Australian Politics Forum - Gary Stevenson: "Tax the Mega Rich"

freediver

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Re: Gary Stevenson: "Tax the Mega Rich"
Reply #60 - May 12^th, 2026 at 8:12pm

MeisterEckhart wrote on May 12^th, 2026 at 8:09pm:

freediver wrote on May 12^th, 2026 at 8:02pm:

Quote:

But what is unreasonable about limiting mega wealth that can and does damage democratic process?

It doesn't "damage democratic processes". It damages the economy, by changing the way people invest money. People will go to great lengths to avoid this tax, and it will always be in a way that reduces investment in the country's future.

"Not unreasonable, in a way that you can comprehend" is not exactly a sound reason to do something.

So, the mega-rich can't and don't damage democratic process, eh!

Do at least try to keep up Meister. I was answering the question you actually asked, stupid as it was. If you want to ask a different question, ask it. Believe it or not, it really is that hard to figure out what you are trying to say. Most of the time I doubt you are even aware yourself.

Are you saying we should deliberately try to make rich people poor as a way of defending democracy from them?

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Leroy

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Re: Gary Stevenson: "Tax the Mega Rich"
Reply #61 - May 12^th, 2026 at 8:13pm

MeisterEckhart wrote on May 12^th, 2026 at 8:09pm:

freediver wrote on May 12^th, 2026 at 8:02pm:

Quote:

But what is unreasonable about limiting mega wealth that can and does damage democratic process?

It doesn't "damage democratic processes". It damages the economy, by changing the way people invest money. People will go to great lengths to avoid this tax, and it will always be in a way that reduces investment in the country's future.

"Not unreasonable, in a way that you can comprehend" is not exactly a sound reason to do something.

So, the mega-rich can't and don't damage democratic process, eh!

We can see with Trump what the mega-rich can do. JD Vance owes his vice presidency to Peter Thiel.

What you offer is 'it can never harm the democratic process' and 'it'll never work'.

Unlike Kamala who thoroughly deserved her VP and earned her nomination for president.

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MeisterEckhart

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Re: Gary Stevenson: "Tax the Mega Rich"
Reply #62 - May 12^th, 2026 at 8:17pm

freediver wrote on May 12^th, 2026 at 8:12pm:

Are you saying we should deliberately try to make rich people poor as a way of defending democracy from them?

The usual switcheroo from you...

Have you ever debated someone except those in your head?

Limiting mega-wealth is not a reference to impoverishing them... but you know that already.

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freediver

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Re: Gary Stevenson: "Tax the Mega Rich"
Reply #63 - May 12^th, 2026 at 8:21pm

It's a simple question Meister.

Are you saying we should deliberately try to make rich people poorer as a way of defending democracy from them?

If not, what exactly are you trying to say? If you are merely Gary Stevenson's puppet and you don't understand what you are saying, just say so.

Here I was thinking you were talking economics, but this is a whole new level of bizarre.

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MeisterEckhart

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Re: Gary Stevenson: "Tax the Mega Rich"
Reply #64 - May 12^th, 2026 at 8:24pm

freediver wrote on May 12^th, 2026 at 8:21pm:

It's a simple question Meister.

Are you saying we should deliberately try to make rich people poorer as a way of defending democracy from them?

If not, what exactly are you trying to say? If you are merely Gary Stevenson's puppet and you don't understand what you are saying, just say so.

More switcheroo. Do you ever get tired of your teenage debating tactics?

I'm referring to what Garyn Stevenson claims... that there should be a limit to the amount of wealth/assets any one person can own...

Feel free to quote where I claim the mega-rich should be impoverished...

More to the point... indicate where Gary Stevenson makes that claim.

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Bobby.

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Re: Gary Stevenson: "Tax the Mega Rich"
Reply #65 - May 12^th, 2026 at 8:30pm

MeisterEckhart wrote on May 12^th, 2026 at 8:11pm:

Bobby. wrote on May 12^th, 2026 at 8:07pm:

freediver wrote on May 12^th, 2026 at 8:02pm:

Quote:

But what is unreasonable about limiting mega wealth that can and does damage democratic process?

It doesn't "damage democratic processes". It damages the economy, by changing the way people invest money.

People will go to great lengths to avoid this tax,

and it will always be in a way that reduces investment in the country's future.

"Not unreasonable, in a way that you can comprehend" is not exactly a sound reason to do something.

The rich are leaving:

[]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAqvKD9SUZc[]

Back with your latest boyfriend, eh!

Who is 'Adam'? Do you know? Is he really rich at all? Has he really left Australia?

