Page 5888 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 7 December 2011
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“Billions of dollars could be made available for the public over the next four years if the Gillard government adopted measures proposed by the Greens to raise revenue fairly and reduce distortions in the tax system,” Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said …
He went on to say:
If the Government is determined to achieve a budget surplus arbitrarily in one particular year for political purposes there are better ways of doing so than cutting community and environmental programs … There should not be job losses or cutbacks in delivering services.
The Greens propose measures which, according to official Treasury costings, could provide $9 billion more for the public purse over the forward estimates, largely from the mostly foreign-owned resources sector which is reaping windfall gains not shared across the country—and not adequately taxed under current measures.
The media release goes on to say:
Abolishing the following fossil fuel subsidies would help to re-balance the budget. The Greens’ recommendations to Treasurer Wayne Swan include:
• Removing the fuel tax credit for the mining industry, so they pay the same fuel tax as ordinary customers. Abolishing the 38c per litre discount would mean a further $1.8 billion in 2012-13, and $5.4 billion over the forward estimates;
• Ensuring condensate (a light oil extracted from gas) is taxed fairly would increase revenue $550 million in 2012-13, and $1.9 billion over the forward estimates; and
• Removing the immediate deduction for exploration and prospecting expenditure associated with mining and quarrying, saving $90 million in 2012-13 and around $500 million over the forward estimates.
These measures would mean there should be no need for public service job losses or cutbacks in delivering services …
He went on to say:
Another measure that would favour those who need a leg-up in an increasingly two speed economy, rather than the already wealthy resources sector, is the Greens’ plan to scrap the tax cuts for big business and replace it with a 5% tax cut for small businesses—the nation’s biggest employer.
The final point of my amendment is that both the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition should again endeavour to convince their colleagues that public sector bashing and cuts to Canberra jobs are not the answer. The public service provide vital services for the community. They are not just there for fun; we have the public service because we need them, because they add to our community. Without them, the government of the country simply would not function.
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