Interpac Business and Migration Solutions Melbourne Australia

（March 14,2012）
THE Labor caucus has debated whether laws governing trusts are tough enough to stop them from being used for tax minimisation, as a high-profile case involving mining magnate Gina Rinehart continues before the courts.

Labor senator Doug Cameron quizzed Treasurer Wayne Swan on the issue at a caucus meeting in Canberra today.

The question comes as the three oldest children of Ms Rinehart continue NSW Supreme Court proceedings against her over a family trust.

Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce and Liberal MP Alby Schultz both wrote letters to the children asking them not to pursue legal action.

Senator Cameron asked the treasurer whether laws governing trusts were tough enough to prevent tax minimisation and if Mr Swan felt the intervention by Senator Joyce and Mr Schultz was appropriate.

Mr Swan told caucus he had trouble seeing what legitimate interest Senator Joyce and Mr Schultz had in intervening in the matter.

But he said any examination of tax arrangements were a matter for the independent tax commissioner.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Julia Gillard told the caucus that in the lead-up to the May budget the economy would be the critical issue.

She said some areas of the economy were struggling due to the high dollar but Australia was doing well compared with other parts of the world.

It was important for all MPs to talk about how the Government will help families in coming months through tax cuts and increased payments, she said.

She said the Opposition should not be allowed to get away with saying that it would set up a government department audit commission to find budget savings if it won government, describing it as a plan for "secret cuts".

Addressing defence issues, the Prime Minister said the shooting of Afghanistan civilians by a rogue US soldier was "distressing" and more effort would be needed to explain to the Australian community why the Afghanistan mission remained important.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith was applauded by caucus when he spoke about his handling of the recent reports into incidents at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

He said he made no apology for protecting the interests of the 18-year-old woman at the centre of one investigation, nor for his statement that it was inappropriate for defence officials to question the character of the woman given her difficult situation at the time.

The caucus was also told the House of Representatives and Senate's sitting times could be extended next week to deal with major legislation, including the mining profits tax bills.

Labor members elected Canberra MP Gai Brodtmann as the new caucus secretary, replacing Nick Champion who quit before backing Kevin Rudd for the leadership.
（source：theaustralian）

（March 13,2012）
LAWYERS of the world look to America as to a beacon, a shining courtroom on a hill, populated with a citizenry well aware of their manifest destiny and willing to sue the pants off anyone who stands in their way. What France is to pastry chefs, so the United States has been to generations of litigators.

Yet this particular American dream may now be over. The legal industry has shrunk and thousands of young graduates who entered law school in the hope of a secure income are struggling to find work. Needless to say, some of them are taking legal action.
（source：theaustralian）