The lack of opportunity experienced by some Australians was a fundamental economic issue that prevented people from participating in the workforce to their full potential, writes Larissa Nicholson.
Tax reform
A taxing two days in Canberra
Crikey media wrap: Tax isn’t a sexy topic, but Treasurer Wayne Swan’s two-day tax forum produced a few ideas worth getting excited about.
Crikey Says: Scotch Finger, anyone?
Cold hard tax reform would be sweet, but in this environment, with a government cowed by a feral opposition and interest groups that publicly howl down any kind of move maybe tea ‘n bikkies is the best we can hope for …
The strange reform hypocrisy of Australian business
Australian business has an ordinary record of backing economic reform.
Political snippets: The murky subject of tax reform
Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey will perhaps have a little more sympathy with Treasurer Wayne Swan.
Our carbon addict tax system
If you compare the money spent encouraging fossil fuel usage compared to how much it spent on climate change programs in recent years, it shows we have a pro-carbon tax system, so strongly supportive of fossil fuels that it would outweight a carbon price.
Oz business pushes for tax reform
Almost as soon as Australia’s election result was confirmed came the call for tax reform. The Business Council of Australia has already began exerting pressure on the Gillard government, arguing the need for policy reviews and a tax summit.
Time for a carbon tax, Kevin
A carbon tax is the best solution for a Government with a gaping hole where its climate change credibility used to be.
How much will the RSPT hurt your super? About $57 — and falling
The superannuation industry has savaged opponents of the Government’s Resources Super Profit Tax, dismissing claims it would harm superannuation holders. They say it will only cost $57 to the average superannuation account.
Why the RSPT is good for miners
Former Minerals Council chief David Buckingham digs through the resource rent tax hysteria: the RSPT is well-designed, and will only affect incredibly profitable enterprises — less profitable projects will actually save.
One-out stuff as Rudd shows how not to sell tax reform
Salesmanship and discipline are critical to tax reform, but Kevin Rudd is looking shaky on both.
“Socialist” Rudd is stealing from miners
Kevin “Robin Hood” Rudd is “spreading the wealth” — just like Obama — with his new tax on mining and resource companies, writes American businessman Francis Cianfrocca.
Henry Review: What about the land tax that Henry proposed?
In contrast to the Henry report’s advice that payroll tax be eventually abolished, the Rudd government has decided to increase its own payroll tax, writes Gavin R. Putland.
Henry Review: RSPT — find out what it means to the economy
Is the Resources Super Profits Tax — that’s RSPT for you Aretha Franklin fans — very different from the tax slug on medium and large businesses proposed by Tony Abbott to fund his paid parental leave scheme?
Henry Review: Super increase will hurt low income earners
The raising the super guarantee level to 12% is a sop to the super industry, the ACTU, and a return to Paul Keating’s dream. However, it ignores the serious questions of equity that make extra super not particularly desirable for those on low and intermittent incomes.
The Henry Review, reviewed
Daily media wrap: The Henry Tax Review, and the government’s long-awaited response to it, are in. Does it live up to the hype or did Rudd and Swan wimp out at the finish line?
Mind the gap: Government’s package doesn’t have much to do with Henry
While the Henry Review runs to over a thousand pages of detailed analysis and 140-odd recommendations on achieving a more efficient tax system, the Government’s response has surprisingly little to do with the work of Ken Henry and his team.
Not quite revolution, but Henry has provided a long-term reform blueprint
This is a subtle and, in the long term, potentially very significant set of proposals that sticks closely to its goal of an efficient tax system.
Caution wins out again: Rudd and Swan play it safe
The Rudd Government has produced a cautious package of measures in response to the Henry tax review, aimed at business, superannuation and infrastructure.
Kohler: This is politics, not reform
After five months of leaking and spinning since the Henry Review was handed to him, Wayne Swan has picked up exactly 1.75 of its 138 recommendations, or a bit over 1%.
Miners slugged with 40% tax on profits
The resources sector will be hit with a 40% tax on super profits in order to fund the Government’s changes to corporate taxes and superannuation reform, writes Patrick Stafford.
Crikey Says: Does Rudd have the stomach for this?
Do Rudd and Swan have the stomach for the real root-and-branch reform they initially requested back in those heady days of early power?
Kelly: Release the Henry Review hounds
How can states commit to the health reform changes if tax changes are possibly just around the corner? The government needs to immediately release the Henry Tax Review if it wants to maintain its economic credibility, writes Paul Kelly.
Colebatch: Hold off on Henry before we stuff it up
The Henry tax review is about to deliver its critical recommendations to the government. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for tax reform, and should be delayed if we’ve got Tony “great big tax” Abbott as Opposition leader, says Tim Colebatch.
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.
