The industrial revolution
It would appear John Howard is set to go out with a bang with his industrial relations reforms. Not being one to research too much into these things, I think I recall $20M being spent on the advertising campaign alone.
If the states are unsuccessful in appealing this legislation, most awards will go out the window in an event bigger than federation (whatever that is). Most existing benefits are to be preserved. Some that are plainly extortionate, like 10 days a year off for trade union training, will go out with the bath water. I struggle to respect someone who tries to defend such tripe.
And on it goes.
I’m not going to enter the whole debate, though I must admit some of the changes have made me question my own ideals.
No doubt an inefficient IR system has many indirect costs for business, however, so does taxation. Gauging by the near doubling in size of the tax manuals compared with 15 years ago, I suspect there would be a lot more gained from a simplified taxation system.
There are so many types of tax that people have entire career paths mapped out for them just in one area of taxation within the ATO. This mega department isn’t free, neither is the cost of accounting within business. AND IT DOESN’T PRODUCE A THING.
The Australian tax system needs to be stripped down and built from scratch. Even on the domestic front, the average family needs at least a cert IV in bookwork to keep track of rebates, allowances, thresholds and the rest.
So, before meddling with IR – how about tax reform?
Somehow I see ditching the monarchy will rate higher, and what was that other red-herring of Keating’s – changing our flag.
Bah.
If the states are unsuccessful in appealing this legislation, most awards will go out the window in an event bigger than federation (whatever that is). Most existing benefits are to be preserved. Some that are plainly extortionate, like 10 days a year off for trade union training, will go out with the bath water. I struggle to respect someone who tries to defend such tripe.
And on it goes.
I’m not going to enter the whole debate, though I must admit some of the changes have made me question my own ideals.
No doubt an inefficient IR system has many indirect costs for business, however, so does taxation. Gauging by the near doubling in size of the tax manuals compared with 15 years ago, I suspect there would be a lot more gained from a simplified taxation system.
There are so many types of tax that people have entire career paths mapped out for them just in one area of taxation within the ATO. This mega department isn’t free, neither is the cost of accounting within business. AND IT DOESN’T PRODUCE A THING.
The Australian tax system needs to be stripped down and built from scratch. Even on the domestic front, the average family needs at least a cert IV in bookwork to keep track of rebates, allowances, thresholds and the rest.
So, before meddling with IR – how about tax reform?
Somehow I see ditching the monarchy will rate higher, and what was that other red-herring of Keating’s – changing our flag.
Bah.
posted by Grinder at 8:11 PM
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