The mining tax is pay for perfect but if it taxed more miners — not just those who mine coal and iron — it would be better, says Dr Richard Denniss of The Australia Institute.
Ken Henry
Tax forum gave us naked policy debate and no horseshit
If you want to improve the debate in Australia, if you want real public debate in this country rather than the dismal sloganeering of the unhinged — this tax forum is a marvelous template.
Tax forum demonstrates Labor has already failed
Even for tax policy fanatics it’s hard to get excited about the two-day tax forum. Given Labor’s failure to adopt the Henry tax review, the prospect of meaningful change is slim, says Adam Creighton.
Kohler: a smudge on Henry’s tax blueprint
It’s hard to imagine anything at all coming from tomorrow’s tax forum when we have a deeply unpopular minority government committed to a $47.7 billion budget turnaround within two years.
The Asian Century: Canberra readjusts the policy settings
If there is a conceptual shift on display in yesterday’s white paper launch, it is from Australia’s firm attachment to the construct of the Asia Pacific towards the “Asian Century”, writes Graeme Dobell.
Ken Henry’s unfulfilled legacy
Ken Henry can leave Treasury knowing he was responsible for one of the greatest public policy successes since Federation, the response to the GFC. It’s a pity both sides of politics treated him poorly.
Bartholomeusz: Swan’s curious credit obsession
It’s peculiar that the nation’s treasurer is obsessed with trying to organise more and cheaper credit even as his central banks tries to do the opposite.
Super-sized aim to rort the Independents
One of the many powerful interest groups seeking to influence the independents and the Greens in search of support for policies that may be at risk, is the very powerful superannuation industry.
The magician’s assistant: Henry gives the game away
Treasury Secretary Ken Henry has confirmed that the changes to the government’s resource rent tax regime only reduced the revenue by $1.5 billion because commodity price forecasts were revised between the two taxes.
New tax a win for common sense and for the PM
While the opposition looks set to oppose the MRRT, Julia Gillard has come up with what appears to be a very well-designed compromise in a remarkably short time.
Henry more suited to a bad Korea move and less scrutiny
The Resources Super Profits Tax, the monstrosity devised by Ken Henry, is certainly not the solution. And yes, pesky economists and commentators will continue to criticise it.
Political snippets: Abbott’s team playing the man
The opposition is attacking Treasury secretary Ken Henry as being a Labor gun for hire. Are they playing the man or the ball? Plus, evidence of a warming world and other political snippets.
Budget reply: the battle of the incompetents
Silly and unnecessary mistakes ruined Joe Hockey’s budget reply. This year’s election seems to be shaping up as a battle of the incompetent.
Political snippets: Ken Henry and fear walk different paths
That Ken Henry is clearly prepared to give fearless advice was shown by his speech yesterday to a group of business economists. Plus, calling the miner’s bluff and other political snippets.
What happened to Henry?
Poor Ken Henry. Yes, Wayne Swan did announce another two measly recommendations from the Henry Review in the Budget, but cherry picking makes for terrible policy, writes Judith Sloan
The Henry Tax Review — What really happened
Ken Henry and the Cyborg Wombats live in concert at the Hordern Pavilion June 3 - Book Now!
The true truth about truth in advertising
You may need to have a Sausageologist perform a chopectomy on you
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Ken Henry: Aussie of the Year or wombat? You decide!
Crikey reader Gordon Pears nominates Ken Henry for Australian of the Year. Plus, readers weigh in on Tony Abbott the fitness freak, Grand Prix’s ratings and Stern Hu in China.
Political snippets: Public servants are like kids: seen but not heard
Treasury Secretary Ken Henry needs to be careful making overtly political — and also obviously in favour of one party — comments. Plus, can Abbott cycle to power? and other political snippets of the day.
If Australia is the question, Poo is the answer
For a brontosaurus sized version go here… *Buy your very own ROFLsome First Dog on the Moon bumper sticker now!
Don’t let Godwin Grech fade away
The privileges committee’s report into the Utegate and Godwin Grech saga must stay on the radar. An undemocratic Senate has no business trying to have a separate relationship with public servants.
How will history judge Rudd?
Kevin Rudd cares deeply for his historical legacy, but it’s not yet time to pen History of Rudd the Great. Refugee policy, preventative health and tax changes will all mark his prime ministership, says Josh Gordon.
Colebatch: Stop tooting your own horn Ken Henry, the economy ain’t that good
If the Australian economy passed the GFC test as Ken Henry claims, then we should expect government guarantees whenever financial markets cut off funds to Aussie lenders. This isn’t something to be proud of, writes Tim Colebatch.
