No tax on disaster payments for fire-stricken Aussies

Original article by David Crowe
The Age – Page: Online : 9-Jan-20

The federal government has advised that the one-off Disaster Recovery Allowance for bushfire victims will be exempt from income tax. The government will introduce legislation to this effect when Parliament resumes in early February, and it is expected to be supported by Labor. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says accommodation operators in fire-affected areas have been hard hit by the disaster, and he has urged people to support them by not cancelling their bookings and seeking a refund.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY

Senator wants end to unions’ tax-free status

Original article by Tom McIlroy
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 9 : 18-Jun-18

Coalition senator Amanda Stoker says unions should no longer be exempt from paying tax, as they have a competitive advantage in business areas where they operate. She adds that about two million workers do not have choice of superannuation fund because they are required to join a union-backed industry fund. Stoker also notes that many workers are also restricted to joining one union, and unions often exploit this monopoly in enterprise bargaining negotiations. Stoker will use her maiden speech in Parliament to advocate reform.

CORPORATES
LIBERAL-NATIONAL PARTY OF QUEENSLAND, CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MARITIME, MINING AND ENERGY UNION OF AUSTRALIA, HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA. PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY