Big Pay Rise for MPs – The Remuneration Tribunal, which makes binding determinations on salaries for MPs and senior public servants, will announce the results of a rigorous review within weeks, with speculation that the rise for backbenchers could be $50,000. They are currently paid about $140,000. Prime Minister Julia Gillard and frontbenchers on both [...]
Cuts to the Baby Bonus – In the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) released today, the government predicted a slim $1.5 billion surplus in 2012/13, compared with its previous $3.5 billion forecast in the May Budget. It also said this financial year’s deficit would be a larger $37.1 billion shortfall than the $22.6 billion [...]
Tags: Baby Bonus, budget
Posted in Money, Politics
Barack Obama to Visit Australia – Mr Obama is due to arrive in Canberra this afternoon (AEDT) for a two-day Australia visit to update the 60-year-old security alliance for a new century marked by the rise of China. The visit is expected to include an announcement on new basing and supply arrangements for US forces, [...]
Tags: Australia, barack obama
Posted in Politics
Arab League Issues Warning to Syria – Syria has been told it will be suspended from the Arab League – and faces the threat of sanctions in the Arab world – if it does not agree to end its bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters. The vote in Cairo took place after Syria had failed to [...]
Tags: arab league, Syria
Posted in Politics, World
Italian Prime Minister Resigns – A chorus of Handel’s Alleluia, performed by a few dozen singers and classical musicians, rang out in front of the president’s palace as thousands of Italians poured into downtown Rome on Saturday to rejoice at the end of Berlusconi’s scandal-marred reign. Hecklers shouted “Buffoon, Buffoon!” as Berlusconi’s motorcade entered and [...]
Tags: italy, silvio berlusconi
Posted in Politics, World
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