Peter Martin, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Former treasury boss Ken Henry has fessed up to helping dumb down debates about tax and budgets to lists of winners and losers. He says what matters is what wins rather than who.
Lisa Marriott, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington and Jonathan Barrett, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
National’s tax policies have been tweaked since the election, thanks to coalition agreements with NZ First and ACT. But the plan for tax cuts seems to have survived, to the benefit of core supporters.
In our first podcast of 2024, Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor discusses the tax broken promise, where the economy is heading, falling inflation, and more.
A new review found PwC Australia had a ‘whatever it takes’ culture, making those raking in the most money ‘untouchables’. Australians need to know if that culture has infiltrated other big businesses.
Paolo Omar Cerutti, Center for International Forestry Research – World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) and Silvia Ferrari, Center for International Forestry Research – World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF)
Timber parks, where the paperwork for loads of timber is inspected, can help stem the financial losses from illegal exports.
Susan St John, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Forget wealth or capital gains taxes, a straight tax on housing equity – exempting most homeowners – would be a simple and efficient way to break the circuit of inequality.
Overseas experiences suggests a targeted system using smart cards for buying fruit and vegetables would be more effective than broad-brush changes to the tax system.
Jonathan Barrett, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
New Zealand’s tax system might be in need of updating, but Revenue Minister David Parker’s new tax legislation is unnecessarily complicated at a time when we most need clarity.
The federal government wanted to give taxpayers a couple months to prepare the year’s taxes. But as filing became more complex, the date was pushed back.
Addressing a Tax Institute event on Thursday, Henry said the Australian tax system “is not capable of raising sufficient revenue to fund the activities of government. Certainly not today. Far less at any time in the future.”