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Occasional Newsletter
No. 4 of 2010
24 July 2010
in this issue
Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)...
Political Parties
Media Coverage
Georgetown University – Australian Election Preview
Diplomatic Appointment
Taxation
Superannuation
CPA Australia website
From the Editor
The primary purpose of this issue of the Newsletter is to identify websites which will assist you in keeping abreast of developments during the Australian federal election campaign.
We hope you find the other articles also of interest and look forward to receiving your feedback.
Regards
John (Sid) MacGregor
editor@southern–cross–group.org
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Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)
The responsibility for running the federal election on 21 August 2010 lies with the Australian Electoral Commission. Its website contains all the information and advice that you need to know about the procedures that will be followed. There is a link which leads to information for people from non–English speaking backgrounds.
If you want to telephone the AEC from outside Australia the telephone number is
+61 2 6271 4411.
The nomination of candidates closes at 12.00 noon on Thursday 29 July. The formal declaration of the candidates by the AEC will occur at 12.00 noon on Friday 30 July. Ballot papers cannot be prepared until after the formal declaration.
Postal Voting
If you are unable attend a polling place to cast your vote, then you may apply for a postal vote. The AEC has established a web page which contains the pertinent information about applying for and lodging a postal vote. It contains a link to a downloadable application form.
You can apply for a postal vote now.
The closing time for the lodging of postal vote applications is 6.00pm on Thursday 19 August. But overseas voters will appreciate that, given the time required for mail to flow through postal systems and the long postal delays in some countries, it would be unrealistic to expect to receive a ballot paper if applications are left to a late stage.
Postal vote applications can be lodged by mail, fax or E–mail.
If you are overseas you will need to return your application form to the nearest overseas polling place.
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Political Parties
The political parties that currently have members in the Australian Parliament each maintain a website:
Australian Labor Party (ALP)
Liberal Party of Australia
National Party of Australia
The Greens
Family First
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Media Coverage
A number of the media sites have established pages devoted to the 2010 election.
ABC Online – Australia Votes
SBS – Vote 2010
Channel 10 – Election 2010
The Age – Decision 2010
Sydney Morning Herald – Decision 2010
Courier Mail – Election 2010
The Australian – Election 2010
Adelaide Advertiser – Federal Election 2010
West Australian – Election 2010
NT News – Election 2010
Sites without a dedicated election page:
The Canberra Times
The Hobart Mercury
Channel 9
Channel 7
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Georgetown University – Australian Election Preview
Those of you in the Washington DC area may be interested in attending this event at the University on 4 August 2010.
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Diplomatic Appointment
Federal Republic of Nigeria, with responsibility also for relations with Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Niger, Republic of the Congo, and The Gambia.
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Taxation
SCG Note
All we are seeking to do in regard to taxation matters is to make you aware of some of the issues that may affect you. It is for you to do your own research and make your own decisions about the issues.
We are not qualified or competent to provide personal advice on the matters we identify, nor are we able to respond to any queries you may have.
For those who would like to do their own browsing on tax information, the ATO website is www.ato.gov.au .
Australia – India Tax Treaty
On 15 July 2010 the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, announced that Australia and India will shortly commence discussions to update their existing tax treaty. He has invited interested parties to provide comments on how the 1991 Australia–India treaty might be enhanced to better reflect the needs of individuals and businesses. Written submissions are sought by 13 August 2010. Treasury instructions on how to make a submission are available. See the current agreement on the Australian Treaty Series website.
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Superannuation
SCG Note
All we are seeking to do in regard to superannuation matters is to make you aware of some of the issues that may affect you. It is for you to do your own research and make your own decisions about the issues.
We are not qualified or competent to provide personal advice on the matters we identify, nor are we able to respond to any queries you may have.
ATO
For those wishing to do their own research on superannuation matters the relevant Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website is http://www.ato.gov.au/superfunds/
Information currently available on the ATO website includes:
Super co–contributions
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)
Issue 1 of 2010 of APRA's Insight report provides quite a bit of information about the performance of the superannuation and insurance industries in Australia over recent times.
Drawdown Relief for Self Funded Retirees
On 30 June 2010 the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, announced that the Government will continue to support self–funded retirees by extending the drawdown relief provided in 2008–09 and 2009–10 for account–based superannuation pensions to the 2010–11 year. It seems that the necessary Regulations to put this into effect were not made before the election was called.
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CPA Australia website
Those with an interest in accounting matters may care to have a look at the website of the Australian accounting body CPA Australia.
Information available includes:
Superannuation Guide: 2010 – 2011
Tax and Social Security Guide: 2010 – 2011
Skilled Migration Program – General Information
Migration Assessment of Accounting Qualifications – How to apply
Migration Assessment – FAQs
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