Lisa Jones wrote on Feb 4
th, 2016 at 9:28pm:
Ahhh...here is the GST topic.
Ok.
Quick question.
Is there anyone here who is happy with the proposed changes to the GST? If so, why?
No, because many other options for reining in the defeicit have not been considered.
* Multinational tax avoidance - find and close various loopholes
* Capital gains tax concessions - axe the concession
* Superannuation tax concessions - reduce them (Implement the Greens' policy here)
* Negative gearing - axe it
* Private health insurance rebate - axe it
* Diesel subsidy for the mining industry - axe it
If these were done (plus one or two more not listed), $50 billion or more could be raised. If so, the deficit would become a surplus and there would be no need to hike the GST. Australian businesses would be more competitive because they would be competing more fairly with tax-dodging multinationals, services could be fully funded, and funds would be made available to offer tax cuts as well.
And the tax cuts I would implement:
* Adjust tax brackets for bracket creep
* Cut the 32.5 cent tax bracket to 30 cents
* Index tax brackets to inflation, and so abolish bracket creep
* If businesses forego various corporate tax breaks, tax concessions and subsidies, these funds should be returned as a cut to the corporate tax rate with some retained for budget balancing. A corporate tax rate of 25% is achievable without making other people pay for it.