Taylor: Lower spending not higher GST best way to fund tax reform
The Coalition has played down the prospect of supporting a higher GST to fund income tax cuts, as frontbencher Angus Taylor says the starting point for tax reform must be government spending.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has pledged to lead an overhaul of Australia's tax system aimed at lowering the burden on workers while raising other taxes to help plug the federal budget deficit.
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The Age
10 hours ago
- The Age
LNP's ‘wait and see' policy black holes count for zero
To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@ Please include your home address and telephone number below your letter. No attachments. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published. OPPOSITION ENERGY POLICY Dan Tehan's latest commentary (' Tehan maintains rage over Labor's green agenda that is 'trashing our economy' ', 28/6 ) is a masterclass in political hedging. He attacks Labor's clean energy plan as too costly without offering any serious alternative – and without saying what he would spend, or do instead. Apparently, it's too soon to say what the Coalition's policy will be. But it's not too soon to throw stones. Tehan is trying to have it both ways: Acknowledging climate change is real, and we must act, but also undermining Australia's existing pathway to net zero – one endorsed by 195 countries and backed by growing investment, jobs and global momentum. Instead of proposing a credible, costed alternative, Tehan points to nuclear power – a decades-away, taxpayer-funded gamble that voters in proposed host communities clearly rejected. Meanwhile, his own Coalition partners, the Nationals, are openly discussing ditching net zero altogether. If the Coalition really believes in climate action and affordable energy, it needs to stop hiding behind scare campaigns and internal reviews. Tehan's 'wait and see' approach isn't leadership– it's delay dressed up as strategy. The public deserves more than recycled talking points and policy black holes. Alan Richardson, Warrnambool Pace for renewables after Coalition inaction Has it ever occurred to Dan Tehan (29/6) why the federal government has to move so quickly on rolling out renewable energy? May it have something to do with 20 years of Coalition governments' climate change denial and inaction? Geoff Wescott, Northcote Time for action is now I am surprised that Dan Tehan expects voters to be turned on by his plan to let Labor make all the running on climate for '18 months and two years and then work out what we can do'. There are indications enough that the Australian public knows that real emissions have to come down. We know that more severe climate deterioration can be expected as world average surface temperatures approach and exceed 1.5oC above their values in pre-industrial times. We are already effectively at this threshold – and emissions, instead of coming down, continue to rise. Human-induced climate change will only ease if, and when, global action is effective in bringing the concentration of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere back down towards levels prevalent in pre-industrial times. The concentration of carbon dioxide in pre-industrial times was 280 parts per million. It is now 420 ppm and rising. The responsible thing for the Coalition to do would be to work with the government in implementing the most cost-effective ways of reducing emissions, not in 18 months' or two years' time, but now. John Gare, Kew East More from the LNP policy wasteland Angus Taylor believes quotas for women in his party would 'subvert democracy' (27/6). This is what subverts democracy, Angus: Imposing false debts on half a million social security recipients, causing horrific stress and hardship (Robodebt); providing tax breaks and other benefits to wealthy individuals and companies in the hope some crumbs will eventually trickle down to everyone else (supply side economics – a bedrock LNP principle); ignoring the science of climate change for decades resulting in untold personal, financial and environmental damage (climate denialism). From the same policy wasteland, Dan Tehan, in an accompanying article, suggests the opposition might have some ideas for a climate policy in a few years' time, while railing against the Labor government's commitment to renewables. Meanwhile, the gap between the 'haves' and 'have-nots' is at a 20-year high. Democracy has already been subverted under your watch Angus. Please make way for someone – preferably a woman – with some caring, careful and better crafted policies. Peter Thomson, Brunswick THE FORUM Who is really responsible? Oh dear, Angus. No quotas for women have worked so well for the Liberals. So who was responsible for failing so spectacularly? The 'men' can't blame quotas (there were none). Nor can they blame the women (as there were too few). Jenny Bone, Surrey Hills Merit in quotas It's worrying that quotas in politics is somehow an undemocratic idea (28/6). The insistence on 'merit' seems like a way of effectively shutting women out of politics. It means that a male-dominated party will be the on-going pattern, to the exclusion of female voices and sensibilities. Quotas lift opportunity for a fair representation in politics and isn't this the soul of democracy? The trouble with the 'merit' ideology is that women have to compete with men on men's terms, disadvantaging many women from the outset. Would that we could see the merit in quotas. Ian Hill, Blackburn South
Sydney Morning Herald
11 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Tehan stuck with Dutton denialism over climate
