refutes claims that increasing the GST would place the greatest burden on low-income households. The Productivity Commission stresses that further research on the issue is needed.

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AUSTRALIA. PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY

Householders’ bills tipped to soar as gas exports begin

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Original article by Esther Han
The Sydney Morning Herald – Page: 3 : 20-Oct-14

Tony Wood, director of the energy program at the Grattan Institute, says households along the eastern seaboard will pay as much as $A435 per annum more for gas, once feedstock is diverted to the emerging LNG exporting industry in Queensland. Wholesale prices are tipped to grow 100% to $A9 a gigajoule. Australian Council of Social Service CEO Cassandra Goldie warns that the increases will affect those users the most who have the lowest incomes. However Wood argues that job creation and other benefits mean governments should not intervene, and should instead compensate low-wage earners

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GRATTAN INSTITUTE, AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, AUSTRALIAN WORKERS’ UNION-FEDERATION OF INDUSTRIAL, MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING EMPLOYEES, BIS SHRAPNEL PTY LTD, ENERGY AND WATER OMBUDSMAN (NSW) LIMITED