Colin Brinsden, AAP Economics and Business Correspondent
(Australian Associated Press)

Millions of Australians will be worse off when a tax stimulus measure finishes at the end of this financial year.

The $1080 low and middle income tax offset (LMITO), which benefits people with a taxable income of between $48,000 and $90,000, is due to end in June.

Analysts at the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre estimate some 3.4 million taxpayers will lose out from its removal, 50 per cent of whom will be women.

The LMITO, which is claimable when people submit their tax return, was due to end in the 2019/20 financial year.

But it was subsequently extended as a stimulus measure in the last budget when a series of other personal income tax changes were also introduced.

Bankwest Curtin analysts say the removal of the LMITO effectively cancels out the benefits of these changes to tax thresholds for $48,000-$90,000 earners, making them no better off than they were in 2019/20.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is due to hand down his 2021/22 budget on May 11.

Whether Mr Frydenberg has a change of heart over the LMITO remains to be seen.

"The government doesn't comment on budget speculation," a spokesperson for the treasurer told AAP.

A survey by the Australian Financial Review found 61 per cent of the 530 people polled believed the treasurer should be focused on stimulating the economy, while 31 per cent say he should be repairing the budget.

Economists expect the budget will be in a far better shape than predicted just a few months ago given the boost to revenues from a much stronger than expected economy, sharply lower unemployment and rising commodity prices.

In the mid-year budget review released in December a $197.7 billion budget deficit was forecast for the 2020/21 financial year and a $108.5 billion deficit for 2021/22.

AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver believes the deficit could now be $125 billion for 2020/21 and around $50 billion 2021/22.

In the government's most recent monthly financial accounts, it showed the deficit for the 2020/21 financial year to February was $134.6 billion, $23.1 billion smaller than had been anticipated after eight months.

Notably, the iron price struck a 10-year high of $US178 per tonne on Friday compared with $US55 per tonne assumed at the time of the mid-year budget review.

As a rule of thumb, for every $US1 rise in the price of iron ore, the government gains $A250 million in revenue a year.

Daniel McCulloch
(Australian Associated Press)

Aged care consumer groups have challenged the Morrison government to deliver urgent reforms to the trouble-plagued sector.

Providers have also outlined a 15-point plan to quickly improve the aged care system.

In their formal response to the aged care royal commission, advocacy groups have outlined a handful of key changes they want to see implemented in the upcoming federal budget.

They want to see an aged care system that treats older people with respect, ensures greater control over their support and delivers appropriate, safe and timely services at a fair price.

Ian Yates from the Council on the Ageing said the reform package should be implemented within the next 12 to 18 months.

"The last thing Australians deserve is the government kicking the can down the road on many of the key changes we need," he said on Monday.

"The government cannot get away with cherry picking a few recommendations now but saying it will consider the rest later."

The groups want stronger governance, integrity and accountability in the aged care sector with more funding, quality control and consumer influence in the system.The

y have recommended setting up an implementation task force with an independent chair and senior government officials to drive the reforms.

"In the coming year, the Morrison government can give older Australians more choice, control and transparency in aged care than they have ever been allowed before," Mr Yates said.

"We recognise the government faces significant challenges in implementing the royal commission's recommendations in full, including the need for major budget funding and a major increase in workforce, but these must be met.

"This is Australia's 'line in the sand' moment for giving us the aged care system we deserve and expect."

Patricia Sparrow from Australian Aged Care Collaboration, which represents more than 1000 providers, said an overhaul of the sector was urgently needed.

"If we are to set up our aged care system to guarantee all older Australians the respect and dignity they deserve we need a total overhaul of the funding model and workforce strategy, not more fiddling at the edges," she said.

Ms Sparrow said broad and ambitious reforms were required.

"As part of this big picture reform we must see the critical aged care workforce grow and be well supported through better pay, conditions and training," she said.

KEY DEMANDS OF CONSUMER GROUPS

* Increased transparency for aged care providers

* Minimum staffing levels

* Wage increases for workers

* Stronger powers for the independent regulator

* A new rights-based aged care act

Money and Life
(Financial Planning Association of Australia)

For many reasons, women face additional hurdles when it comes to achieving financial freedom. So it's important to take control of your finances now, and be proactive when it comes to planning your financial future.

