POLITICS & POLICY

Budget 2014: Shorten Says New Budget to Take $120/Week Away from Average Family Budget for 2 Years; Dares Abbott to Call an Election

Tony Abbott
Labor leader Bill Shorten has vowed on Thursday to block key measures of the 2014-15 federal budget proposed by the Coalition government. In opposing the document, Shorten pointed out because of some provisions such as the deficit tax, higher fuel excise and $7 co-pay per visit to the GP, it would take away about $120 a week from the average family budget for the next two years.
New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key Smiles After the General Election in Auckland.

New Zealand Spy Agency Trained by NSA in Mass Surveillance; PM John Key Refuses to Comment

New Zealand Labour has asked Prime Minister John Key to admit that the country's spy agency has been trained by the U.S. National Security Agency to do mass surveillance. Documents published in a new book revealed that all agencies involved in the Five Eyes Network were trained to operate a sophisticated system that can sift through phone numbers, email addresses and online chat messages.
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Model Karlie Kloss presents a creation by French designer Barbara Bui

$750 Designer Dress of Joe Hockey’s Wife Gets Aussies Notice as Treasurer Asks Nation to Tighten Belt

Ordinarily, politicians' wives are seen as fashion icons that the public wouldn't mind seeing them in expensive dresses or gowns during state functions. Think Jacqueline Kennedy or Michelle Obama who are considered fashion icons and trendsetters of their time. However, that rule would not apply when the event is a budget announcement and the government is asking citizens to tighten its belt, only to find out the wife of the treasurer spent $750 on a designer's dress.

Budget 2014: What it Means to an Ordinary Aussie

Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey delivered the first budget under the government of Prime Minister Tony Abbot on Tuesday night. The treasurer stated that the budget aimed to put a national effort to for the Australians to fix the budget together. So what does the budget means to an ordinary Australian citizen?

Australian Tax Office to Cut 3,000 Jobs

As part of the Abbott government's cost-cutting measures to be announced this week in the budget, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) will axe 3,000 jobs, reports said.

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