Important Notice
From 12 December 2007, the
‘Know Your Client’ (KYC) requirements of
the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter
Terrorism Financing Act (AML/CTF
Act) require designated service providers
(which includes financial advisers and
product providers) to collect and verify
clients’ identification (ID) information.
The purpose of the AML/CTF
Act is to monitor financial transactions and
to capture client information in a way that
will help detect and prevent money
laundering and terrorism financing.
At this stage there is no
consistent policy in place for the fund
management industry. Some fund managers may
not accept any new business without the
investor's identity being verified, whilst
others are using a transition period to
implement the new regulations. As a result
additional identification documents may need
to be provided with investment applications.
Investors should check the instructions for
completing application forms and any
identity document requirements provided in
the product disclosure statement.
The complete AML/CTF form for
individuals can be downloaded by
here.
Dec 2007
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ASIC takes action and warns against non-compliant offshore investments
ASIC has issued a warning to Australian investors about investing in offshore financial products that do not comply with local requirements.
The warning follows recent advertisements by
a New Zealand company, Asset Finance Ltd, in
the Australian press offering investment
opportunities with returns in the range of
9.75 to 12 per cent per annum for debenture
stocks....
Oct 2007
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The biggest reform to Australian superannuation ever. Starts 01 July, 2007
The Australian Government has introduced the biggest reform to superannuation ever. From 1 July 2007, the Better Super changes will give Australians the opportunity to improve their lifestyle in retirement. The reforms will ensure.....
Aug 2007
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Property Update - How to profit from a
property upturn, without owning a property
If you want to take advantage of a
possible recovery in the NSW housing market,
yet the thought of taking out a crippling housing
investment loan has been stopping you, there
just might be another way forward worth
considering.
ASX listed property developers are
increasingly becoming a rare breed with many
transforming their businesses into property trusts
and fund managers. Very few remain that focus
exclusively on property development.
Aug 2007
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Market Overview - The Australian Abalone Industry
Australian abalone fisheries are managed by quota systems, and have
been described as one of the last sustainable wild abalone fisheries
in the world. The development of abalone aquaculture in Australia
has trended towards the development of land based systems to allow
total control over growing systems compared to conventional sea
based systems that are more potentially subject to climatic
extremes.
Nov 2006
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Market Overview - The Australian Almond Industry
Australia is very well suited to the production of almonds with Australian
almonds regarded highly overseas. This is due primarily to the large size,
flavour, light colour and consistent quality of nut produced.
Feb 2007
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Market Overview - The Australian Avocado Industry
In Australia, there are more than 70 avocado varieties of which Hass,
Reed, Sharwill, Fuerte, Shepard and Wurtz dominate. The majority of
avocados produced in Australia are sold as a fresh whole fruit, with the
balance used as pulped avocado and avocado oil.
Nov 2006
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Market Overview - The Australian Beef Cattle Industry
Beef and Veal continued to be Australia’s most important agricultural
commodity with a gross value of production of more than $7.4 billion in
2005/06. Around 2/3 of the beef produced in Australia is sold on
international markets.
Jan 2007
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Market Overview - The Australian Chicken Meat Industry
Unlike most other rural industries in Australia, the chicken meat industry is
dominated by a handful of large, vertically integrated companies which
own almost all aspects of production including breeding farms, hatcheries,
feed mills and processing plants. Three of these companies – Inghams
Enterprise, Bartter Enterprises and Baiada – operate in at least three
states each and supply about 80% of Australia’s broiler chickens.
Nov 2006
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Market Overview - The Australian
Citrus Fruit Industry
The introduction of citrus plants into Australia with the First Fleet in 1788
formed the foundation of today’s national citrus industry. Australia’s
diverse climate is ideal for the production of a large range of quality citrus
varieties including oranges, mandarins, lemons, limes and grapefruit.
Citrus is Australia’s second largest horticultural industry, covering
approximately 30,000 ha across Australia. Citrus is Australia’s largest
fresh fruit exporting industry.
