Here’s some ideas I’d like our federal representatives Sharon Bird and Stephen Jones to comment on.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Look into the rich people that use negative gearing on more than two properties and change the law.
Family trusts – politicians are always taking about changing this but nothing happens. These are two areas that only benefit the rich. Do it and stop talking about it.
Also, the minerals that come from Australia belong to Australian people. I’m not talking mining tax, I’m saying we no longer accept mining leases as belonging to individuals, they belong to Australia.
Norway found oil in the North Sea and claimed it – now their economy is $520billion in the black. The money went to the country as should happen here. And stop people who earn in the millions per year saying Australia cannot afford penalty rates for the poor people at the bottom who earn $16 an hour.
Stop the rich people saying we can’t afford to pay $20,000 a year to the poor old pensioner. People who are economically rich can well afford to get this country back in the black by paying the correct amount of tax.
Ray Jaeger, Coledale
Response to the page 4 article, ‘‘Hockey hits back at tax criticism’’ (Mercury, April 15). I accept Mr Hockey has to attend a global finance meeting, but ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange gives the impression of a little boy at a toy shop.
Get serious Mr Hockey, because this is another bad look. The Treasurer is telling Australians to accept some financial pain either with cuts to spending and/or more increased taxes.
It seems Mr Hockey is once again sending out mixed messages – how long is it going to take the Treasurer to ‘‘shape up’’ and focus? Let’s not repeat the clowning around attitude and poor sales job of the 2014 budget by Mr Hockey.
Our longest serving Treasurer Peter Costello has strongly criticised Joe Hockey and delivered a timely reminder to the Treasurer of the importance to reduce taxes and get on with reforms to help the economy.
As Mr Costello said, high taxes can be unfair taxes when they take away a person’s justly earned income and reduce the reward for effort. This creates a huge disincentive to work and creates poverty traps.
Adrian Devlin, Fairy Meadow
From previous letters I recognise that Adrian Devlin has extreme right-wing views but find it difficult to believe that even he can seriously justify the racist actions of the Reclaim Australia campaign to divide and whip up hatred within our community.
Despite this I do recognise their right to protest. However, this is a movement dominated by the national front, shooters and other fascist groups, which is obvious if you study the news coverage of participants looking to bash opponents.
These people seem to forget that they or their ancestors arrived in this country by boat and unfortunately bringing with them their own prejudices and discrimination from the mother country.
Let’s face it the only people having any genuine claim on this country are Indigenous Australians.
With respect I find Mr Devlin’s concern for the treatment of women and homosexuals as hypocritical in light of his record of sexist comments, defence of Alan Jones’ personal attack on Julia Gillard and his negative and intolerant view of gay and lesbians including his opposition to marriage equality.
Ken Bone, Lake Conjola