There are two ways we can look at it. Does The Government need more tax revenue? Yes, I think it does. Which is why those tax cuts after the last election have backfired so badly.
And do we want to pay more tax? When push comes to shove, probably not. But that’s human nature, isn’t it?
But, if we look beyond human nature - beyond gut reactions to the tax question - maybe, one day, enough people will accept that we’re just going to have to pay more tax. Like it or not.
Which is exactly what a tax lobby group is saying today.
Tax Justice Aotearoa is saying New Zealand needs a capital gains tax, an inheritance tax and a wealth tax. For several reasons.
First of all, the fuel crisis and climate change. They say the government needs more revenue to cope with these kinds of things.
The other reason it wants a capital gains tax, an inheritance tax and a wealth tax is to shift the tax burden. To get high income earners paying more tax and to get low-income earners paying less.
Tax Justice Aotearoa also says our deficits are the problem. And the problem isn’t going to be fixed until we all start paying more tax.
It says deficits limit what we can do about the fuel crisis. As The Government has said, the $50-a-week tax credits for low-to-middle income earners are as much as it can afford.
And deficits mean The Government is limited in what it can do in response to climate change.
Example: no payouts for people who have to pack up and move because of things like sea level rise.
Former Council of Trade Unions Economist Bill Rosenberg is a member of this lobby group and he says: “It’s becoming obvious governments cannot continue to function properly and do the things that people expect of them without more revenue, so it is inevitable we have to debate these things.”
And I agree with him.
But, of course, show me a politician brave enough to stand up and advocate for you and I paying more tax, and they’ll be someone with the shortest political career in history.
Because who is going to vote for that?
Maybe we will, when we realise the inevitability of it.
Yes, it’s easy to bang on about not wanting to pay more taxes because governments waste money, anyway.
But do we want the “smell of an oily rag” set-up we have at the moment?
Or, do we want a country that can afford to deal with things like oil shocks and the climate crisis?
Tax Justice Aotearoa says if that’s what we want, then the government is going to need more revenue. And i agree. Even though I don’t like the idea of paying more tax.
John MacDonald is the Canterbury Mornings host on Newstalk ZB Christchurch. This article was first published HERE
Which is exactly what a tax lobby group is saying today.
Tax Justice Aotearoa is saying New Zealand needs a capital gains tax, an inheritance tax and a wealth tax. For several reasons.
First of all, the fuel crisis and climate change. They say the government needs more revenue to cope with these kinds of things.
The other reason it wants a capital gains tax, an inheritance tax and a wealth tax is to shift the tax burden. To get high income earners paying more tax and to get low-income earners paying less.
Tax Justice Aotearoa also says our deficits are the problem. And the problem isn’t going to be fixed until we all start paying more tax.
It says deficits limit what we can do about the fuel crisis. As The Government has said, the $50-a-week tax credits for low-to-middle income earners are as much as it can afford.
And deficits mean The Government is limited in what it can do in response to climate change.
Example: no payouts for people who have to pack up and move because of things like sea level rise.
Former Council of Trade Unions Economist Bill Rosenberg is a member of this lobby group and he says: “It’s becoming obvious governments cannot continue to function properly and do the things that people expect of them without more revenue, so it is inevitable we have to debate these things.”
And I agree with him.
But, of course, show me a politician brave enough to stand up and advocate for you and I paying more tax, and they’ll be someone with the shortest political career in history.
Because who is going to vote for that?
Maybe we will, when we realise the inevitability of it.
Yes, it’s easy to bang on about not wanting to pay more taxes because governments waste money, anyway.
But do we want the “smell of an oily rag” set-up we have at the moment?
Or, do we want a country that can afford to deal with things like oil shocks and the climate crisis?
Tax Justice Aotearoa says if that’s what we want, then the government is going to need more revenue. And i agree. Even though I don’t like the idea of paying more tax.
John MacDonald is the Canterbury Mornings host on Newstalk ZB Christchurch. This article was first published HERE
8 comments:
The govt is the worst manager of our taxes they don’t need more of it they need to get better at doing more with less which is how the rest of us manage
NO MORE TAX
By all means increase taxes & implement new taxes - especially a capital gains tax. But before a single cent of that is spent, let’s agree on and implement an iron clad social contract as to where the money will be spent. Set up an independent body with overseers with veto power if any government strays away from that social contract.
NZers will support higher taxes if and when they see sensible and disciplined government spending.
Think NZ political parties will support that?
BTW, that’s how Norway with very high taxes operate from way back as I understand their system.
Government expenditure is now well over 40% of GDP. We need more tax? I don't think so, somehow. The Government is a large part of "the problem" - stagnation, debt, low productivity, not part of "the solution", which is to let kiwis off the lead and go get a better life. Less tax, less stifling regulation and central control, reward hard work, saving, initiative and entrepreneurship and personal responsibility. We've done the other stuff for over 40 years and it hasn't worked - time for change.
If the govt can allocate hundreds of thousands of dollars to playing whale song to Kauri trees it clearly doesn’t need more cash. More intelligence, yes. More tax, no.
I would learn the art of taxidermy and not hesitate to practice it on politician
or member of the "Tax Justice Aotearoa" if we EVER implement any capital gains tax, inheritance tax or wealth tax.
Or we could try and follow Norway. A country that has built its position by exporting as much oil and gas as it can pump. By using its resources to build up a fund for the future.
We do the opposite. Lock up any oil and gas. Refuse any mining. Spend vast amounts pretending we can affect climate change. Then just keep taxing and borrowing to keep the lights on.
In reality, could Maori control be any worse. They will certainly start pumping oil and digging coal and gold once they are in control.
"Tax Justice Aotearoa" just about says it all - even before they open their mouths. Lower taxes through less government is the only prescription to address our financial ills.
$4million to whale songs
Post a Comment
Thank you for joining the discussion. Breaking Views welcomes respectful contributions that enrich the debate. Please ensure your comments are not defamatory, derogatory or disruptive. We appreciate your cooperation.