No taxation without representation

Australia’s insistence on mandatory voting in elections does not guarantee proper representation for absent property owners and ratepayers in local government.

Death to death duties

The Productivity Commission argues that allowing people to pass on more of their wealth to their children would reduce inequality, rather than entrenching it.

Why a super tax isn’t a great idea

Taxing the “super profits’ made by large companies sounds like a a good idea, but it’s hard to get right and there might be better ways to get more company tax into the public coffers.

Understanding Australia’s tax concessions to attract overseas talent

Australian expats abroad are currently paying tax to foreign tax authorities. They have suddenly become the focus for Australia’s 2021-22 Federal Budget.

The states should get their own tax in order

Proposals to boost the GST and swap land tax for stamp duty regularly make the headlines, but somehow they never seem to happen.

Australia’s unfair tax system needs an overhaul

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s tax time presents Australian businesses, particularly smaller ones, with an even greater challenge and the compliance costs could be significant. 

Could wealth hidden in tax havens help pay for COVID-19?

Late last month, Denmark, France and Poland banned companies registered in tax havens from receiving government COVID-19 bailouts. Should Australia do the same?

Australia needs a better tax system

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the fact we are failing to collect tax revenue while giving away hundreds of billions in tax concessions, increasing the financial burden on the working public.

Pursuing the multinational tax cheats

Glencore’s lawyers argued anything about the company in the Paradise Papers was “privileged” and the tax office should be prevented from using that information, but they would say that, wouldn’t they?

Fighting the shift from services to tax cuts

The Australian Council of Social Service has criticised the Treasurer’s announcement that he will not pursue an increase in the Medicare Levy to help fund the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Even wealthy shareholders should help pay for essential services

The governments’ continued provision of essential health, aged care, NDIS and other services is shaky as long as large gaps in Australia’s revenue base remain and the well-off should not escape their share of the burden.