A round-up of public finance news stories from the Asia Pacific region you might have missed this week (September 16-20).

Cash handouts of ¥10,000 eyed for poor after tax hike

To cushion the impact of the first stage of the consumption tax hike, the government plans to distribute cash payments of ¥10,000 to ¥15,000 to people with low incomes, sources said this week. (Japan Times)

Call for proper budget utilisation in Pakistan's education sector

A policy dialogue on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Budget 2013/14 was organised by the Institute of Social and Policy Sciences in collaboration with the UK Department for International Development this week. (The Nation)

Australia: coalition plans 12,000 public sector job cuts over two years

Incoming employment minister Eric Abetz has warned Labor and the Greens against trying to obstruct the coalition's workplace agenda, declaring the new government had a mandate to implement policies, including the removal of 12,000 public sector jobs. (The Australian)

India: budget for Odisha state PSU reforms sought

The Odisah State Government has asked the Indian government’s Public Enterprises Department to submit a proposal indicating the financial requirement on the state of reforms to public sector undertakings. (New Indian Express)

Philippines public sector deficit expected to fall next year

The Philippines consolidated public sector deficit is projected to fall to P100.8 billion next year, revised government data showed. (Business World Online)