Latest news with #Gittins
The Age
4 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Our students are our resource. They shouldn't be taxed
To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@ Please include your home address and telephone number. No attachments, please include your letter in the body of the email. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published. Ross Gittins (' PM cries poor as gas riches go untaxed ', 13/8) highlights the ridiculous situation in which the government takes more money from tertiary education students via HECS than we collect from the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax. This is an inherited situation from previous LNP governments. On the eve of the federal government's productivity roundtable, and given the government's huge parliamentary majority, now is the time to rectify these flawed policies and follow the example of Norway, which taxes its oil and gas companies and provides free higher education. What Australia needs is strong leadership and structural change to our tax system, not a tinkering around the edges to avoid upsetting parts of the electorate. David Conolly, Brighton Labor is on notice to act Another insightful piece by Ross Gittins on the failure of the government to collect the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax. Critics have been talking about this inequitable failure for some time, but nothing changes. Gittins asks why the federal government is 'giving our gas away to big companies?' He answers his own question and the reason is due to powerful lobbying by those companies. This disparity in power is at the heart of our current lack of productivity and general economic progress. Everyday workers and even students (as Gittins observes) are easy targets from which to extract tax. There is growing disquiet in the community about the stated intention of the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of not tackling the big equality issues in the economic roundtable. If this forum turns out to be just a talkfest, it will demonstrate a lack of courage by Labor and a failure to listen to voters. We will all pay the price. Jan Marshall, Brighton We allow multinationals to pay a pittance The return taxpayers receive from the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax is half of 1 per cent. We are virtually allowing the petroleum companies to have our oil and gas for nothing. A person renting out a property would expect to get 2.5 per cent on the capital value of the property and yet we allow these multinationals to get away with paying a pittance. The treasurer and prime minister need to toughen up for the sake of future generations and impose a flat rate of $40 billion a year for them to have access to oil and gas. Oil and gas is a finite resource – once it's gone it's gone. Paul Chivers, Box Hill North Please, impose some sort of taxation Ross Gittins' article is jaw dropping. It is quite incomprehensible how we arrived at this position, although no doubt there are complex watertight contracts in place that would cost billions to get out of. Even a modest application of taxation would pay for the NDIS, among many other social needs. Fiona White, Alfredton Arguments need to be addressed The federal government needs to address the arguments made by Ross Gittins on the lack of a fair tax on gas exporters. Gittins shows that these tax rates stand in stark contrast to HECS charges paid by students. Mike Lawson, Adelaide We should not be subsidising this situation It is outrageous that our youth pay $50,000 for an arts degree, 56 per cent of our gas exports are given gratis to LNG exporters and the tax office describes the oil and gas companies as 'systematic non-payers' of tax. To make it even worse – currently every single Australian pays $548 a year to subsidise fossil fuels. Talk about room for improvement. Lesley Walker, Northcote THE FORUM Not so lucky The supposedly socially progressive Victorian Labor government is failing badly on at least two key measures of socio-economic wellbeing and fairness. As the Australian Education Union laments (Page 13 advertisement, 13/8), Victorian public schools are the lowest funded in Australia. Victoria ranks last in Australia for availability of social housing, with growing waiting lists. The government is not being brought to account by a divided opposition though incompetence and ideological blindness. The opposition is arguably worse federally. Liberal governments were primarily responsible for overseeing one of the most inequitable and segregated education systems in the developed world. They threaten scare campaigns against some urgent reforms to ease the housing crisis. Recent Labor governments have lacked the communication skills and courage to persevere with necessary change. Donald Horne's description of 'The Lucky Country' remains depressingly apt. Norman Huon, Port Melbourne
The Age
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Age
More work needed on how money is spent on defence
