Over the past 12 years, 96 tax-related measures have been
announced by former governments which have not been legislated.
These outstanding tax measures have created uncertainty for
taxpayers, of varying degrees. Where a tax measure has not been
implemented, taxpayers have needed to decide whether they will
arrange their tax affairs based on an announced measure or based on
existing tax legislation. This uncertainty is exacerbated in
circumstances where either the announced measure is intended to
apply retrospectively, or where the measure was intended to apply
prospectively but the intended commencement date has long since
passed.
In a joint media release issued on Wednesday, 6 November 2013,
Treasurer Joe Hockey and Assistant Treasurer Arthur Sinodinos
outlined the Government's intentions in relation to 92 of these
measures.