The economic impact of stamp duty, a study by Deloitte Access Economics for the Property Council of Australia released yesterday, finds Australia’s GDP would increase by $3.3 billion and real consumption by $9.7 billion if conveyancing stamp duty was replaced…
The AFR’s economics editor Alan Mitchell has taken a Treasury briefing. He is out this morning offering all sorts of reasons why a broader, higher GST is a brilliant master-stroke that deserves universal applause. He knows, we all know, a…
Economic depression for dummies Let’s say labour joins with capital and land to produce wealth, and that the locational rent of land arises as a by-product, simply from the existence of the surrounding community and its infrastructure. Say, for some…
Australians have to endure waves of disinformation around the tax reform options before us. Every vested interest in the country is sharp-elbowing for advantage and the yelps of pain are deafening. GST is a vile tax because of who pays…
Government reform is a grind. It chews up political capital and can destroy public careers in a moment. Change provokes furious responses from vested interests while those who gain are dispersed and ungrateful. WA Treasurer Mike Nahan has solved this…
Australians love to whinge about our bust federal system. It is a national sport where we stand around with hands in pockets and call out “Aorta!” “Aorta deregulate!” “Aorta fund schools! “Aorta cut taxes!” “Aorta build roads! Consider our public…
Professors John Freebairn and Miranda Stewart have penned an opinion piece today in The Age with a welcome call for state tax reform that could save taxpayers tens of billions every year. Most taxes carry deadweight losses – value destroyed…
A transcript of Professor Miranda Stewart’s presentation to the 124th Annual Henry George Commemorative Dinner. Listen as you flick through the powerpoint, then reiterate with the transcript. The Q & A is included in the audio only. Read about the…
MHR Dan Tehan (Liberal, Wannon) had an op-ed in today’s Australian Financial Review, States dragging their heels on tax reform, criticising them for clinging to very bad taxes, notably Stamp Duty on property conveyancing. “Home buyers across the country are…
The Andrews government is capping local governments rate rises to CPI after fifteen years of six per cent rises in a low inflation environment. Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins’ Fair Go Rates System, administered by the Essential Services Commission,…