Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

The illegal boat arrival vacuum

By Syd Hickman - posted Tuesday, 8 March 2016


The current tax debate has failed for quite simple reasons. PM Turnbull hyped it up in the lead up to an election, which would have made sense if there was a boom going on and surplus money to be distributed. But given we are in a tough economic transition, have a considerable debt and ongoing budget deficits the real challenges are to increase tax or cut spending. Deciding to pretend this is not true is either stupid or delusional.

The initial assessments of benefits from raising the GST were probably based on numbers from when the tax was introduced. But then they updated the figures and suddenly realised the population has aged and we are in a spending slowdown so the benefits, and the cost of compensation, are radically different. If this is true its a real amateur hour performance from Treasury.

The Greens can advocate serious tax changes without too much fear of losing votes. Most of their voters are young so they could push cuts to negative gearing and admit the truth that this will drive house prices down a little, but claim that as a benefit as housing affordability for young people improved.

Advertisement

Both the ALP and the Government are playing with cuts in this area but can not summon up the courage to admit the obvious, that making houses more affordable means dropping prices. And that this does not matter to most people because if they get less when selling their house they also can buy their next one cheaper. The only real losers are the people inheriting houses when people die. So negative gearing can be seen as a taxpayer funded inheritance subsidy. The Greens could jump right in.

With these and other policies on energy, science and drugs for example, The Greens could make quite a dent in ALP and even Coalition votes. But only if they wind back the huge voter turn-off that goes with all the righteous outrage concerning illegal boat arrivals. The Government's great work in stopping the boats and steadily winding back the numbers in detention has offered them that option.

The choice facing The Greens is huge. At the coming poll they will either make the leap to become a party aiming for government with a comprehensive big picture to offer the nation, and particularly young people, or they will remain a party of protest, the representatives of the outraged 10%, and go no further. If they do succeed Di Natale will owe a debt to Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

2 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Syd Hickman has worked as a school teacher, soldier, Commonwealth and State public servant, on the staff of a Premier, as chief of Staff to a Federal Minister and leader of the Opposition, and has survived for more than a decade in the small business world.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Syd Hickman

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 2 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy