Comments on: Ken Henry a welcome addition to the public tax debate

By: Ian Vagg

Ian Vagg — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

AS a retired tax agent who has spent many years dealing with the tax office I am surprised that Ken Henry is going to fix the problem that has been created by the public servants themselves.Good luck but my bet it will be another failure.The problem is the Australian mentality.If there is a loophole everyone will be onto it and then the government stops the so called rort with complexity.
At a recent tax conference I asked a question of a tax panel and suggested the whole system be simplified .Everyone looked at me in horror as all our workload would be reduced with say a flat tax with no deductions.So there is a vested interest in keeping it complicated

Maybe this will be different but it will have to be radical to make a difference

By: Will

Will — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Very astute piece Bernard. Some of the Rudd fatigue is justified, but his technocratic tendency towards advice is clearly something that is commendable. Obama will face some of the same kind of problems with long term burrowing as Rudd did - doubtful either was really in a position to win the day with a great purge.

I my opinion We need a political conception about the role of the public service that is somewhere between The Thick of It and the West Wing. Some healthy cynicism is one thing, but free and fearless advice from experts is nothing that should be scorned, and denigration of the public service is a pugnacious and self-destructive myopia.

By: Rex Adams

Rex Adams — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Very sycophantic, like the remainder of the press gallery in relation to the Rudd government.

By: Bob Barker

Bob Barker — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

This is off point. If as many would agree “The Howard years witnessed a steady politicisation of the Australian Public Service, under the mantra of “responsiveness”. Then, I would suppose that its current opposition’s recent experience with manipulation of the public service that underlies the assertion of manipulation in the forecast figures. I do like Ken Henry. Perhaps he could be parachuted into cabinet? If he is not practically there already.

By: Ev

Ev — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Rex ,”like the remainder of the press gallery”, includes the Australian as well I suppose?

Back on topic, any idea when this review is due? It seems a HUGE question, and one that would be a nightmare in an exam. “The tax system is big and complex. Review.”

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

At least no-one will end up dead, no-one will be giving $300 million to a brutal dictator to kill people with, no children will be tortured in concentration camps and no Indian Doctors will be fitted up.

All we get is a much needed tax review.

By: Frank Birchall

Frank Birchall — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

A very good and unbiased piece. To the list of “shameful performance” participants from the previous government, I would like to respectfully add the names of Philip Ruddock and Kevin Andrews.

By: denise

denise — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

I do not see any confidence lacking in the Treasure or Prime Minister, I think it is a genuine attempt
to bring an inderpendant policy to the table. Something that was lacking for 11 long long years.

By: denise

denise — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

It may have nothing to do with confidence etc, perhaps is has more to do with inderpenance.
I dont See Mr. Rudd lacking any confidence at all.

By: JamesK

JamesK — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Presumably Denise meant 'independent' both times but policy independent of whom? The democratically elected government?

Gee I wonder if there is anything else the Left could possibly reinvent or dream up that they might however improbably, even now, pin on Howard?

Ian Vagg has made an excellent point. Simplicity means all of us get a set percentage of our income paid as tax and there are no deductions. I'm all for it. But it's not going to happen.

Whilst i agree with Bernard that a serious review after detailed and informed discussions with stakeholders and offering framework alternates is a good thing Ken Henry has moved from being a Public Servant to being a political animal. And his review does not sound like the type of one I just alluded to.

Moreover Ken Henry's advice on Oct 11 did not seem particularly competent just 3 days later and nothing much has changed.

By: Keith Bedford

Keith Bedford — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

I read the connection to old smirk and mirrrors comements on the position for public servic advice in the government and I thought how typical. Peter just took their advice or not and acted as if he knew all about the position in Australai and was all wise. He seemed to have missed the signs of the current crisis which were apparent a long time ago. He and his sorry mob simply dragooned the dragoonable into being seen to do their bidding abd to hell with an independent Westminister style public service. Rudd and his mob are reinstating thie independent concept so we might hope for it to return pemanently if the Conservatives ever learn for what Rudd is doing. At a time like this it should be all hands to the piumps not an ignorant crarping crew playing everthing to show how unfit they are for office as are Turnbull and Co.