Ladies, it's time for a reality check. The unfortunate truth is that women experience low-income and poverty at a much higher rate than men. In fact, up to 40 per cent of older, single, retired women now live in poverty, according to not-for-profit foundation Women In Super.

There are many reasons why women end up with less later in life, but it largely comes down to structural and systemic issues. The so called gender pay gap, super gap, wealth gap, investing gap, time spent on unpaid work and the 'pink tax' all play a role.

Luckily, it's not all bad news. Flourix Wealth principal advisor Rachel O'Connor says with a little knowhow, women can take control of their finances and overcome some of the well-known financial traps.

"While keeping up pressure to close the gap is important, women can't afford to wait for the world to change," Ms O'Connor says. "We need to take things into our own hands and make sure we're managing our finances to minimise the impact of this on us personally."

The shocking statistics

In case you're in any doubt about the seriousness of the issue, consider that women retire with 47 per cent less superannuation than men, yet live five years longer on average.

Why is that the case? Here are some of the key drivers behind the gap:

• Women spend an average five-years out of the workforce to care for children and other family members, missing out on income, promotions and superannuation payments.
• They're more likely to work part time (43%), spending five-hours more per day caring for children than men.
• Even when women do work full-time, they earn 18 per cent less than men. Sometimes for the same job.
• Female graduates earn $5,000 less than their male counterparts, again, sometimes for the same job.
• Yet the 'pink tax' means that women pay seven per cent more across the board, on items ranging from clothing and personal care products to pens and kid's toys.
• Finally, women are more likely to dip into their own savings when things go wrong in a relationship, choosing to provide for their family while neglecting their own retirement.

It's little wonder that women over 55 are considered the fastest growing homeless demographic in Australia.

So what can you do about it?

Plenty, according to Ms O'Connor, who says it's essential to have proper planning, investment and protection strategies in play.

"One element is being aggressive with your strategies, for example setting stretch goals for saving and investing in growth assets. Other aspects include mitigating risk, so that a setback doesn't make an already challenging situation impossible.

Supercharge your super

One of the best ways to save for the future is through your superannuation fund, due to the associated tax benefits. But not just any strategy will do. Women need a tailored approach to ensure their money lasts as long as possible.

Ms O'Connor says one of the biggest contributors to the super gap is career breaks, whether it's for family or other reasons, such as returning to study, change careers or travel.

"Making voluntary super contributions before you leave the workforce will give you a head start and help reduce the impact of a break in your career," she says.

"Many employers will allow you to salary sacrifice a bit more of your pay into super, which can increase your balance and also reduce your tax. This can be a great way to take control of the situation and ensure that you aren't falling victim to these gaps."

If your income has dropped due to unpaid leave or part-time work, you may qualify for the government super co-contribution. Or, if you have a spouse, they may qualify for a tax offset if they contribute to your super while your income is low. Another option is contribution splitting, where up to 85 per cent of your spouse's super is transferred to you each year to even up your balances. Speak with a financial planner to find out what's the best option for you.

Invest with purpose

While having a strong savings plan is important, you may also need to take a proactive approach to investment to reach your goals.

"Investing, even a small amount, whether in your own name or via extra super contributions is a good place to start," Ms O'Connor says. "Many online investment platforms enable you to start with a very low balance (though be sure you know what fees you're paying, because this can eat into the returns pretty quickly on lower balances)."

And it's never too early, or too late, to start.

"The strategies you adopt and the areas you focus on are likely to differ depending on your age, but the end goal will be the same. To increase your financial freedom and security."

Insurance

Once you're on track to building your financial nest egg, it's important to have the right protection strategies in place. That includes adequate insurance and an emergency fund of at least three month's living expenses.

"Illness and injury can totally derail your financial plans, so it's really important to consider what you and your family will need to stay afloat should the worse occur," Ms O'Connor says.

"Insurance can be structured to be relatively cheap depending on your circumstances. It can be similar to the cost of your mobile phone bill each month depending on a number of factors."

Starting young

Creating a better financial future for all women means we need to start early, by teaching our girls money management tools and techniques that will help them overcome these hurdles.

Start a savings plan early and look into online investment platforms offering 'children's accounts'.

"These can be a great way for kids to start learning about investing," Ms O'Connor says. "They can start with relatively small amounts and watch their money grow using the app. Due to compound interest, starting early could give our girls a serious head start."