To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@ Please include your home address and telephone number. No attachments, please include your letter in the body of the email. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published. Bravo Ross Gittins (Comment, 16/7). The question of defence spending is not a stand-alone one. As Gittins points out, the money spent on defence could alternatively be spent on something else ... health, education and climate change for instance, all of which we are told are in need of funding, or it could reduce our national debt, agreed to be another worthy goal. Also, who do we rely on, and more particularly who do we trust, to advise on the amount to be spent on defence? And on what items the money is to be spent? Have Defence Department experts advised? Has the Foreign Affairs Department? What input from academic defence experts? Has the general public been told the alternative ways that this money could be spent? That a politician, with no specific expertise, clearly being pressured by a foreign government and with a forward view of three years, makes these decisions that shape a 40-year national future, seems unlikely to produce a sound result. More work needed. Peter Moore, Clifton Hill There will always be a use for the sword Not to make light of Ross Gittins' excellent suggestion that we shouldn't spend too much on useless military hardware when there are more pressing needs at home, has there ever been a time when a more powerful neighbour, human nature being what it is, has decided not to plunder its neighbour's undefended assets when they seem there for the taking? One might offer educational opportunities or trade deals or bribes in exchange for ″protection″, but sooner or later hard reality dawns and just like at the end of the Bronze Age when the hill fort on the other side of the valley acquires cutting edge technology, there comes a time when you need to upgrade to your own iron swords and spear tips if you don't want to become a footnote of history. Claude Miller, Castlemaine Happy to pay more tax for peace of mind Spending whatever is necessary to make us feel safe in our own backyard can never be a waste of money. The thought of being a sitting duck to an attack and not having the America fully engaged in our defence is something that should not sit well with all Australians. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should be taking orders from Donald Trump on our defence spending and I am happy to pay higher taxes to ensure my grandchildren don't have to look over their shoulders in years to come. You can't put a price on peace of mind. Steve Naumovski, Southbank Relationship with China is important to us Thank you Ross Gittins for a balanced and much needed article regarding the constant warmongering, sabre-rattling and the calls from the United States for NATO countries and Australia to dramatically increase their defence spending. Australia needs to continue to forge a strong relationship with China. It is our most important trading partner, with the health of their economy being intrinsically linked to ours. Gittins is right to point out the ″glee with which our defenceniks″ those with vested interests, accept calls of increased spending. Continuing a Cold War mentality approach, sold through the virtues of misplaced nationalism and irrational fear, certainly lines the coffers of many. As for looking to recent history as a guide for war and aggression, it is interesting to note, that since the end of the Vietnam war, the United States have conducted conventional bombing campaigns of more than 20 countries including, Cambodia, Grenada, Panama, Bosnia and Sudan to name a few, while China has conducted none. Craig Jory, Albury, NSW THE FORUM Trade and money for us Columnist Shaun Carney, writing of our national values, suggests change can be hard to accept in assessing our relationship with the United States under Donald Trump (″ Trump or Xi for Albo? Maybe both ″, 17/7). With our lax defence spending it is clear we are happy to be a nation of freeloaders on security and one that values trade and the economy ahead of traditional democratic freedoms that evades a billion or so Chinese. We expect our AUKUS security partners to do most of the heavy defence lifting while we pursue national wealth and prosperity through better economic relations with a communist dictatorship that has an abysmal human rights record and an open policy of eventually taking its neighbour by force. Sadly, if Anthony Albanese's assessment of ″public sentiment″ is correct, we now stand for a combination of trade, money and not much else. Good luck, Taiwan. Brian O'Neil, Heidelberg Heights Reality check on care Thank you Dr Jacqueline Wilson (' I survived care, my brother didn't ', 16/7) for describing such a heart-wrenchingly sad journey you and your brother faced in the child welfare system from such a young age. For those of us who haven't experienced such difficult childhoods it's a disturbing reality check on how life can be so hard and unsatisfactory for all too many young children and adolescents caught up so powerlessly in the care of the state. It's good to know that some former wards of state have also kept this issue in the public eye and had some compensation, albeit small, but it seems little has changed despite many reports and recommendations for future improvements in the child welfare and protection systems. I was a social worker in the 1970s and am ashamed to say I didn't want to work in that area as even then, it was woefully under-resourced. It seems little has changed. Let's hope things do change for the better so that all your grit and determination ending up working in a similar