It is not possible for a government to provide advanced social welfare, community services, education or health services without an efficient taxation system. Governments need a steady flow of revenue for lots of other things as well: defence, public administration and so forth. Governments choose to spend money on other items too such a subsidies to industry, farmers and others.
As far as John is concerned there are important equity questions to be considered in relation to all this. From whom to raise the taxation and to whom to supply services, benefits and subsidies.
In the 17th Century, Jean Baptiste Colbert said, “The art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to obtain the largest amount of feathers with the least amount of hissing.” Fairness is an ever-present question in relation to taxation as the hapless Joe Hockey found out after he brought down his 2014 budget.
Reckons it’s a law firm. Now watch them squirm. It may have had a firm grip on the money it laundered for the filthy rich with a grubby itch. Did it uphold the law when it decided to rob the poor? Tax evasion, and avoidance it was done in accordance with the rules of money […]
The rich can never be taxed to death. But the poor starve and freeze to death everyday.
Dear Dr Henry I write in relation to the reviews of the Australian social security system and taxation system. My submission is in the form of a proposal to construct the social security system in a way which would improve equity and remove inefficiencies. Essentially, I am proposing that: the main income support system is […]
ON LINE opinion – Australia’s e-journal of social and political debate Posted Monday, 9 May 2016 The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has accused the Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten, of engaging in class warfare. The basis of his accusation relates to comments Shorten made about tax breaks given to those earning above $80,000 a […]
Glenn Stevens, Retiring Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia proffered this advice in an address to the Anika Foundation Luncheon in Sydney on the 10th August 2016: Many difficult choices will need to be made along the path of budgetary adjustment. At present, general public debate starts with commitment to the need for reform and […]
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