There is always an optimum Level

Simon Cowan

"Our projected level of spending is unsustainable with our current tax base."

Contrary to LNP neo-liberal drivel, society does exist, and the electorate knows what sort of society they want to live in. This is not the harsh society of the American socio-economic experiment - the end result and ultimate inevitability of LNP policy - but a society where the government provides services which improve it.

If we accept the truth of this statement then either spending must be cut or the tax base or level must increase. The blind lunatic direction of LNP policy sees only cuts to spending as the only solution, and so protects their vested support.

Taxes need to be raised to provide the services we want our government to provide. These sevices have a price determined by the market.This means taxing those who can afford to pay without dropping into hardship. The level of spending has crossed a threshold above which a structural deficit is enmeshed in the budget.

A rebalance  of the income-business tax level is required to maintain services at their present level. This will require an increase in progressive taxation rates for those who can best afford it. Only a Greens government has the guts to do this, judging from recent rhetoric.

What a mess.