What would happen if?

[Simon_Nesbit]

Having a discussion with my father after the latest sensationalism journal. He is convinced that the following would work, even going to the point of producing figures based on GDP averages and some such. It's so simple I cannot believe it would work.

Ignoring the massive upheavals (and $$$$ million advertising budgets), would this work?

Clean Slate, ALL personal, company and business tax rates reduced to 0%, ALL excise reduced to 0%, All other government taxes reduced to 0%. No tax returns.

ALL Employee benefits, minimum standards, etc abolished. Up to Employer/Employee/Employee Union to negotiate.

GST raised to 40% on ALL goods, ALL services. No Exceptions.

Legalise, legislate and monitor 'recreational' drugs.
"Death Tax" (maybe renamed! ) of additional 50% introduced on Cigarettes, Alcohol, 'recreational' Drugs.
"Import Tax" of 40% on any goods entering the country to match GST (one not both).

"Poverty Pension Coupons" Rather than receiving a $ value, and means tested, etc. Every australian citizen receives them. Perhaps a 'smart card' is the modern version?

Used For: Public Transport (unlimited, including domestic flights, train, tram, buses, ferries, etc), Medical Care (unlimited GP, Hospital, Necessary Surgery/Testing), Food** (Bread, Milk, Water, Fruit, Vegetable, Meat), Electricity (including heating), Telephone (pay for calls), Education (including University), Accomodation (limited to 80% of regions 'market rental')

** Necessities only

To receive 'PPC', must be:
Australian Citizen (born and bred, or naturalised)
Fully Employed (>30 hours per week work, school or training unless unable through disability, or combination thereof)
Retired (>50).

PPC is set as a minimum survivable limit, and business claim rebates (like they do now with GST) from the Government for supplying those goods/services.

I realise there's a lot there, and more likely than not this will be a dreaded "1000 views, 0 replies" thread, but it's been bugging me, and just putting it out there.

Shoot it through of holes.

Please.

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

(Yay got a reply...does that count?)

Forgot the biggie.

No mortgages. No interest rates. No loans. No Superannuation.

Government lends all money, to business and individual with set repayment $$, times and fees for shortfalls.

Banks are purely savings organisations.

 

[kenrosewall]

Where's the baby bonus? Need to keep the population growing, not that I agree with the current option which sees baby booms in low socio-demographic areas to buy the Plasma TVs.

Unfortuantely society works in a way that gives bludgers a chance to survive in the current environment. By not giving them the chance to get free handouts may put a lot more people out on the street, which would lead to higher crime rates etc.

Low skill workers will get screwed without minimum wage/standards, so workplace agreements would be a must.

I'm sure there are many other things, I'll have a think about it.

 

[James23]

Id imagine legalising the likes of ice, methamphetamines, ecstasy, marijuana would lead to a major drug epidemic, resulting in greater crime, greater unemployment, more health problems, etc

 

[utility]

Id imagine legalising the likes of ice, methamphetamines, ecstasy, marijuana would lead to a major drug epidemic, resulting in greater crime, greater unemployment, more health problems, etc

No drug epidemic in the Netherlands or Switzerland where they have more intelligent laws than in Australia. I suggest you read the following written by Jonathan Ott. To group methamphetamine, cannabis and MDMA in one basket is stupid as they are incredibly different substances. Having said that, I assume you also realise that each of these drugs also have medicinal applications.

Clean Slate, ALL personal, company and business tax rates reduced to 0%, ALL excise reduced to 0%, All other government taxes reduced to 0%. No tax returns.

GST raised to 40% on ALL goods, ALL services. No Exceptions.

Not sure of the GST rate, but this would be a very good move. I remember being told that the GST was unconstitutional because Australia only allows one form of taxation... not sure the validity of that... but I digress.

This will lead to lower overheads to running businesses, and most likely a smaller ATO (lower taxes to cover the cost of the ATO). One huge benefit is that it is a taxation on consumption, and we must curb consumption when taking into consideration environmental concerns.

ALL Employee benefits, minimum standards, etc abolished. Up to Employer/Employee/Employee Union to negotiate.

Would never happen. It wouldn't bother me as I currently work as a contractor under similar conditions.

Legalise, legislate and monitor 'recreational' drugs.

Decriminalise all drugs. I don't like the term 'recreational', but non-addictive drugs should certainly be legal.

"Death Tax" (maybe renamed! ) of additional 50% introduced on Cigarettes, Alcohol, 'recreational' Drugs.

Not a fan of this, but this would help cover the costs of a public health system due to the consumption of such substances.

"Import Tax" of 40% on any goods entering the country to match GST (one not both).

Nope. You have to be a little more selective on import tariffs.

"Poverty Pension Coupons" Rather than receiving a $ value, and means tested, etc. Every australian citizen receives them. Perhaps a 'smart card' is the modern version?

No, I wouldn't support it. People in need should be supported by their families and the communities they live in (if we are ignoring that scrapping social security would never happen).

No mortgages. No interest rates. No loans. No Superannuation. Government lends all money, to business and individual with set repayment $$, times and fees for shortfalls. Banks are purely savings organisations.

I'd be happy to see banking reforms, but I don't see that being workable.

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

Where's the baby bonus? Need to keep the population growing, not that I agree with the current option which sees baby booms in low socio-demographic areas to buy the Plasma TVs.

Unfortuantely society works in a way that gives bludgers a chance to survive in the current environment. By not giving them the chance to get free handouts may put a lot more people out on the street, which would lead to higher crime rates etc.

Low skill workers will get screwed without minimum wage/standards, so workplace agreements would be a must.

I'm sure there are many other things, I'll have a think about it.

The 'Baby Bonus' would in this case be another PPC card, so it would be ongoing, rather than a lump-sum payment.

The PPC card works to ensure minimum living standards are covered. By taking out the $$ value, it forces those people to use it on food, accomodation, transport, etc - rather than potentially wasting on alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, etc.

Low-skill workers would face pressure to work for low rates, but given the basic needs of them and their families are catered for, they work for 'extras' so it becomes a lifestyle choice, rather than a method of survival.