I’m sorry, but that is quite wrong. There has always been a range of taxes, most of which you never saw. When the primary tax was income tax the brackets were much higher, from memory up to $.71 in the dollar. The neoconservatives have progressively wiped out the brackets and lowered the rates. - ThreadSky

brucec01.bsky.social • 72 days ago

I’m sorry, but that is quite wrong. There has always been a range of taxes, most of which you never saw. When the primary tax was income tax the brackets were much higher, from memory up to $.71 in the dollar. The neoconservatives have progressively wiped out the brackets and lowered the rates.

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guido84.bsky.social•72 days ago

No that's not correct. My first pay was in 1968, only paye and provisional taxes existed then and at lower rates. As government expenditure increased more than revenue then other taxes were introduced. Only wholesale sales tax was dropped, but gst made up for it 10 fold. Welfare did not exist then

johnasydney.bsky.social•72 days ago

Yes, there's an interesting graph 2 at https://treasury.gov.au/publication/economic-roundup-winter-2006/a-brief-history-of-australias-tax-system ; originally non-income taxes dominated. While I don't like payroll tax, for Land Taxes most of economists of all stripes agree they are the least distortionary taxes. Further, our taxes are relatively low in the OECD.

guido84.bsky.social•72 days ago

Thanks so much. It's a great read! I will add that taxes must now increase considering welfare (including NDIS) is now 45% of entire expenditure budget!

johnasydney.bsky.social•72 days ago

Thanks, gracious of you to be positive about this. While we might differ - I agree with the *principle* of NDIS - I'd imagine that we both agree that it ( or at least has been, till recently ) wasteful, and could do with significant improvement in how it is managed & money spent.

guido84.bsky.social•72 days ago

I can never understand payroll tax, a tax on employment, really. That's why most companies use contractors. Btw governments outsource most services. Centerlink was once government run and has now made some service providers millionaires.

johnasydney.bsky.social•72 days ago

OK, I'll point out that I, johna am John August of Pirate Party Australia. I was involved in the preparation of a position statement on bureaucracy, which included mention of, and our support for, the CES : https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Position_Statements/Government_Bureaucracy_Rent-Seeking - vote with your preference, but maybe of interest #auspol

johnasydney.bsky.social•72 days ago

Yes, that's the CES not Centrelink, but hopefully still of interest - and I'm not trying to stop anyone from supporting their party of preference.

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