Seven ‘fantasy’ promises carry $400bn bill

Original article by David Crowe, David Uren
The Australian – Page: 1 & 2 : 8-Apr-16

Some $A400bn worth of big-ticket spending initiatives over the next decade will present a challenge for the Australian Government in achieving its goal of returning the Budget to surplus. These include the $A111.4bn in net new spending on the National Disability Insurance Scheme and $A57bn in compensation payments for the now-repealed carbon tax. It is estimated that the Budget would be in surplus by 2019 without the seven spending commitments, which also include defence, education and pension funding. Australia’s debt is also expected to keep rising over coming years.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIA. PARLIAMENTARY BUDGET OFFICE, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

In hock to the world as debt tops $1 trillion

Original article by Adam Creighton
The Australian – Page: 6 : 10-Mar-16

National accounts data shows that Australia’s total foreign debt has risen to more than 60 per cent of GDP, compared with just 37 per cent in 1996. Foreign debt has risen from $A180bn to more than $A1trn in the last two decades. The Australian Labor Party’s treasury spokesman, Chris Bowen, notes that public sector debt has blown out from $A90bn to $A250bn since Barnaby Joyce was dropped as finance spokesman when the Coalition was in opposition.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF FINANCE, LF ECONOMICS

Treasurer Morrison promises to stop the debt

Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 7 : 21-Sep-15

Australia’s new Treasurer Scott Morrison says he will aim to reduce the Budget deficit and the nation’s debt. He has indicated that job creation will be also be a priority, with some 300,000 jobs created during the tenure of predecessor Joe Hockey. Morrison adds that the process of producing white papers on issues such as taxation and the federation will not be affected by the ministerial reshuffle.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF IMMIGRATION AND BORDER PROTECTION, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY

Abbott loses the plot on debt

Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 4 : 19-Mar-15

Prime Minister Tony Abbott seems to have abandoned his commitment to economic reform. He said on 18 March 2015 that the May 2015 Budget will be "dull". Abbott no longer insists on reducing debt as quickly as possible and accepts that it could take 40 years to achieve a Budget surplus. Australia’s national debt is currently at 15 per cent of GDP, but it is forecast to rise to 60 per cent by 2055

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF INDUSTRY AND SCIENCE, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION – ASX WBC, STANDARD AND POOR’S CORPORATION, BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION, MERRILL LYNCH (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD, BUSINESS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA

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

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, STANDARD AND POOR’S (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, FITCH RATINGS LIMITED, FITCH AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, MOODY’S ANALYTICS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

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

CORPORATES
STANDARD AND POOR’S (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD