Disingenuous Taxation Proposal

Well I never! To think that a Government – in Australia, would or could take us all as idiots, is beyond belief. Hah!!

Now listen carefully:-

Assume, for the sake of argument that the Australian taxation revenue is $100 billion (it is much more I know, but that is not the point) as I say $100 billion. If the Federal Government’s plan is accepted, that Federal taxation would be reduced (slightly) and this shortfall in overall taxation would revert to the States and Territories to collect for their use, then a very straight forward scenario will unfold. No matter how this is sliced and diced between the Federal Government and the States and Territories the total tax revenue will still be $100 billion (or whatever the actual figure is). No more, no less. It cannot be otherwise UNLESS taxation is increased!

This is what the Federal Government is trying to do – to FORCE the States and Territories to increase taxes to meet their ever increasing need to fund health and education. The Federal Government can wash its hands, Judas fashion, and say with a straight face – we didn’t do anything to increase taxes!! Blame the States and Territories!

I just hope that our various State and Territory leaders will see through this trap and reject the proposal to change how taxes are collected.

Shall I hold my breath?

Private School Funding

I have never understood why, in the Australian context, private (also known as independent) schools should receive tax payer’s money to support their students. Surely private/independent means just that? Surely someone who can afford the fees to send their child to a private/independent school does not need the support of tax payer funds? Parents (or guardians) of a student would, I presume, decide to send their child to a particular private/independent school because they agree with the philosophy, the status this may provide or the teaching methods of their chosen institution – and therefore agree to the entry conditions AND the fees charged.

I agree wholeheartedly with the Australian Government’s avowed aim that every child should receive a good education. This is as it should be. This is why there are government, or in the Australian vernacular – public schools, funded by tax payers.

So why add to the taxpayer’s burden by providing additional funds to private/independent fee charging schools from taxpayer’s money? The logic of this is beyond me – and also I might add, to my one loyal reader!