Julia Gillard unveils $1 billion jobs creation plan

[not_an_eloi]

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has made a pitch to blue-collar workers, unveiling details of the Government's new $1 billion jobs package.

The legislation is designed to improve the benefits Australian companies see from large-scale projects undertaken in the country. Ms Gillard says concerns have been raised that major projects undertaken by multi-nationals tend to lean towards using international suppliers and importing material and equipment.

Under the plan, large companies will be required by law to give local firms the opportunity to bid for contracts before they are sent offshore. "When there are projects worth more than $500 million, they will need to have an Australian industry participation plan," Ms Gillard told a press conference in Melbourne. "They will need to look to how they can involve Australian businesses and create Australian jobs in what they do." Ms Gillard says the plan is designed to keep the local manufacturing industry competitive despite the high Australian dollar and other economic pressures. "I believe that modern Australia can have a great blue-collar future," she said. "We can continue to be a manufacturing nation, we can be a nation in which people make their living through blue-collar jobs that aren't intermittent or insecure or low paid, blue-collar jobs that are highly skilled and highly paid. "But we aren't going to get there by accident. We have to make sure that we shape that future."

A series of new manufacturing precincts will also be established to develop new products and skills to break into new markets. Industry and Innovation Minister Greg Combet says the precincts are a key part of the plan. "A lot of our research effort in Australia is pure research and a lot of great research has been done," he said. "But we don't perform well by international comparisons in commercialising the research effort that we make in this country. "And I think one solution to that is to get industry far more active in directing the research effort we have." The Government predicts the plan will inject $1.6 billion into the economy. Ms Gillard says the plan will be funded by removing a tax concession for big businesses. "Bigger businesses currently benefiting for a special research and development tax advantage will be forgoing that advantage," she said. The national secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, Paul Bastian, says the jobs package largely reflects what it has been campaigning for. "We're now going to have in legislation that any project worth more than $500 million in this country will be required to have an Australian industry participation plan to show how those projects are giving our manufacturers the opportunity to bid on a fair and reasonable basis for work," he said. "That is a big tick for us."

followed by the usual negative fud from liberal's mirabella

[shinynewid]

Do centrelink issue tax file numbers now ? 

[purple_haize]

Well I dont knowo whether the majority do or dont live at home 

i would guess that a majority of students might but those simply unempoloyed 

might be a different percentage m,aybe not the 16-18 year olds but certainly those over 18 years old 

the fact remains , the benefit is paid direct to the claimant ( the child ) 

not to any parent , so there is no signing over from oarent to child 

if it were paid to the parent it would form art of the parents taxable income 

its not , it is rightfully counted as the recipients taxable income 

and also as I said those that live at home should pay a good percentage of it as board 

My stepson lives at home with his mother and stepfather, as far as I can work out, he pays nothing towards his board with any of the money he gets, infact most of the money is gone within 2 days of getting it...........

[nevynreally]

Well I dont knowo whether the majority do or dont live at home 

i would guess that a majority of students might but those simply unempoloyed 

might be a different percentage m,aybe not the 16-18 year olds but certainly those over 18 years old 

the fact remains , the benefit is paid direct to the claimant ( the child ) 

not to any parent , so there is no signing over from oarent to child 

if it were paid to the parent it would form art of the parents taxable income 

its not , it is rightfully counted as the recipients taxable income 

and also as I said those that live at home should pay a good percentage of it as board 

Firstly, the benefit is only paid directly to the child if the parent agrees with it.  The recipient of the YA needs to fill in the parents financial details. Parent doesn't have to. 

Secondly, not all dependents need YA in order to still attend school. Nor do they have to work to do so.

Thirdly, as I stated previously, some allow their children to use this government benefit as pocket money. Perhaps that's hard to understand if you haven't experienced that yourself. I have, and  was disgusted that these people were taking tax money when they didn't need it.

[freakiness]

Yes I know it's means tested. Perhaps that's something they need to look at. 

This is not about your children or mine. We were discussing those who think it's okay for their children to use YA as their pocket money. That is not what it's for.

That would depend how you define pocket money.

I did not charge board but expected them to go to the supermarket and buy food and personal items and spend it as needed.

[purple_haize]

Do centrelink issue tax file numbers now ? 

Centrelink have never issued tax file numbers.

The Tax office does that.

[izabsmiling]

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/spw/customer/publications/resources/fpr084/fpr084-1107en.pdf

Changes to Family Tax
Benefit Part A and
Youth Allowance

From 1 January 2012, Family Tax Benefit Part A will
increase for dependent 16 to 19 year olds who are
undertaking full-time secondary study. The maximum
rate will increase by up to $161.42 per child per
fortnight, to $214.06.
Also from 1 January 2012, children under 18 years old
who are living at home and undertaking full-time secondary
study will generally no longer be eligible to start receiving
Youth Allowance unless they:
• meet the independence criteria, or
• are eligible for the away from home rate of payment.

Will these changes affect me?
You may be affected if you are a dependent child living at
home and:
• are at least 16 years old, and
• have not turned 19 years old by 1 January 2012, and
• are in full-time secondary study.
If you are receiving Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY, you can
choose to stop your payment and let your parent(s) or
guardian(s) claim Family Tax Benefit to take advantage of
the increased rate.

What is Family Tax Benefit
Part A?
Family Tax Benefit Part A helps families with the cost
of raising children. Subject to an income test, it is paid
to parents or guardians for dependent children and
dependent full-time students under 22 years old who are
not receiving Youth Allowance or similar payments like
ABSTUDY or Veterans’ Children Education Supplement.
While you are dependent and in full-time secondary study,
your income will not affect the rate of Family Tax Benefit
Part A your family can receive.

[freakiness]

Well I dont knowo whether the majority do or dont live at home 

i would guess that a majority of students might but those simply unempoloyed 

might be a different percentage m,aybe not the 16-18 year olds but certainly those over 18 years old 

the fact remains , the benefit is paid direct to the claimant ( the child ) 

not to any parent , so there is no signing over from oarent to child 

if it were paid to the parent it would form art of the parents taxable income 

its not , it is rightfully counted as the recipients taxable income 

and also as I said those that live at home should pay a good percentage of it as board 

When they turned 16 and changed over to YA I did have to sign permission for it to go to them. At 18 it automatically goes to them.

Better they learn how to budget with so called pocket money than try later with wages.

[nevynreally]

I'm glad they changed it.

If you're 16 and want luxuries, go get a job and pay for it yourself.

[freakiness]

Do centrelink issue tax file numbers now ? 

Not to my knowledge

[nevynreally]

When they turned 16 and changed over to YA I did have to sign permission for it to go to them. At 18 it automatically goes to them.

Better they learn how to budget with so called pocket money than try later with wages.

Seriously, you couldn't teach them before that? Youth Allowance is not supposed to be a budgeting teaching tool for lazy parents.