field and as well, so that a life like your brother's hasn't been lost in vain. Kerin Tulloch, Hawthorn Grateful commuter Carriage comes off the rails at Clifton Hill on Sunday evening, two train lines are suspended and major delays ensue for north-east commuters. On Wednesday morning I braced for the worst, radio news telling me bus trips would be long, uncomfortable and trips delayed. Walking to Heidelberg Station I hoped there would be information and that my wait for a bus would not be long. I was greeted by PTV staff who were friendly, guiding commuters to the bus services. I quickly joined the queue for the express bus to Parliament and five minutes later a bus arrived to take me into the city. The journey was quick, free and pleasant. My trip home took a little longer due to peak-hour traffic, however it was just as pleasant as my morning commute. Plenty of PTV staff were in place to guide and assist passengers and I thanked them all as I began my short walk home. It's not all doom and gloom, leave a little earlier, know it will take a little longer but know that when things don't always go to plan, there are people doing their best to get us all to where we need to go as quickly as possible. I, for one, am grateful. Franca Mosca, Ivanhoe
Leader Live
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Eisteddfod puts Llangollen on the international map
The Clwyd East MP visited the festival to look around the field, watch the competitions and meet some of the volunteers which make it possible each year. She said: 'I've been to the Eisteddfod many times before because people who grow up in North Wales as I did know it as an opportunity to experience a lot of things that they haven't before. It's a place where people from all over the world gather to share in our cultural and musical richness. 'But the Eisteddfod is crucially important not just to this area but the whole of Wales. It's also a truly an international event, something that really puts us on the world map.' (Image: Llangollen Eisteddfod) Ms Gittins added: 'The Eisteddfod not only has huge cultural capital but is also good for travel and tourism to this area. And North East Wales is always ready to rise to the occasion each year. "Our restaurants, cafes and hotels are always ready to welcome people and, especially in Llangollen, they make sure that people are welcomed back again and again. 'People come on a personal pilgrimage each year to see beautiful Llangollen and its Eisteddfod. 'The team work very hard to put the festival on. "There's a huge amount of organisation that goes into it, so fundraising and sustainability is very important and I, along with Ken Skates the Senedd Member for this area, was happy to play my small part in helping to secure funding for the Eisteddfod from the Arts Council of Wales.'
AU Financial Review
10-06-2025
- Business
- AU Financial Review
Don't let rich old men tell you the planned super tax is good
Last fortnight in The Sydney Morning Herald, Ross Gittins praised the Albanese government's proposed changes to superannuation taxes, declaring: 'Don't let rich old men tell you the planned super tax is terribly bad'. His argument essentially boiled down to this: don't listen to the critics, just trust me (a different rich old man). According to Gittins, this reform is about fairness. But a closer look reveals deeper problems with the policy that should concern all Australians, especially young people just entering the workforce.
Hypebeast
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Tomas Gittins Takes Us Behind His Debut Solo Exhibition, 'Pursuit of Joy'
For Manchester-basedTomas Gittins, art making is an act composed of instinct and intention in equal measure. Gittins is just one artist leading the charge of a promising class of up-and-coming talent in the UK – a cohort opting for a more raw, unfiltered dialogue with the world at large, often going beyond the traditional white-walled space and into on-the-ground pockets of culture. Only six months in, 2025 has already been a banner year for the Brazilian-English artist, locking in a range of fashion and artistic projects under his belt. Now, theToxic Artsstarlet is coming back together the gallery, this time, gearing up to openPursuit of Joy, his debut solo exhibition. Staged in the heart of Soho, Gittins lands in London with a fresh crop of his signature face paintings — all of which have sold out days before opening doors. Alongside the works on view,Pursuit of Joyalso marks his first step into footwear. In collaboration withSalomon Sportstyle, he brings a sketchbook twist to the classicXT-6's. With a duet of monochromatic characters stretched across the side panels and stars that kiss the heel, thecustom, one-of-one pairwill be given to a visitor on June 6. Additionally, a special, screen-printed Gore-Tex jacket will be making an appearance, as well as a three limited-edition t-shirt giveaway for the first 100 visitors. Rather than a final stop, Gittins envisions his canvases as captures of feeling in-flux. 'Every character I make is a reflection of those feelings trapped inside. When I walk away from a canvas, I know a piece is done when I look at it and it's looking back at me,' he told Hypeart. 