Tag tax reform

The Sovereign State of Pigovia

Libertarians and conservatives denounce Pigovian taxation because it would serious decrease profits for those doing the cost externalisation e.g. the wealthy and big business. Because uncorrected external effects are so rampant and thus a sign of the grave inefficiencies of capitalism, they have to be denied to even exist.

Queensland’s Retrospective Theft

  Midnight Wednesday, the Queensland Parliament amended the Local Government Act and the City of Brisbane Act to legalise the theft of around $2.3 billion in differential rates charged by 20 councils on non-resident owners over the last twenty years.…

The eternal sunshine of the empty mind

The Queensland Supreme Court has struck out the differential rate some Queensland councils charge investors over and above residents on similar properties.  Councils may be forced to pay it all back.  $300 million a year is in doubt. This landmark…

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…