It's no wonder the Coalition is in the political wilderness (' Labor's green agenda 'trashing the economy,' rages Tehan ', June 28). In a show of truly Duttonesque negativity, shadow energy spokesperson Dan Tehan has vehemently attacked the government's renewable energy roll-out. He complains of the cost of upgrades to the electricity grid, an area sadly neglected by his own government during the Morrison years. On top of that, Tehan conveniently ignores the cost of climate disasters to our communities. Meanwhile, opposition leader Sussan Ley has referred to 'our responsibility in the face of climate change' and has clearly stated that 'we must have a stable, reliable energy grid so that households can have affordable electricity'. Which is it to be – more delays from the Coalition or a sensible proposal to reduce emissions? Get with the plan, Dan! Anne O'Hara, Wanniassa (ACT) Dan Tehan, like many Coalition members, trots out spurious arguments against necessary renewables pursuit. 'Thousands of kilometres of transmission lines' having an impact on farmland? Really? How about the effect of greater floods, fires and droughts on farmland due to rapidly increasing climate change? Jill Stephenson, Woolwich I used to have some time for Dan Tehan, but he is testing me at the moment. Is he still to work out that the economy is subsidiary of the environment, not the reverse? Has he not read the widely accepted Stern Review, which comes to the simple conclusion that 'the benefits of strong and early action [on climate change] far outweigh the economic costs of not acting'. If you can't lead on this, Dan, maybe it's time to get out of the way. Hugh Barrett, Sanctuary Point Dan Tehan, it's sad to see nothing yet has changed in the opposition's hyperbolic approach to opposing. You say the government is 'happy to trash the economy'. Come on, Dan, you want us to believe that the government is knowingly and willingly, even intentionally, 'trashing' the economy? If you want voters to take you seriously, drop the hyperbole and make discussions about facts and policies. The over-the-top rhetoric may keep your 'base' and corporate influence-buyers happy, but it won't get you into government. The economy hasn't been 'trashed', inflation is back into the range where the Reserve Bank considers cutting interest rates and unemployment is near 50-year lows. Millions of households are directly experiencing the lower cost of solar electricity from their own roofs and understand that large scale solar and wind farms provide even cheaper power. Cut the hyperbole, deal with facts and potentially swinging voters might pay attention. Steven Lee, Faulconbridge Is anyone else tired of the Coalition's 'can't do' mindset when it comes to renewable energy? Awarding the shadow energy and emissions portfolio to Dan Tehan, who has consistently voted against climate action and net zero, shows they mean not to change. When Tehan says 'we have to do our part when it comes to dealing with climate change', it sounds good but fools no one. And giving himself '18 months and two years' to define that part shows he has no perception of climate urgency. Clearly, even after the worst drought on record in his Wannon electorate, he still doesn't get it. What will it take? Ray Peck, Hawthorn (Vic) Quotas or wilderness In about four decades engineering in heavy industry, I was exposed to sexism across the spectrum from unconscious bias to full-blown misogyny (' Taylor undercuts Ley on gender quotas ', June 28). I was also wonderfully supported and mentored, which was why I was able to prevail – one of very few women in the field who did. So it is with some degree of certitude that I humbly suggest that Angus has it wrong – dead wrong. While mentoring and support are great, they are largely unmeasurable and unenforceable and result in change at glacial pace. Much more assertive and transparent action such as the enactment of quotas, is required – only up to the point – that it nullifies the discrimination that the Liberal Party has as current practice. Otherwise, boys, continue to enjoy the wilderness. Kathryn Coates, Wangi Wangi Yes, Angus, and ignoring systemic sexism is also undemocratic. Julian Neylan, Dulwich Hill Once and for all, what has gender got to do with suitability for politics? Quotas aren't needed for most things in life these days. Men have learnt to cook, clean, nurse, be an admin person, a make-up artist – in fact, nearly everything – and they didn't need quotas. Mary Julian, Glebe The male leaders of the Liberal Party continue to reject the idea of quotas to increase the number of female MPs. One of the most annoying aspects of this recalcitrance is their smug assumption that they all got there on merit. Merona Martin, Meroo Meadow Shark net loophole In the story 'Number of white sharks not so great' (June 27), a spokesman for NSW Primary Industries said 'the NSW government does not fund or operate any 'shark culling program'.' Since 1937, the state government has installed nets off Sydney's beaches with the purpose of killing sharks (these are not the enclosures used in the harbour). As recently as 2009, a NSW Primary Industries review of the shark nets stated the objective was the '... culling populations of large, aggressive sharks'. Since 2009, nothing has changed other than shortening the duration of the shark net season. The gill nets designed to kill sharks remain the same and killing sharks is what they do. The department has acknowledged that the shark nets are not barriers, given they're only 150 metres in length. But now they aren't meant to kill sharks either? Taxpayers and ocean users have a right to know what exactly this program is. A