Friday 12 December 2014

'Stoptheselloff or Privatise' - That Is The Question?

Yesterday,was handed a brochure on 'Stoptheselloff.org.au' .Whether I am for or against 'Privatisation ' is not the issue. In one way I am and in another way I am not.
 
Before we talk about this, there is a lot of things I don't understand and I'm sure others would feel the same about within Mount Druitt, Sydney, NSW and within Australia.

As an individual citizen and tax payer, we are faced with every day taxes that sometimes are doubling up. A lot of the taxes are collected  for each tier of Government within Australia:
  • We all have to pay for 10% GST except for few items/services
  • Council rates are collected from individual private property and business property owners.
  • When we purchase property we pay NSW Stamp Duty'
  • When signing some contracts, we are paying  small Duties.
  • When we are working we paying payroll tax
  • When we earn interest on investments savings, we pay tax on investments.
  • When we sell properties, we pay Capital Gains Tax on the difference from the original purchase price to the selling price.
  • If you own a business you have to pay corporate tax
  • Departure Tax when you leave the country 
  • Fuel Taxes
  • Court Fines
  • Speeding and Traffic offences
  • Superannuation Tax
We need all these forms of taxes for Local, State and Federal Governments to provide infrastructure and necessity services to the community. A lot of  taxes are double handling and crossover each other. They all bite into the hard income people earn.

When GST was brought in. I was under the impression that it would replace many other listed 'taxes'. For example superannuation is as a result of  funds being provided as part income towards retirement benefit, yet the Australian Government charges tax again, by way of Superannuation Tax.

So if if we were all only to have GST and none of the other taxes, we would live  a financially healthier life. This is not the case. This is where I believe we need to rid other taxes have one only tax. This could  mean 'Privatisation'  for specific, government departments and services!

On the other hand, if Government Departments and/or services remain under the direction and control of the relevant government body, the jobs could be saved, as long as there is efficient reliable  services provided to the public. That is, so substantial wages rises, profits being derived, for possible expansion. Maybe the cost to the public will be minimised, I don't know.

At the end of the day, I don't care if it stays 'public' or 'private' as I believe we all have to pay for it!

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