Abbott/Liberal Govt Watch

[Q.]

Surely there will be industry leaders donning the high vis and fronting the protests against the increase to fuel prices?

[bennymacca]

the thing is though, all of these measures are kind of sensible if you ask me. Raising excise and income tax is the perogative of the government, and I dont think it is outrageous that they do that.

BUT

They won the election on the back of a NO TAX policy, the core of their whole time in opposition was stop the boats, and axe the tax. So for the to now turn around and try and increase taxes is just the height of hypocrisy.

[tigerpie]

It's bizarre that a party, whose core argument against a carbon tax was an increase in fuel prices, would then raise the fuel excise.

Thought the same thing.

They just change the name of the tax.

This mob have no idea!

[woodublieve12]

we are AAA rated country, when the GFC happened our unemployment peaked at 6% compared to the USA and Europe who peaked at 12-13%...
we seem to be going on nicely.
So why do we even need a tax increases?

[Psyber]

He comes the karma bus ... he'll end up being the fall guy for all the broken promises now that he's done his job and got the coalition in with his wrecking ball.
Completely out of his depth now.

You may have a point.
I've been actively campaigning to some figures in the Liberal leadership about my view that we do have to break promises to improve the debt situation, but should be upfront about concluding that - and that MPs should show sincerity about it being a genuine crisis by taking a demonstrable hit themselves.

Only Malcolm Turnbull replied personally: "As you can imagine it isn’t possible for me to respond in a substantive manner prior the Budget which will be handed down on May 13. In the meantime I have taken your concerns on board and will share them with my colleagues and in particular with the Treasurer."

I guess that's the best I could expect at this time.

[Q.]

we seem to be going on nicely.
So why do we even need a tax increases?

Because they're pinning their re-election on returning the budget to surplus.

[Psyber]

we seem to be going on nicely.
So why do we even need a tax increases?

Because they're pinning their re-election on returning the budget to surplus.

Yes that was Paul Keating's strategy too.
Make the promises, break them early and ride out the flack, give out goodies late in the term, then make generous promises again for the next election.
He just didn't quite pull off the recovery phase the last time.

[mighty_tiger_79]

He comes the karma bus ... he'll end up being the fall guy for all the broken promises now that he's done his job and got the coalition in with his wrecking ball.
Completely out of his depth now.

You may have a point.
I've been actively campaigning to some figures in the Liberal leadership about my view that we do have to break promises to improve the debt situation, but should be upfront about concluding that - and that MPs should show sincerity about it being a genuine crisis by taking a demonstrable hit themselves.

Only Malcolm Turnbull replied personally: "As you can imagine it isn’t possible for me to respond in a substantive manner prior the Budget which will be handed down on May 13. In the meantime I have taken your concerns on board and will share them with my colleagues and in particular with the Treasurer."

I guess that's the best I could expect at this time.

well we know who the real mover and shaker is behind the scenes for the LIberal Party, especially if Malcolm gets the leadership....

[Jimmy_041]

He comes the karma bus ... he'll end up being the fall guy for all the broken promises now that he's done his job and got the coalition in with his wrecking ball.
Completely out of his depth now.

You may have a point.
I've been actively campaigning to some figures in the Liberal leadership about my view that we do have to break promises to improve the debt situation, but should be upfront about concluding that - and that MPs should show sincerity about it being a genuine crisis by taking a demonstrable hit themselves.

Only Malcolm Turnbull replied personally: "As you can imagine it isn’t possible for me to respond in a substantive manner prior the Budget which will be handed down on May 13. In the meantime I have taken your concerns on board and will share them with my colleagues and in particular with the Treasurer."

I guess that's the best I could expect at this time.

well we know who the real mover and shaker is behind the scenes for the LIberal Party, especially if Malcolm gets the leadership....

Psyber?

[Jimmy_041]

It's bizarre that a party, whose core argument against a carbon tax was an increase in fuel prices, would then raise the fuel excise.

and also at the same time ditch the mining and carbon taxes, which was a pretty sensible way to raise some revenue (not to mention the intended environmental benefits) whilst keeping the hit to the hip pocket of the average punter as low as possible.

I guess being at the beck and call of big business at the expense of Joe Average IS a liberal core value though

Well, you do get to keep the Carbon Tax compensation to pay for the increases, plus, the "average punter" received a higher % than the wealthier in this disguised wealth redistribution tax

[bennymacca]

You do realise it was an interim scheme until an ETS was in place?

[gossipgirl]

I am suprised the libs havent come out and said we arent increasing taxes but increasing negative refunds. Tony Abbott could star in an australian version of yes minister

[Psyber]

He comes the karma bus ... he'll end up being the fall guy for all the broken promises now that he's done his job and got the coalition in with his wrecking ball.
Completely out of his depth now.

You may have a point.
I've been actively campaigning to some figures in the Liberal leadership about my view that we do have to break promises to improve the debt situation, but should be upfront about concluding that - and that MPs should show sincerity about it being a genuine crisis by taking a demonstrable hit themselves.

Only Malcolm Turnbull replied personally: "As you can imagine it isn’t possible for me to respond in a substantive manner prior the Budget which will be handed down on May 13. In the meantime I have taken your concerns on board and will share them with my colleagues and in particular with the Treasurer."

I guess that's the best I could expect at this time.

well we know who the real mover and shaker is behind the scenes for the LIberal Party, especially if Malcolm gets the leadership....

Psyber?

Well I did get a hug, and a kiss on the cheek, from Isobel Redmond at a function last night.
Perhaps that means my worth in the party is beginning to be recognised...

[dedja]

That's only because everyone else has deserted her ...

[Psyber]

That's only because everyone else has deserted her ...

But she won her seat for the fourth time without any need to consider preferences...

[dedja]

No, within her party ...

[mighty_tiger_79]

I hope Psyber isn't bringing the site into disrepute by attending such events and conducting himself in such a manner with Isobel...

[mighty_tiger_79]

Its the budget we have to have

[Sorry Dude]

we seem to be going on nicely.
So why do we even need a tax increases?

Because they're pinning their re-election on returning the budget to surplus.

Yes that was Paul Keating's strategy too.
Make the promises, break them early and ride out the flack, give out goodies late in the term, then make generous promises again for the next election.
He just didn't quite pull off the recovery phase the last time.

The worrying part is that the people who voted this government in will forget about this and in 3 1/2 years time vote them back in again. If they do a good job with the South Road works it will go a long way to helping their cause IMO.

[woodublieve12]

$240 million on chaplain programs for schools!!! Are you sure???