'I do art to make myself feel whole.' Embarking on this new era and road to joy, the artist takes us along for the ride. Ahead of the opening, Gittins walks us through pre-show feels, the ever-evolving UK creative landscape and what it's like to be an artist on the rise. The exhibition will be on view in London on June 6. 'My paintings evolve as people — we're all slowly just coming into the final image of what we'd like to be.' Can you describe the origins of your mantra 'The Joy Must Grow' and how it informed the title of this first solo,Pursuit of Joy? I started with works on paper and would sell them for £30. It led me to make larger pieces and over time, this expansion of scale — and joy — gave me the confidence to work with canvases. 'The Joy Must Grow' is about spreading how it makes me feel into the masses and then building my joy through this ethos. This show is really a benchmark for me. It's a way to say, 'This is what I am.' I love what I do and to be able to share it — that's my pursuit of joy and it will only get bigger. This is also your first time designing footwear. How did this collaboration with Salomon come about? Any surprises you encountered along the way? I'm a big runner and I love Salomon. My friend bought some of their shoes and I kept the box to make a drawing. I texted a picture of it to someone from Salomon and they offered me a pair of shoes. Since then, we've been able to form a really natural friendship and partnership, which has allowed me to get to this point. I still can't believe it. I had an initial drawing I made by hand, but had no idea how I was going to get it on the shoe, so I went to a sneaker guy for some help. They turned out so good, I'm really happy with it. It's one of those things where you close your eyes and just see an image of what you want: something that is truly me. Can you walk us through your XT-6 design and your decision to add these embellishments rather than redesign it entirely? I wanted to make it so that when you stand, my characters look at each other, and wanted to put as much as myself on a shoe without making it too garish. Something bold and recognizable, but also something that seamlessly fit with the design. That's how the faces come across, and I just love the star. It's so cute on the back. The last time we spoke with you, you mentioned that your practice was shaped by the solitude of living in Cape Town. Since your return to England, how has your creative practice, or your emotional connection to it, evolved? From the time I came back, I started to hone in on how I wanted my work to be perceived. I wanted people to look my pieces, recognize it as mine and just feel things within them. My paintings aren't just one layer. I'll probably paint like seven faces on top of one another. If you ever get to see my pieces in person, you'll see the layers of faces that passed through beforehand, and it's like my paintings evolve as people — we're all slowly just coming into the final image of what we'd like to be. What keeps me motivated is just making my drawings grow. I've got to wake up and feel the fire and just see where my future takes me. As someone navigating the UK arts scene firsthand, what shifts have you noticed as an emerging artist? How does the London scene compare to Manchester's? It's all about going out there, making connections and working on stuff that's true to you. Right now, it's a lot of brand work. I love working with Salomon because it's very me, and by doing a project like this, it propels me in these different directions that help me navigate the scene. It's also about tapping into all these different pockets and utilizing everything within the UK scene. We're a small nation, so everything's quite accessible if you're willing to seek it out. With Manchester, we're sort of new to the art scene. Gallery presence is still growing, and it's coming along nicely. There's really a real push for young Manchester artists because we're seeing a lot of potential and now people have a better understanding of how you can make it through art. What is the synergy like between yourself and Toxic Arts? They operate very uniquely in the way that they give artists so much trust and agency to showcase their work authentically. It's been such a breath of fresh air because I'm not a businessman, I just love to paint. Toxic Arts gives me the opportunity to focus on creating without pigeonholing me or stunting my abilities. They don't have an in-person gallery space, but every time they do a show, it's all about bringing you into their world. They've entrusted me with the belief of what I want to do, so it feels more like working with friends that want to see me reach my potential and really do that as well. What do you hope the audience walks away from your show with?I want people to come in and see my work and feel a connection to what I've built, especially something that's as recognizable as faces. A lot of people have said my work feels quite nostalgic. As long as it evokes a feeling or a memory, I'm happy with just that little bit of connection. That's all I want — for people to see the character in the piece and not just the 2D image. What's been keeping you motivated, excited or inspired these days?When I started making art, I realized this is what I'm going to be doing. It's what makes me smile when I wake up and excited to start my day. What keeps me motivated is just making my drawings grow. I've got to wake up and feel the fire and just see where my future takes me.