Do you ever get tired of your teenage debating tactics? Roll Eyes

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freediver

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Re: Gary Stevenson: "Tax the Mega Rich"
Reply #66 - May 12^th, 2026 at 8:31pm

Quote:

I'm referring to what Garyn Stevenson claims... that there should be a limit to the amount of wealth/assets any one person can own...

What should the limit be Meister?

And do you agree with his claims, or are you merely sharing them to point out what a moron he is?

And again, it is not a difficult question: Are you saying we should deliberately try to make rich people poorer as a way of defending democracy from them?

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People who can't distinguish between etymology and entomology bug me in ways I cannot put into words.

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MeisterEckhart Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 17122 Gender:	Re: Gary Stevenson: "Tax the Mega Rich" Reply #67 - May 12^th, 2026 at 8:32pm Bobby. wrote on May 12^th, 2026 at 8:30pm: Do you ever get tired of your teenage debating tactics? That wasn't a tactic... that was a dig at your multi-posting the same video of your latest crush. What do you know of 'Adam'?
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MeisterEckhart

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Re: Gary Stevenson: "Tax the Mega Rich"
Reply #68 - May 12^th, 2026 at 8:35pm

freediver wrote on May 12^th, 2026 at 8:31pm:

Quote:

I'm referring to what Garyn Stevenson claims... that there should be a limit to the amount of wealth/assets any one person can own...

And again, it is not a difficult question: Are you saying we should deliberately try to make rich people poorer as a way of defending democracy from them?

Slight deflection in your switcheroo now... (thought you'd slip that in, eh!) but still maintaining an emotive word for teenage rhetorical effect.

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MeisterEckhart

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Re: Gary Stevenson: "Tax the Mega Rich"
Reply #69 - May 12^th, 2026 at 8:39pm

freediver wrote on May 12^th, 2026 at 8:31pm:

Quote:

I'm referring to what Garyn Stevenson claims... that there should be a limit to the amount of wealth/assets any one person can own...

What should the limit be Meister?

And do you agree with his claims, or are you merely sharing them to point out what a moron he is?

Well, that's the devil in the detail...

Rory Stewart recently took a shot at him by claiming Stevenson had no academic economics background... Had to retract and apologise, of course.

And it might boil down to: when is a heap just a pile?

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freediver

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Re: Gary Stevenson: "Tax the Mega Rich"
Reply #70 - May 13^th, 2026 at 5:43am

MeisterEckhart wrote on May 12^th, 2026 at 8:35pm:

freediver wrote on May 12^th, 2026 at 8:31pm:

Quote:

I'm referring to what Garyn Stevenson claims... that there should be a limit to the amount of wealth/assets any one person can own...

And again, it is not a difficult question: Are you saying we should deliberately try to make rich people poorer as a way of defending democracy from them?

Slight deflection in your switcheroo now... (thought you'd slip that in, eh!) but still maintaining an emotive word for teenage rhetorical effect.

Are you capable of giving a straight answer to a simple question Meister? Feel free to rephrase the question into one that is less emotional for you, if that is what it takes. I don't know how to dance around all your trigger words, and I apologise if my efforts so far have only added to your confusion and emotional distress.

Also, I understand that you could not come up with something like this yourself, but we still do not know whether you actually agree with Stevenson, or are merely pointing out for us what a moron he is. Which is it?

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« Last Edit: May 13^th, 2026 at 6:14am by freediver »

People who can't distinguish between etymology and entomology bug me in ways I cannot put into words.

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MeisterEckhart

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Re: Gary Stevenson: "Tax the Mega Rich"
Reply #71 - May 13^th, 2026 at 6:48am

freediver wrote on May 13^th, 2026 at 5:43am:

MeisterEckhart wrote on May 12^th, 2026 at 8:35pm:

freediver wrote on May 12^th, 2026 at 8:31pm:

Quote:

I'm referring to what Garyn Stevenson claims... that there should be a limit to the amount of wealth/assets any one person can own...

And again, it is not a difficult question: Are you saying we should deliberately try to make rich people poorer as a way of defending democracy from them?

Slight deflection in your switcheroo now... (thought you'd slip that in, eh!) but still maintaining an emotive word for teenage rhetorical effect.

Are you capable of giving a straight answer to a simple question Meister? Feel free to rephrase the question into one that is less emotional for you, if that is what it takes. I don't know how to dance around all your trigger words, and I apologise if my efforts so far have only added to your confusion and emotional distress.

Also, I understand that you could not come up with something like this yourself, but we still do not know whether you actually agree with Stevenson, or are merely pointing out for us what a moron he is. Which is it?

Using the royal 'we' now eh! Just like the Queen.

