The land supply equation in Australia - flashing red danger signals for years - has finally come to the attention of federal Treasurer Scott Morrison, who is charged with the task of advancing national prosperity. He may even be prompted into action. Notoriously...
BLOG: canberra
The Tax Men from Mars landed in ACT – and were asked to stay
Saturday's Australian Financial Review always needs a nice read and today it is the ACT government's progressive removal of Stamp Duty that increased council rates on a million dollar property from $2200 a few years ago to $3000. What a terrible thing to do! Mather,...
The First Interval – Evaluating ACT’s Land Value Tax Transition
; The First Interval – Evaluating ACT’s Land Value Tax Transition By Dr Cameron Murray Prosper Australia commissioned Dr Murray to examine the early benefits of ACT’s 20 year process replacing conveyancing stamp duty with land tax. He will present his calculations and...
Malervescence: a government determined on tax deform
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has produced so many thought bubbles on tax reform he makes fresh beer look flat. His latest effervescence is for the states to levy their own income tax on top of the Commonwealth take. He needs to be warned: Be careful what you wish...
“How to Simplify Government” with Phil Anderson
Presenter: Phil Anderson When: Friday March 18th, Where: Level 1/ 64 Harcourt St, North Melbourne Time: 6.30pm Tickets $25 After studying history’s lessons for forty years, Phillip J Anderson has come to one conclusion: GOVERNMENT HAS TO GO. If you want to know why...
Do we at last have an Infrastructure Prime Minister?
Over the weekend, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull delighting Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk by announcing a federal contribution of $95 million for the Gold Coast light rail project. Journalists have leapt on this new policy stance, different from the...
Another day, another parliamentary inquiry
The House of Representatives economic committee inquiry into Home Ownership was opened with fanfare and encouraging comments by chair John Alexander (Liberal, Bennelong): "Some have said we are on track to becoming a Kingdom where the Lords own all the land and the...
12km of cost-shifting – onto working stiffs like you
The Property Council of Australia was out again yesterday, sternly defending the land from pesky taxes and ‘value capture’. Well, their land. The ACT branch said its members "applaud the ACT government's vision" for the 12-kilometre tram linking the city and...
ACT landowners are revolting
The Property Council of Australia is ‘vehemently opposed’ to Canberra’s special land levy to part-fund the $600 million light rail project from Gungahlin to the city, calling it “just another property tax in disguise”.
Goody Goody Goody!
Sometimes, through the smoke and fireworks of the national debate a political commentator sees the path forward and points the way. Today in the Australian Financial Review, Alan Mitchell takes a far-sighted approach to the crisis provoked by the Abbott government in...