A round-up of recent announcements by the Rudd Government. Links on this page go to external sites.
12 Oct 08: Global financial crisis
Global financial markets are experiencing some of the most challenging conditions ever witnessed. In recent days, as global financial conditions have deteriorated markedly, governments around the world have taken unprecedented steps to guarantee the liabilities of their financial systems.
The Australian financial system is demonstrating its resilience to the international financial market turbulence. Australia’s banking institutions remain sound, well-capitalised and profitable with high asset quality.
1 Oct 08: First Home Saver Accounts open today
Homebuyers across the country can today start taking advantage of the Rudd Government's new First Home Saver Accounts to help bring the dream of homeownership closer to reality. First Home Saver Accounts are a key component of the Rudd Government's $2.2 billion affordable housing package, which will also boost rental stocks and lower housing infrastructure costs for some entry level housing. »more
24 Sept 08: National Rental Affordability Scheme legislation introduced into Parliament
The Rudd Government today introduced legislation to establish the National Rental Affordability Scheme. NRAS is a key component of the Rudd Government's $2.2 billion affordable housing package, which will boost rental stocks, help people save for their first home and lower housing infrastructure costs for some entry level housing. Delivering on an election commitment, NRAS will help build up to 50,000 new rental properties across Australia at a cost of $623 million in the first four years. »more
4 Sept 08: ABS report supports Government focus on homelessness
The Minister for Housing, Tanya Plibersek, said today that a new report released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) supports the Rudd Government’s focus on finding long term solutions to reduce homelessness.
The number of Australians who sleep rough rose by 16 per cent in the five years between 2001 and 2006, according to Counting the Homeless Australia 2006. The report showed there were 105,000 Australians who were homeless on Census night in 2006, up from 99,900 in 2001 with 16,000 rough sleepers in 2006, up from 14,000 five years earlier. »more
4 Sept 08: Indexation delivers increase to Pensions and other Income Support Payments
Families Minister, Jenny Macklin, said almost four million Australians will receive an increase in their pensions and other income support payments and allowances from 20 September.
Indexation will deliver an increase of $15.30 a fortnight in the maximum single pension and $12.70 in the maximum partnered rate for each member of a pensioner couple.
The third instalment (now $128.50) of the increased Utilities Allowance and the Seniors Concession Allowance (now $514 per annum) will also be paid from 20 September.
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