Opinions
OPINION
A Fair Go for Pacific Workers: The Case for Mobility and Employer Readiness
As you enjoy the fruits of Australia’s autumn harvest, spare a thought for the hands that likely picked it. Thousands of workers from across the Pacific are currently here under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme, working hard to earn an honest living and provide a better future for their families back home.
OPINION
The absurd tax laws holding Australian charities back
What do preparing for climate disasters, preventing cruelty to animals, and building social connection have in common? Charities engaged in these activities are often locked out of receiving tax deductible donations and philanthropy.
OPINION
If you win most literary prizes, you pay tax. If you win The Block, you don't. How is this fair?
When Goorie and Koori poet Evelyn Araluen won last week’s $100,000 Victorian Prize for Literature, along with the $25,000 Indigenous Writing prize, she called on the Australian government to change the way it taxes arts prizes.
OPINION
Two prospects for huge ocean conservation gains are now within grasp – and it’s about time
Amidst the high drama of parliament this past month, a quiet but historic moment is unfolding largely unnoticed. After two decades of campaigning, several years of treaty negotiations, and a few more drafting laws, legislation has finally been tabled for Australia to join the new High Seas Treaty. This is arguably the most significant global agreement on nature protection of our generation.
OPINION
The decline in democracy: what does it mean for the generations to come?
The stereotypes of democratic decline are rigged elections or daily street chaos. However, Australia’s democratic decline is happening much more quietly, with weakening whistleblower protections and the steady expansion of laws over several years that have made protest riskier than ever.
OPINION
F1 Grand Prix: extracting private profit from a public park in Melbourne
The Melbourne F1 Grand Prix has already delivered another bill for Victorian taxpayers. The discovery of asbestos contamination during works in Albert Park has left taxpayers on the hook for a costly clean-up, adding to the already eye-watering public subsidy required to host the race. It’s a fitting prelude to an event that has spent decades running up losses for the state, and months of noise and disruption for local residents.
OPINION
'America’s Bitch': After Sept 11, Howard shackled Australia to the US. We haven’t been able to untangle ourselves since.
An extract from Amy Remeikis’ new book, Where It All Went Wrong: The Case Against John Howard’
OPINION
Darwin needs a Clean Air Act, not lucky escapes
When INPEX Australia admitted it had under-reported benzene and toluene emissions from its Ichthys LNG facility by orders of magnitude, Territorians were told we were “lucky” nothing worse happened.
OPINION
Howard’s disturbing legacy: Fear and misdirected compassion
Early on in his prime ministership, John Howard stood in front of Australia’s Indigenous leaders and told them he would not apologise for Australia’s past.
OPINION
The simple question at the heart of the capital gains tax debate: who should pay more tax, minimum-wage workers or wealthy investors?
The debate over the capital gains tax discount comes down to a very simple question: who do you think should pay more income tax? Should a high-income executive who makes a $400,000 capital gain (that is, a profit) from selling an investment property pay a higher tax rate than a full-time retail worker on minimum wage who decides to pick up a few extra shifts?
