Empower Blog Government Regulation

Lending Laws Now Consistent Across the Board

The start of the 2011-12 financial year saw the new National Consumer Credit Protection (NCCP) laws take effect for banks and other lending institutions along with brokers.  The laws for brokers came into effect 1st January 2011.  This now provides consumers with greater protection from unscrupulous lending practices that may have occurred in the...

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New Finance Licensing Laws

In an effort to better regulate lending in this country the Federal Government introduced new legislation known as the National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment Act 2010.  This new legislation is designed to make borrowing money safer for consumers, through the implementation of new safeguards for borrowers.  Prior to this new legislation, ea...

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What is NRAS?

The National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) is a long term commitment by the Australian Government to invest in affordable rental housing. The Scheme seeks to address the shortage of affordable rental housing by offering financial incentives to the business sector and community organisations to build and rent dwellings to low and moderate incom...

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Negative Gearing to Continue..

With Labor now running the country for the next few years it’s nice to know that they stated at the National Press Club debate, that they will not be touching negative gearing. Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) president David Airey was pleased with this announcement.  "This is fantastic news for renters, affordable housing and real e...

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Owners Corporations…..

Body Corps’ as they used to be known are important entities with important responsibilities. The Owners Corporations Act 2006 [the Act] commenced on 31 December 2007. The new regulatory regime aims to improve transparency and financial accountability in the management of owners’ corporations, as well as new dispute resolution provisions. ...

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Negative Gearing – Worth Keeping

It has been well documented that currently the federal government is conducting a full review of the taxation system, tagged as the ‘Henry Review’. As part of this review the government has called on public submissions to assist in this review. These submissions provide State Governments, Community Groups,  Business Interest groups etc the...

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