23 October 2013 "Every area of government will be examined. There are no restrictions." says treasurer Joe Hockey Details of the National Commission of Audit foreshadowed by the Abbott government have been announced by treasurer Joe Hockey and finance minister Senator Matthias Cormann. The commission's terms of reference provide for a sweeping review of government functions, activities and spending and will be chaired by Business Council of Australia (BCA) president Tony Shephard. The secretariat will also be headed by a BCA operative. Privatisations and Commonwealth asset sales are clearly set for examination, even though Cormann refused to speculate what these may be … [Read more...]