Reported leaks from Australia's 2008/09 budget

Excise on pre-mixed alcohol drinks to increase 70 percent, to about A$1.30, effective April 27, to raise about A$500 million a year.

(Health Minister Nicola Roxon, Nine Television, April 27)

Senior ministers are considering plans to deliver direct payments into worker pension funds, and a new multi-billion investment fund to bankroll infrastructure projects.

(The Age, March 26).

Government promises to deliver its election commitment of personal tax cuts from July 1, 2008, worth A$31 billion over three years, saying the tax reforms are an incentive which will add 2.5 million additional work hours to the economy each week.

(Treasurer Wayne Swan business speech, Feb. 26)

Tax cut laws pass the House of Representatives on March 12, but remain under consideration in the upper house Senate. The tax cuts will cost A$7.1 billion in 2008/09, A$9.8 billion in 2009/10, and A$13.9 billion in 2010/11.

HEALTH

The government will curb the health surcharge paid by people who do not have health insurance, substantially increasing the income a person can earn before they have to pay the tax.