Well, I doubt you have a son… If you did, you’d have recognised in his teen years what you are in your middle age… except the effeminate bits, I guess.

A straight answer, eh! To what? That Stevenson’s aim is to make rich people poor? Did he say that?

Now, rephrase your question commensurate with Stevenson’s point… there’s a good nutjob.

Do you still collect marbles, or have you lost them?

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MeisterEckhart Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 17122 Gender:	Re: Gary Stevenson: "Tax the Mega Rich" Reply #72 - May 13^th, 2026 at 7:11am Stevenson's goal, I'm guessing, is to stop asset wealth from accumulating in the hands of the few faster than democratic societies can tax, regulate, or politically resist it.
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lee

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Re: Gary Stevenson: "Tax the Mega Rich"
Reply #73 - May 13^th, 2026 at 2:37pm

MeisterEckhart wrote on May 12^th, 2026 at 5:23pm:

The Minerals Resource Rent Tax (MRRT)—a federal tax often referred to as extra royalties or a "mining tax" on iron ore and coal—was formally scrapped in Australia in 2014, which was introduced in 2012 by the Gillard Government but was repealed by the Abbott Government following a 2013 election commitment to abolish it.

"Labor's Mineral Resources Rent Tax (MRRT) had failed to deliver, and the government blamed falling commodity prices"

"Key reasons the Mineral Resource Rent Tax (MRRT) failed in Australia:

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=lm&q=the+mrrt+failed&ia=web

Political opposition and loss of support: The government that introduced the MRRT lost credibility and parliamentary support; repeal became politically feasible once opposition parties and some crossbenchers campaigned against it.

Strong industry resistance: Major miners lobbied vigorously, arguing the tax harmed investment, competitiveness and jobs; this messaging resonated with voters and MPs.

Perceived complexity and uncertainty: The MRRT’s rules (valuation of royalties, uplift adjustments, loss carry‑forwards, and accounting treatment) were seen as complicated, producing uncertainty for companies and advisers.

Narrow base and limited revenue: Forecasts of revenue proved unreliable; actual receipts were lower than projected, weakening the political case for keeping the tax.

Administrative and compliance concerns: The ATO and industry highlighted practical difficulties in administering and complying with the MRRT, increasing perceived costs for both government and companies.

Economic timing and market conditions: Commodity price volatility (especially for iron ore and coal) reduced the apparent justification for a new resource rent tax during downturns.

Messaging and policy design failures: The government struggled to clearly explain who would pay and why, and failed to build broad public consensus or offsetting measures to neutralize political backlash."

From AI

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MeisterEckhart

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Re: Gary Stevenson: "Tax the Mega Rich"
Reply #74 - May 13^th, 2026 at 2:45pm

lee wrote on May 13^th, 2026 at 2:37pm:

MeisterEckhart wrote on May 12^th, 2026 at 5:23pm:

The Minerals Resource Rent Tax (MRRT)—a federal tax often referred to as extra royalties or a "mining tax" on iron ore and coal—was formally scrapped in Australia in 2014, which was introduced in 2012 by the Gillard Government but was repealed by the Abbott Government following a 2013 election commitment to abolish it.

"Labor's Mineral Resources Rent Tax (MRRT) had failed to deliver, and the government blamed falling commodity prices"

"Key reasons the Mineral Resource Rent Tax (MRRT) failed in Australia:

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=lm&q=the+mrrt+failed&ia=web

Political opposition and loss of support: The government that introduced the MRRT lost credibility and parliamentary support; repeal became politically feasible once opposition parties and some crossbenchers campaigned against it.

Strong industry resistance: Major miners lobbied vigorously, arguing the tax harmed investment, competitiveness and jobs; this messaging resonated with voters and MPs.

Perceived complexity and uncertainty: The MRRT’s rules (valuation of royalties, uplift adjustments, loss carry‑forwards, and accounting treatment) were seen as complicated, producing uncertainty for companies and advisers.

Narrow base and limited revenue: Forecasts of revenue proved unreliable; actual receipts were lower than projected, weakening the political case for keeping the tax.

Administrative and compliance concerns: The ATO and industry highlighted practical difficulties in administering and complying with the MRRT, increasing perceived costs for both government and companies.

Economic timing and market conditions: Commodity price volatility (especially for iron ore and coal) reduced the apparent justification for a new resource rent tax during downturns.

Messaging and policy design failures: The government struggled to clearly explain who would pay and why, and failed to build broad public consensus or offsetting measures to neutralize political backlash."

From AI

And the nearly 25 million that the mining industry collectively sunk into discreditation, which is why its abolition became a viable election issue.

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