On 4 February 2008, the government confirmed its 2007 federal election commitment to establish First Home Saver Accounts to assist Australians aged 18 and over to save for their first home. First Home Saver Accounts will provide a simple, tax effective way for Australians to save a deposit for their first home through a combination...

This statement provides details of concessions, benefits and incentives provided through the tax system (tax expenditures) to taxpayers by the Australian government. The publication of information on the Australian Government’s tax expenditures is a requirement under the Charter of Budget Honesty Act 1998. This statement lists around 300 tax expenditures and, where possible, reports the...

Under the Competition Principles Agreement (CPA), the Australian Government is required to publish an annual report outlining its progress towards: achieving the review and, where appropriate, reform of all existing legislation that restricts competition (as outlined in the Commonwealth Legislation Review Schedule); and implementing competitive neutrality principles (including allegations of non compliance).

In recent years, employment has grown strongly while output has grown modestly. This implies a weak growth in labour productivity that is difficult to interpret. This article explores some possible explanations for recent economic growth and labour productivity outcomes, with a focus on developments in the composition of growth. It also examines whether recent productivity...

The federal government's 2007-2008 budget website includes the following papers: Budget Speech, Budget Strategy and Outlook, Budget Measures, Federal Financial Relations and Agency Resourcing.