Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Alex Deane: Report from the Aussie Election Day 3

CAMPAIGN DAY 3: 39 DAYS TO GO

Today’s media is pretty much saturated with news of the arrest of West Coast Eagles midfielder Ben Cousins, a Brownlow medalist and notorious bad boy. Nevertheless, having been announced on Monday, the Coalition’s tax cut plan – the biggest in Australia’s history – continues to attract its fair share of attention. If the election becomes a fight over this, we will win.

For some time now, there has been a debate about whether or not the Conservative Party should embrace a tax cutting agenda. Of course, the environment is very different here, not least because the Coalition has been in office for over a decade and has consistently delivered tax cuts, so such pledges carry credibility. In any case, to see such a platform embraced by a right of centre party at election time is pleasing for those who believe (as I do) that lowering taxes should be a key aim of parties that believe in freedom, and that such a policy empowers individuals to decide for themselves what to do with their money and how to live their lives.

I’ll definitely be blogging about Labor’s tax policies – when they announce them.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Then please justify to me how any responsible party can say this over tax not knowing what the economic conditions will be like in a couple of years. Also you cannot compare Oz with the UK. The system of government is completely different and so is the electoral system. The point you should be making is on the polls and interest rates. If they do not move, and also if interest rates go up during the campaign (very likely) Howard is finished. I live in Australia at present

Rob Marrs said...

Alex,

Are you running your own blog elsewhere (http://deanoinoz.blogspot.com ?) or just on here.

Best of luck, I've always rather liked Howard.

R

Anonymous said...

Please God let Howard win! Just to see the BBC commisars faces slip and burst into tears! Ha Ha Ha

pommygranate said...

Iain

There's one difference between England and Australia. The govt here in Australia only take 22% of GDP, hence taxes can be cut. In England, Gordon takes 42% of GDP.

Until the state is reduced in size, tax cuts will not be possible.