New Member Benefits Facebook page ‘Like’ competition

Australian Unions Member Benefits (previously known as ACTU Member Connect) have a brand new Facebook page for you to head to and ‘Like’ right now!  And the best bit is if you hit the ‘Like’ button before 31st August 2016 you will automatically go in the draw to win a $100 WISH Gift Card!  If you’re already a ‘Liker’ of our old page, you will still need to head across to the new page and hit ‘Like’ to enter the competition.  We will be closing down the old page shortly.

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Number of Aussie households predicting debt trouble doubles

Key findings from ME’s 10th biannual Household Financial Comfort Report include:

• Double the struggle to repay debt: Of the 65% of households with outstanding debt, 10% expect they won’t be able to meet minimum debt repayments in the next six to 12 months – a twofold increase since December 2015 and the highest since the survey began in late 2011.

• ME’s overall Household Financial Comfort Index dropped significantly by 4% to 5.37 out of 10 in the six months to June 2016. This deterioration reverses the rise of the previous survey and takes overall comfort to slightly below the Index’s historical average.

• Baby boomers rated themselves as the hardest hit: Perceived comfort with ‘income’, ‘cash savings’ and ‘net wealth’ deteriorated considerably, causing baby boomers’ comfort to fall the most of any generation (down 7%) to the lowest level for the past couple of years (5.42 out of 10).

ME’s 10th biannual Household Financial Comfort Report shows marked deterioration in Australian households’ confidence in their ‘ability to manage debt over the next six to 12 months’, doubling from about 5% over the past few years to 10% in the past six months to June 2016 (see Report page 37).

Read on for full article

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Did you know that tax time is also Super time?

It has been said that there is ‘nothing certain in the world except for death and taxes’ and it is that time of year when many of us are completing our annual tax return. 

This year, if you have set up your personal profile at my.gov.gov.au you can use the new mytax option to submit your own annual tax return – no need to wait for an accountant or tax agent.

And, you never know there may be a pleasant surprise awaiting you. While many will be hoping for a tax refund, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) also holds millions of ‘lost super’ accounts – one of which may be yours.

Read on to see if the ATO has any lost super accounts in your name

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What a Cracka of an offer!

There is no point beating about the bush – the Popular Red and White Varietals Mix really is a mix of the most popular red and white wines around!  With 12 different wines collected from amongst the goodies at the Cracka shed, this pack has something for everyone.  Amongst the bargains in this mixed case is a Shiraz from Lindemans, a crisp and modern Chardonnay from Tahbilk and a juicy Cabernet Merlot from De Bortoli. Chock-full of vinous deliciousness, this is a whole lotta tasty vino for a massive $152 off the normal RRP! 

Together, with all of their powers combined, this collection of wines make up for one tasty dozen just primed for your drinking pleasure.

• RRP: $252.96
• Cracka Price: $99 + Freight
• Plus union members receive an additional 7.5% off – simply quote UNIONS in the ‘voucher code’ box at checkout
• SAVE: $153.96

So head over to crackawines.com.au/unions now and grab this special bargain, exclusive to union members.

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Dump tax cuts for billionaires – instead fund schools and hospitals

It’s about priorities.

We don’t want health and education of funding starved in order to hand our money over to multinationals in the form of a tax grab.

If Malcolm Turnbull will not listen, the new Senate can stand up and can block these cuts. Many new Senators are yet to make up their mind. Let’s send them a clear message.

Sign and share this petition now

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New Member Benefits mobile website – with great offers  

A couple of months ago we launched a new mobile friendly version of the secure Australian Unions Member Benefits website – where you can continue to access all of your benefits in one convenient place. 

Our current offers include:

• Movie vouchers at heavily discounted prices
• A range of eGift cards
• Attractions including zoos and aquariums
• Offers from our partners ME, Crackawines, The Motor Report, Tyresales and Hertz

The new site has been designed to give members a better experience with improved functionality.  This is a free program available to affiliated union members.

Make sure you register now for access to our secure site.

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