The latest Turnbull Government budget proposes that Australia’s progressive tax system be overhauled to put the majority of workers on the same tax rate. This briefing paper models the distributionary effects of the proposal, showing the benefits flow overwhelmingly to the highest income earners.

At the request of the Royal Commission, this information note identifies reforms affecting SME lending introduced since 2007. The reforms outlined in this information note primarily concern reforms that are of relevance to small businesses, rather than medium sized enterprises, which are treated consistently with larger enterprises within the regulatory framework.

This briefing paper shows the recently announced 23.9% tax-to-GDP cap is entirely arbitrary, and that a strict tax cap with no policy change will severely limit choices in government spending.

The scope of this paper is limited to small business credit in the form of loans, both secured and unsecured. It does not consider other banking facilities, financial products or financial services. It is intended to provide an overview of the relevant issues, and does not purport to be comprehensive.

The Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Bill 2018 (‘Advancing the Treaty Bill’) was introduced in the Legislative Assembly by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Hon. Natalie Hutchins, on 7 March 2018.