Make sure to do your research thoroughly before signing up, as fees can quickly eat into low account balances. Look for accounts that are fee-free for those under-18.

Perhaps the most important thing women can do to reach their financial goals is get expert financial advice. A financial planning professional can give you advice on the best superannuation and investment strategies, as well as which insurance/s you'll need, to reach your financial goals sooner.

Marion Rae
(Australian Associated Press)

Superannuation laws due to take effect in less than 90 days are a $3 trillion concern for the superannuation industry and consumer advocates.

Martin Fahy, chief executive of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, wants the introduction of the laws delayed until July 2022.

He also wants the proposed performance test watered down into a two-year "trial run".

Super Consumers Australia director Xavier O'Halloran agrees the proposed bill needs work but warns delay will hurt consumers.

"For too long trustees have been left alone in the dark with our money," Mr O'Halloran told a parliamentary inquiry on Wednesday.

"Australia's superannuation system must move to a model which does more to ensure all people have a single, high-performing superannuation fund."

Under the new laws, underperforming funds will be cut off from new members and required by the prudential regulator to shape up or exit the market.

But the proposed performance test covers investment performance and not costly administration fees.

This approach will turn up the heat on underperforming fund managers, but does little to target inefficiently administered funds, Super Consumers Australia said.

Multiple accounts are also a target for lawmakers as savings can get lost and workers can be assigned to a default fund that might turn out to be a dud.

The new laws should create a "best in show" model where people get the information needed to select a fund when they enter the workforce, Mr O'Halloran said.

There are 850,000 unintended multiple accounts created each year, and holding multiple accounts can reduce a typical worker's balance by $51,000.

Underperforming products can reduce a typical member's balance by more than $500,000 by the time they retire.

But Dr Fahy said the July 1 start date will place an "enormous burden" on employers to manage the changes, including the transition to one default account for workers.

He said the bill should not be passed until the draft regulations that detail how it will work are available.

Scott Donald, director of the Centre for Law, Markets and Regulation at the University of NSW, is also concerned about the lack of detail and loose wording for "ministerial discretion".

He said investment managers won't be able to determine what will fall foul of the new laws.

Colin Brinsden, AAP Economics and Business Correspondent
(Australian Associated Press)

Treasury chief Steven Kennedy believes few countries have experienced what Australia has achieved in responding to last year's recession relatively good health outcomes, smaller economic impacts and now, rapid recovery.

"By any measure, Australian governments have struck the right balance," Dr Kennedy told senators in Canberra.

"Our outcomes have been world leading, both in the health and the economic sphere."

He said the economy has now recovered 85 per cent of the decline from its pre-COVID level of output.

"Growth will now begin to moderate as we move past the initial phase of the recovery," he told a Senate estimates hearing on Wednesday.

"While the economy is recovering strongly, well supported by fiscal and monetary policy settings, we are well below our pre-pandemic economic growth path and it will take some time to fully recover."

He said the peak in unemployment now appears to have passed following strong employment gains in recent months.

In the mid-year budget review released in December, Treasury had predicted the unemployment peaking at 7.5 per cent in the March quarter.

Instead, the unemployment rate has steadily fallen, dropping to 5.8 per cent in February.

"Nonetheless, while outcomes to date have tended to surprise on the upside, there is still significant spare capacity in the labour market," Dr Kennedy said.

New figures show there remains strong demand to hire staff with job advertisements posted on the internet jumping by a further seven per cent in February to be 24.8 per cent over the year.

This is the 10th straight month job ads, as compiled by the National Skills Commission, have risen after striking a record low in April 2020 and the depths of last year's recession.

Job ads grew in all eight broad occupational groups monitored by the commission and recruitment activity increased across all states and territories.

But Dr Kennedy expects the number of people defined as being in long-term unemployment those who have been looking for, but been without, paid work for a year or more will jump in coming months.

"This reflects the flow-on impacts of the spike in unemployment at the onset of the crisis in March and April last year," he said.

Meanwhile, Australia recorded its third consecutive goods trade surplus above $8 billion for the first time in history.

Preliminary trade figures show exports grew by two per cent in February, buoyed by a record $1.3 billion of cereals exports, which helped offset a 12 per cent decline in iron ore shipments to China.

Imports also grew by two per cent, led by a 24 per cent increase road vehicle inbound shipments.