Jan 2007
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Market Overview - The Australian Dairy Industry
The Australian dairy industry is one of the most competitive and efficient
dairy industries in the world. In 2005/06 there were 8,844 dairy farms
producing about 10 billion litres of milk each year from a herd of just less
than 2 million milking cows.
May 2007
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Market Overview - The Australian
Lamb Industry
Lamb meat production is often taken in conjunction with wool production
and is consequently influenced by factors affecting the wool industry.
Historically wool production has been the driver behind the Australian
sheep industry; however meat production is becoming an increasingly
significant driver of developments within the industry.
Jan 2007
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Market Overview - The Australian Mango Industry
The mango originated in North Eastern India and Burma, where it was one
of the first fruits to be cultivated by man. Today, mangoes (Mangifera
indica) are the second largest tropical fruit crop in the world, second only
to bananas by total volume grown. The fruit also has cultural and religious
significance in several countries, including India where designs of the fruit
are found in Buddhist and Hindu temples.
Dec 2006
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Market Overview - The Australian
Olive Industry
There is masses of evidence to suggest that the olive has many
associated health benefits, as well as a being a source of mono-saturated
fat. Olives are also a source of antioxidants helping to protect against
damage from free radicals and the formation of cancers. They are also
said to help lower blood pressure, preventing or delaying the onset of
diabetes and bolster the immune system. Consuming olive oil has also
been linked to averting osteoporosis and memory loss and has also been
found to prevent the skin from ageing.
Nov 2006
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Market Overview - The Australian Sandalwood Industry
Sandalwood timber is a generic term for the Santalum genus, of which 29
tropical and sub-tropical species are known across the world. Six species
of Sandalwood grow naturally throughout Australia and of these only
Western Australian Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum), that is native to
Western Australia and to a minor degree it’s closely related North
Queensland species Bush Plum (S. lanceolatum) are grown for
commercial use.
Nov 2006
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Market Overview - The Australian
Softwood Plantation Industry
With few types of softwood native to Australia, the majority of Australia’s
softwoods are imported tree species grown in plantations across all states.
Softwoods generally come from coniferous and needle-leaved trees, with
the term ‘softwood’ referring to the botanical classification, not the actual
hardness of the wood.
May 2007
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Market Overview - The Australian Strawberry Industry
The Australian strawberry industry has grown steadily over the previous
five years and according to the Victorian Strawberry Industry the outlook
remains optimistic. Currently there are 40,000 tonnes produced
annually, with a total value of $200 million.
Oct 2006
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Market Overview - The Australian
Teak Industry
Teak (Tectona grandis) has been used for around 2000 years throughout
the world due to its attractive, strong, durable, minimal shrinkage, easily
workable and relatively light weight properties. Teak is a sought after
tropical hardwood used for shipbuilding, furniture, flooring, panelling and
fixtures and is commonly considered to be the world’s most versatile,
durable and valuable hardwood.
Jan 2007
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Market Overview - The Australian
Truffle Industry
French black truffles are considered one the great foods of the world. The
French black truffle is a fruiting body of the fungus Tuber melanosporum.
This fungus forms a symbiotic relationship with the roots of oak and hazel
trees. Truffles are found just below the soil surface to a depth of 20cm
and vary in size from 2cm in diameter to the size of a grapefruit. Specially
trained dogs (and pigs) are used to search for the truffles. The edible
portion, or truffle, is harvested in winter once it has matured.
Oct 2006
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Market Overview - The Australian Walnut Industry
Ideally suited to a Mediterranean-type climate, walnuts will grow in many
parts of southern Australia. In addition to this, Australia has the
advantage of fewer walnut pests and diseases and cleaner air and water
than other producing countries. Walnuts require a cold period of between
600 and 800 hours below 10°C during winter and a frost free period during
flowering.
