Tax cuts, bribery

... and corruption perhaps?

I am not going to try and work out who is promising what because it will not make a great deal of difference in the end. If it was not so serious it would be funny.  The mob who want to retain power are promising cuts to this and that and cheaper this and that. The mob who want to gain power are promising other cuts and cheaper this and that. Of course they are.

I was back to thinking how much I would like to have a shot at reform of our tax system. It is much too complicated. There are three levels of taxation and there is the GST (goods and services tax) which might be considered to be part of one level or it might be considered to be something else.

Our local or council/shire taxes are intended to pay for things like rubbish collection, footpaths, trimming the trees and keeping the median strips tidy. It is also intended to pay for the library services and the ovals on which sport is played. 

Our current Mayor also likes to use the funds for political purposes such as renaming things with "culturally significant" names.  I think rubbish collection is vital. I put a paw around the library doors frequently and look after a group which meets there.  

I have no time at all for renaming things for the sake of renaming things. Apart from anything else I am almost certain that they are not being correctly and accurately named. Such names are harder to pronounce, spell and remember. I have met almost nobody who agrees with the policy to "acknowledge" the local people. Those who do know anything about it are quick to point out that the language being used is a plains language, not a hills language. In other words not even the correct language is being used. And all this renaming costs money which could be spent on other things. The local council would like more money to be spent on such things.

Given the chance to reform the tax system there are things like that I would not want to see taxpayer money spent on. It would be better spent making sure that the tripping hazards on the paths to those places were repaired. 

This is not to say I believe that no money should be spent on cultural activities. There was an event in the memorial park adjacent to the library last weekend. It was not organised by the council but by a service organisation. The council put something into it and of course gave permission for the area to be used for that purpose. The event was an opportunity for local social, service and sporting groups to make their presence known and try to encourage people to participate.  

It was a good use of council money and a local park. One of the good things about the event was that there was something there for everyone in the community. Of course we cannot cater for all people all of the time. Some groups need funding more than others. Some groups do need extra help. It can be very wise to see that young people are catered for and that the elderly get a bus service to do their shopping. At a local level it is perhaps easier to do this.

But at the federal level I am left puzzling over "help to buy" home schemes which benefit very few and funds towards batteries for solar systems which will benefit only those who can afford the rest of the cost. I wonder too at cutting the debt of those students who have not yet repaid their loans when others who have already done it are getting nothing. I suppose it can be said that a cut to fuel excise benefits everyone - but that is only supposed to last twelve months. The immediate tax cut being offered will only benefit those who are actually paying tax and will vary too. 

Find me something that will benefit everyone, especially those who need it most and might feel as if the election isn't all about tax cuts, bribery...and corruption.