decision to end the shark cull could not come too soon to protect threatened species from extinction. Lawrence Chlebeck, Humane World for Animals Australia, Avalon Bravo, volunteers How reassuring to read about a young person giving so generously of their time to volunteer (' Why volunteers are giving themselves a helping hand ', June 28). Australia's volunteer sector is vast and diverse and fundamental to the nation's ability to respond to crises, but our ageing population will inevitably lead to a significant curtailment in the capabilities of our volunteer army. If more young people were inspired to latch on to the benefits of volunteering as Usha Makkena has, it would have far-reaching effects, as well as being a win-win situation for each one of us. Joy Nason, Mona Vale Top-heavy unis risk falling over Jordan Baker's article (' Uni hatred is 'a kind of monster ‴ , June 28) highlights a crisis existing for Australia and its universities. Baker does a very good job at covering myriad negative influences over the years that have created the monster. It is worth pointing out that this monster is incredibly 'top heavy', which is making it fall over. Universities, over the decades, have gone from, largely, an efficient and in-touch governing structure dominated by practicing academics, i.e. professorial heads of departments with their highly qualified academic staff as 'members of each departmental board'; to many managerial deputy vice chancellors, pro vice chancellors, heads of schools etc plus any number of associated office staff, advisers and governing board structures. In addition, there are the marketing arms of the new corporate universities. All new employees and their supporting infrastructure do not teach or do research. This 'managerial head' dominates university budgets and feeds itself. So much so that the head swallows most of the university resources of Australian universities and there is very little left for the academic staff and students. Hence, there are increasing numbers of casual and underpaid or 'not paid' staff, and more repetitive self-serve courses via the internet to meet the cost of the head. It is no wonder there are questions regarding the quality of university teaching and research; the productive output of universities is starved of funds. Any private company with such a top-heavy management structure that takes resources away from its productive capacity would have become bankrupt long ago. Paul Gannon, Coopers Shoot Having been blessed with eight years of part-time study in the arts faculty of the Australian National University, which was set up as a centre of excellence by the Chifley government, I was appalled to read Jordan Baker's account of hostility towards the universities. They are such a valuable resource that we cannot afford to see them whittled down by the indifference and even hostility of politicians and commentators. Andrew Macintosh, Cromer My younger brother loves to brag that he was the only family member to attend university. It's not entirely true because I attended one for over a decade as a paid member of general staff. I gained my business and admin skills at TAFE. My husband gained his chemistry certificate at TAFE and also went on to work in a uni laboratory. Over our combined careers of almost 100 years, we've been good taxpayers. I would also like to point out that our employers were constantly contributing dollars toward our training. There is a term they love to use in university administration – 'empire building'. I think we should move much back to TAFE and I know I'm not alone with that idea. Sue Dellit, Austinmer The Labor government's refusal to scrap the Job Ready Graduates policy is disappointing. The scheme is deeply discriminatory as many students from low-income homes start their university career by enrolling in an arts or social science program. Doubling the cost of these degrees effectively excludes thousands of low-income students and gives a lie to Labor's pledge to create a more equal and fairer society. Alan Morris, Eastlakes Road horrors recalled Your recent correspondent (Letters, June 28) recalled for me the time I was tailgated all the way down Bulli Pass by a fully laden coal truck about a metre behind me and with no room to pull over. Later, an amused local told me that the drivers do it to ease the boredom of the short trips. Even more terrifying was the time I was tailgated by a huge semi from London to Oxford in a sleet storm. Both experiences were character building; I am no longer afraid of anything on the road. Except perhaps getting lost in Darling Harbour. Coral Button, North Epping I would also like to call for more police presence where trucks frequent. Recently, driving my small car in the slow lane of the M1, I was menaced – there's no other word for it – by a very large B-double truck, the driver flashing huge lights and blaring a loud horn while bearing down on my car. I was fortunately able to change into the centre lane, only to see the truck doing the same to the P-plater ahead. I memorised the truck's registration number and, on reaching my destination, rang the police, who took the details, and I emailed the trucking company through its website. The company's response? None, not even an acknowledgement. I can only hope that there were police somewhere else on that truck's journey, as I'm in no doubt that the behaviour I witnessed wasn't a one-off. Randi Svensen, Wyong Vale, pen warrior Here I was, reading through Saturday's Postscript (Letters, June 28), smiling and chuckling while remembering the topics being covered this past week. And then, suddenly, I was crying. As with most/all people who frequent the