ACOSS Reports & Submissions
Economics & Tax
January 2009
Social Inclusion and Economic Security: Recommendations for the Federal Budget 2009-10
In this submission to the Australian Treasury, ACOSS outlines policy recommendations for consideration by the Federal Government in its 2009-10 Budget to increase social inclusion at a time of economic uncertainty.
Includes: Community Services and Health; Employment, Education and Training; Housing and Infrastructure; Indigenous Communities; Social Security; Tax.
October 2008
Strong foundations: Reforming the tax and social security systems
In its first submission to the Henry Review of the Tax and Transfer System, ACOSS proposes structural reforms in both systems to improve fairness and economic efficiency. ACOSS proposes that income be taxed more consistently by reviewing tax shelters (including the concessional tax treatment of capital gains) and more fairly by redirecting tax breaks for superannuation from high income earners to low and middle income earners.
We propose that social security payments be based on an Australian Minimum Standard of Living - the minimum income needed by a single person or a couple to meet essential expenses - and that the present division of payments for peope of working age into 'pensions' and 'allowances' be replaced by a simpler and fairer system. ACOSS will make further submissions to the Review next year which provide more detail on how these reforms might be carried out.Strong foundations:
Reforming the tax and social security systems.
September 2008
Senate Economics Committee Inquiry into the disclosure regimes for charities and not-for-profit organisations.
ACOSS welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this historic inquiry - the first inquiry by the Australian Parliament into the unique needs of the Non Profit Sector (the Sector).
This submission focuses on two policy priorities arising from the inquiry terms of reference that are of particular relevance to non profit organisations operating in the community services and welfare sector:
1. Developing regulatory and legal frameworks that support the Non Profit Sector to thrive; and
2. Improving the operating environment for the Non Profit Sector by providing better financial regulation and oversight.
September 2008
ACOSS calls for two key measures in its submission to the Government’s Pension Review. First, a $2 billion financial relief package for Australia’s 5 million social security recipients. This would commence from July 2009 and focus on increases in Rent Assistance, Utilities Allowance, and Pharmaceutical Allowance. Second, ACOSS calls for a fundamental reform of the social security system to make it fairer and simpler. Payments should be based on an Australian Minimum Standard of Living set at levels high enough for singles and couples to avoid poverty.
June 2008
ACOSS has prepared this briefing on the 2008-09 Federal Budget. This paper explains the funding announcements made in the Budget in relevant areas of interest to ACOSS members. It does not offer extensive comment on the merit of these measures. It is intended to assist member organisations in their work.
For ease of analysis, at times the Budget announcements are set out by population group, even where this crosses Government portfolios. Revenue and expenditure measures are also set out under relevant portfolios, which explain why some programs are repeated. These include policy decisions announced on Budget night and those already announced beforehand (including many of the election promises).
May 2008
This report looks at the UK, Netherlands, New Zealand and USA and changes in the direction of, and investment in, welfare to work policies with aims to reduce social exclusion and strengthen economic growth and productivity by supporting more income support recipients into employment.
April 2008
Submission to the Senate Economics Committee regarding proposed income tax cuts.
March 2008
ACOSSs submission to the Fair Pay Commission called for a substantial rise in minimum wages to help ease financial pressures on low paid workers from rising rents, food and fuel prices. It argued that the financial security of low paid households rests on three pillars: minimum wages, employment, and income support and that it would be risky to rely too heavily on the income support system alone to maintain their living standards. The minimum wage should be at least sufficient to ensure that a single adult can achieve a modest but adequate standard of living well above poverty levels. The paper includes new data on poverty among low paid households and detailed analysis of the relationship between minimum wages and employment and incentives to work.
March 2008
Submission to Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations regarding draft principles developed by the Department to guide decisions on whether to appeal decisions made by social security appeals tribunals.
May 2007
ACOSS has prepared this briefing on the 2007-08 Federal Budget. This paper explains the funding announcements made in the Budget in relevant areas of interest to ACOSS members. It does not offer extensive comment on the merit of these measures. It is intended to assist member organisations in their work.