Mar 2007
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Market Overview - The Australian Wine and Wine Grape Industry
Australia has been described as the perfect wine producing country. The
first grapevines arrived in Australia with European settlement in 1788, with
the establishment of the first commercial vineyard not long after. As
settlement spread throughout the country during the 19th century so to did
plantings of grapevines.
Jan 2007
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|
Federal Government
listens to Industry - Secondary Market to be introduced
The latest Federal Government Budget included a
welcome announcement regarding the introduction of a secondary
market for forestry managed investment schemes (forestry MIS).
From 1 July 2007 investors in forestry MIS will be able to trade
their interests once they have been held by the initial investor for
a period of at least four years. The four year restriction will
apply only to the initial investors in a scheme and will be
applicable to interests in pre-existing schemes, meaning that
growers who invested in a forestry MIS project prior to 1 July 2003
will be able to trade their interests from 1 July 2007.
Read the full announcement from Senator the Hon
Eric Abetz.
08/05/2007
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Extension welcomed
for agribusiness managed investment schemes
The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has announced it will defer the
implementation of its reconsidered view of the tax treatment
relating to agricultural managed investment schemes until 1 July
2008.
Importantly,
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• |
All 2007 Projects will
continue to be deductible for the life of the
Project under existing product rulings |
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• |
The ATO will continue
to issue product rulings for investments in
agribusiness managed investment schemes until 1 July
2008 i.e. 2008 Projects. |
27/03/2007
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Australian Paulownia Industry
Independent Research house, Adviser Edge, has completed research on the Australian Paulownia Industry. The report highlights exciting and positive facts about the timber and its potential markets.
February 2006
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Budget tax changes:
A strategic timing opportunity for agribusiness!
The May
budget this year has created strategic
timing opportunities for Australian
investors to make the most of significant
tax changes that will be introduced on 01
July 2006.
The most profound effect will be for tax
payers in the $95,000 or more categories who
currently pay some 47% tax (plus Medicare)
on every dollar over the threshold. From 01
July an income earner will have to earn an
additional 58% MORE income to be included in
the top tax bracket, which in itself has
been reduced to 45% and starts at the
massive $150,001.
The Australian Financial Review reported
that just ‘the Top 2% of wage earners, those
who earn over $150,000 a year, will pay the
new top marginal rate of 45c in every
dollar'.
The implication for potential agribusiness
growers is to optimise their investment
positions prior to 30 June to make good use
of the available tax deductions afforded to
Growers in the various projects prior to 30
June as when the income is received in
future years the Grower most likely will be
in a lower tax bracket, simply due to
legislative change!
May 2006
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Federal Budget 2006
Proposed Taxation Arrangements For Plantation Forestry
In the 2005-06 Budget, the
Government announced that it would be extending the
operation of the 12 month prepayment rule for
forestry MIS until 30 June 2008 and that it would
undertake a review of the taxation treatment of
plantation forestry...
09/05/2006 www.peterdutton.com.au
|
100percentinvesting advertises in the Financial Review
þ Invest
in Tax Effective Agribusiness projects
þ DIY
online and Save Thousands
in Adviser Commissions
þ Projects
available from $3,000
þ Up
to 100% Tax Deductions fully supported by
Tax Office rulings
17/05/2006 Australian Financial Review
|
Manager Ratings
AAG’s recently released
Manager Ratings have created some positive
media attention recently...
01/05/2006 media release
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Agribusiness investors urged to check commissions
Australian agribusiness
investors have been warned to check the commission
their financial planners receive and to access
independent research themselves, before making a
decision on an investment...
19/04/2006 source: Money Management
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Market Overview - The Australian Almond Industry
Almond yields per hectare in Australia are substantially higher than the world
average and despite the dry conditions experienced in Australia recently, there
has been no noticeable decline in yields. Australia produces 10,000 tonnes of
almonds annually, which comprises approximately 1.0% of global production,
which in 2004 consisted of 1.55 million tonnes shelled. Because of this,
Australia plays a small role in the world almond market.
Jan 2006 |