Strengthening the Budget and the Economy

We work closely with other Government organisations on tax reform, improved employment outcomes, and economic development policies.

Efficient taxation and financial sector arrangements

Tax reform is at the centre of the Government’s efforts to make Australia a more innovative, productive and prosperous economy.

We are working closely with the Treasury and other agencies to help develop and implement the Government’s tax reform agenda, to encourage investment, economic growth and improved living standards.

We are supporting the implementation of the Government’s response to the Financial Systems Inquiry released on 20 October 2015, to help deliver a financial sector that is resilient, efficient and fair.

G20 involvement

The G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation and decision-making, bringing together 20 of the world’s largest economies. We provide advice and support to the Prime Minister, the Sherpa and other relevant Ministers to facilitate Australia’s international engagement in the G20.

Argentina assumed the Presidency of the G20 on 1 December 2017 after Germany concluded a successful 2017 presidency. You can find the Hamburg G20 Leaders’ Declaration, on the theme of “shaping an interconnected world”, here.

Argentina is the first South American country to host the G20, and will hold 60 meetings of ministers and officials in preparation for the Summit, to be held in Buenos Aires 30 November – 1 December 2018. 2018 also marks the tenth anniversary of the G20 being elevated to a leaders’ forum. The full meeting calendar for 2018 is available here.

Priorities under the Argentinian presidency are: the future of work to ensure everyone benefits from the new technological era; infrastructure for development to boost growth and productivity; and a sustainable food to achieve a sustainable way of increasing agricultural productivity. You can read more about the other issues on Argentina’s G20 agenda here.

The G20 engagement groups are representatives of different civil society stakeholders from the G20 states. They represent the scientific and research community, the private sector and trade unions, women and young people, and non-governmental organizations. They meet in tandem with the G20 and keep up a dialogue with policymakers. You can find out more about the Engagement Groups here.

You can follow the conversation with Australia’s G20 Sherpa, Dr David Gruen, on Twitter @G20Australia and Argentina’s official G20 account @G20org.

Improved employment outcomes

We work closely with the Department of Employment to develop and implement policies and programmes to help Australians find and keep employment in safe, fair and productive workplaces.

We are working with the Department of Employment, the Treasury, and other agencies to ensure the timely implementation of the Government’s Growing Jobs and Small Business Package, announced in the 2015-16 Budget. The package is aimed at creating the right conditions for Australia’s small business to grow and create new jobs, and to assist Australia’s unemployed to access those jobs.

We are supporting the Government’s consideration of the findings of the Royal Commission into Trade Union and Governance (tabled on 30 December 2015), and the Productivity Commission’s review of workplace relations which was publicly released on 21 December 2015.

Regional economic development

Australia’s regions provide much of the nation’s economic prosperity and are areas of great opportunity.

We are working with the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development on creating a new regional development policy  to set out a long term plan for regional Australia.

Supporting investment and economic growth in northern Australia is a key focus. We support the Prime Minister as Chair of the Northern Australia Strategic Partnership, and are working with the Office of Northern Australia on implementing the first ever White Paper on Developing Northern Australia which includes the $5 billion Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.

The Prime Minister also co-chairs the Joint Commonwealth and Tasmanian Economic Council. The Council brings together the Commonwealth and Tasmanian governments with some of Tasmania’s most prominent business people to consider reforms to boost Tasmania’s growth.

Sound fiscal and economic policy

We work closely with Treasury, the Department of Finance and Cabinet Division to coordinate and manage the Commonwealth budget process. This involves providing advice to the Prime Minister on the budget outlook, fiscal strategy and its implementation.

We assist the Government formulate and deliver the annual Budget, by providing advice to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and its committees on the merits and relative priority of proposals under consideration.

We provide advice to the Prime Minister about the economic outlook, current conditions, and key developments within Australia and the broader international community.