letters to editor section, I know Joan Brown only through the section. When she shared with us that she had moved into a 'home', I knew it would not be long until I heard this sad news, but it has still hit me hard. I want more Joan Browns in this world. Her insight, intelligence and compassion for her fellow human beings oozed out of every letter she wrote. Condolences to her family and friends – how wonderful to have had this woman present in your lives. I'm sure I speak for everyone who frequents this section of the newspaper that it was a privilege to 'know' her, we will miss her greatly and will remember her often. RIP, Joan Brown. Annabel Doherty, Armidale It was with sadness that I read of the death of your delightful correspondent Joan Brown of Orange. She was a prolific writer, well informed and at times quite witty. She'll be missed but not forgotten. Rodney Crute, Hunters Hill It was with much sadness that I read of the passing of respected regular correspondent Joan Brown. Joan's contributions were always thoughtful, concise, forthright and direct. I'm sure her presence on the letters page will be greatly missed by fellow correspondents and regular readers. Derrick Mason, Boorowa
West Australian
12 hours ago
- West Australian
WA voices left out of crucial economic and security cabinet committees
West Australians have been overlooked on two of Anthony Albanese's most important cabinet committees on the economy and national security, despite the State's key role in both areas. In a bureaucratic Brisbane line, there are no WA representatives in the Prime Minister's new make-up of the powerful expenditure review and national security cabinet committees. That's despite Western Australia's resources riches, critical minerals and Indian Ocean frontier being vital to the difficult issues the Albanese Government is confronting in its second term, including the energy transition and geostrategic uncertainties. Membership of the cabinet committees was made public last week. There have been minimal changes to the two bodies. Mr Albanese chairs the expenditure review committee with Treasurer Jim Chalmers as his deputy on the group that makes budget decisions. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, Health Minister Mark Butler and Infrastructure Minister Catherine King all keep their ERC positions. Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth has joined in place of Michelle Rowland, after the latter switched portfolios from communications to Attorney-General. Daniel Mulino is also a new face at the table after he took over as assistant treasurer following the political retirement of Stephen Jones. Mr Albanese and Mr Marles lead the national security committee. Its only new face this term is Ms Rowland, who replaces former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus. The NSC membership also includes Senator Wong, Dr Chalmers, Senator Gallagher, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, Energy Minister Chris Bowen and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy. Mr Albanese has repeatedly spoken of the importance of WA to Australia's economic and national security and is also acutely conscious of the State's contribution to his own political position. West Australian voters sent 11 Labor MPs to Canberra at the May election, out of 16 seats. 'The Albanese Labor Government is very proud of our increased WA representation at the election,' a spokesman for the Prime Minister said. 'That means more voices in Canberra speaking up for the great state of Western Australia. Importantly, that has seen greater representation in Cabinet, where decisions are made.' Anne Aly took on responsibility for small business, multicultural affairs and foreign aid after the election and joined Resources Minister Madeleine King in cabinet, doubling WA's representation. Shadow home affairs minister Andrew Hastie said it was 'ridiculous' that neither was on 'the two most important decision-making bodies' in the government. 'We should have someone on the ERC because we generate so much revenue for the country. And we should have someone on NSC because we are the home of AUKUS which cannot fail but is at risk at the moment,' he said. 'We need a bigger voice, and the Prime Minister is ignoring us.' Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Tania Constable said the resources portfolio was increasingly important in the nation's security discussions and that should be reflected at the highest echelons. 'Mining should be front and centre in government decision-making, with the resources minister included in the national security committee given the sector's vital role in strengthening economic resilience and supporting national security,' she said. She pointed to the sector's enormous logistics capability, supported by connected infrastructure and strategic assets. The head of Defence's national support division, Major-General Jason Walk, warned last week that China's stranglehold on critical minerals supply chains left Australia vulnerable and urged greater military cooperation with the resources sector to prepare for conflict. Scott Morrison came under fire in 2021 for not including Melissa Price, then the defence industry minister, in his national security committee, when the number of West Australians on the powerful grouping dropped from three to one. By the end of the Coalition's time in office, Michaelia Cash, then attorney-general, was the only WA representative on either cabinet committee, with none on the ERC. The Brisbane line was a WWII strategy — rejected by WA-based prime minister John Curtin — to prioritise defence of the heavily populated east coast areas south of Brisbane.
