How are we (Australia) going to pay for this COVID-19 spending?

[jb747]

Tax. Tax. And more tax.

Easy.

Oh, and another level of government, just because.

 

[amaroo]

About time all GST exemptions are eliminated and the GST is increased to no less than 15%. National Cabinet is the perfect vehicle to get it done.

 

[scaredeycat]

Tax. Tax. And more tax.

Easy.

Oh, and another level of government, just because.

So... a nuanced approach?

 

[Hvr]

So where to get the money from?

Well the diesel rebate scheme costs the Australian taxpayer $7 billion dollars a year.

The submarines have an estimated life cycle cost of $225 billion. Just stopping them now will save $80 billion.

Looking at family trusts and taxing them appropriately may well recover a lot of money.

An unexplained wealth order such as in the UK would make for some interesting times with forfeiture of assets you cannot explain how you afforded them.

A serious white collar crime policing effort with substantial penalties for offenders including asset seizure and cost recovery efforts would recoup billions of dollars.

Stop giving money to private businesses to run schools. The old chestnut about them saving money has been debunked many times. Basically they take the best students and boast about their results having weeded out students not intellectually gifted. A bit like a top sporting team in the highest league boasting they're much better than the worst team in D grade.

Make any company/organisation receiving government money to provide services to be subject to government strength FOI requirements. A bit more public knowledge about how they're expending tax payer money might make them a little more prudent about how profligate they might be.

I'm sure we've barely touched the possibilities.

 

[Pushka]

Donning a flame proof suit....

One way to help pay for this is to abolish state and territory governments. I've never understood why we have them in a modern Australia. The UK has nearly three times the population and only has national and local governments. There is no need to have separate health and education departments, vehicle licensing and many other offices that are simply an unnecessary duplication of effort writ large.

For SA people it would be Councils. They are so far up themselves with CEOs of miniscule areas earning more than the Premier. And they are like interfering old ladies (I know, I am).

 

[MathNerd]

I feel sorry for the 17 and 18-year olds. Their most important school year is in chaos and they're the ones who will wear the effects of paying this off for years in terms of cuts to federal and state budgets and services.

100% agree. I teach both Year 11 and Year 12, and I can't fathom what those students are going through right now. The teachers are trying their best, but there simply is just no substitute for physically being in the classroom.

I definitely would've struggled, big time, if something like this happened when I was back in school. I hope that there's some form of "leeway" (for want of a better word) for all those affected by this when the end of the year rolls around.

Who would've thought, walking into 2020, that all this would've unfolded?

 

[juddles]

......

The submarines have an estimated life cycle cost of $225 billion. Just stopping them now will save $80 billion.
....

Interesting concept. The principal need for the subs is China's ever expanding belligerent naval investment. Maybe the coronavirus will slow their economy enough to delay those capabilities, so it can also delay our need for the deterrent? Very complex issue.

But regarding the main thread - I would assume (and would agree with) that some sort of GST or similar universal tax gets put on everything. This is a rough time, and everyone needs to pay for it. Governments do not ever pay for something - they just administer resources/funds.

 

[amaroo]

100% agree. I teach both Year 11 and Year 12, and I can't fathom what those students are going through right now. The teachers are trying their best, but there simply is just no substitute for physically being in the classroom.

I definitely would've struggled, big time, if something like this happened when I was back in school. I hope that there's some form of "leeway" (for want of a better word) for all those affected by this when the end of the year rolls around.

Who would've thought, walking into 2020, that all this would've unfolded?

Daughter is a year 12 student, last three days have been spent on-line getting the system tested for the long haul. She had to attend school for exams during the week - so far, so good.

QLD students have the added disadvantage of being the first to jump from OP > ATAR

The school has done a tremendous job!

 

[cove]

A 10% death duty?

 

[MathNerd]

Daughter is a year 12 student, last three days have been spent on-line getting the system tested for the long haul. She had to attend school for exams during the week - so far, so good.

QLD students have the added disadvantage of being the first to jump from OP > ATAR

The school has done a tremendous job!

You're based out of NSW right? Here in VIC they simply brought forward the school holidays by 4 days (I believe NSW & VIC share the same school holidays?). However, the way that schools approached these "extra" 4 days is in quite stark contrast. Some started remote learning then and there, and some used it to "prepare" for remote learning for Term 2.

Best wishes to your daughter in this horrific situation, I hope she does really well in her HSC

 

[amaroo]

You're based out of NSW right? Here in VIC they simply brought forward the school holidays by 4 days (I believe NSW & VIC share the same school holidays?). However, the way that schools approached these "extra" 4 days is in quite stark contrast. Some started remote learning then and there, and some used it to "prepare" for remote learning for Term 2.

Best wishes to your daughter in this horrific situation, I hope she does really well in her HSC

QLD.

 

[jb747]

Interesting concept. The principal need for the subs is China's ever expanding belligerent naval investment. Maybe the coronavirus will slow their economy enough to delay those capabilities, so it can also delay our need for the deterrent? Very complex issue.

So, governments put off buying military replacements because they want the money (which will simply disappear).

China succeeds in removing future capabilities, whilst seeing exactly what effect a ”relatively” benign virus has upon the world.

Quietly develops a less benign form. Immunises their troops (and part of population) against it. Co-ordinated release against the western world, using tourists as the vector.

Manages to lock down most of the world.

Makes its military move.

 

[tgh]

There is a wonderful opportunity here for the left .
An inheritance tax has great potential as us oldies are triaged into paradise.
Countries whom already have such a tax will be collecting serious money over the next year or so

 

[Steady]

QLD students have the added disadvantage of being the first to jump from OP > ATAR

do I understand this correctly - this is the first year QLD has moved to ATAR‘s so for this years grade 12 it’s an extra disadvantage?

I have one in G12 and she isn’t very happy with the way things have to go. It’s hard on them.

 

[I love to travel]

So, governments put off buying military replacements because they want the money (which will simply disappear).

China succeeds in removing future capabilities, whilst seeing exactly what effect a ”relatively” benign virus has upon the world.

Quietly develops a less benign form. Immunises their troops (and part of population) against it. Co-ordinated release against the western world, using tourists as the vector.

Manages to lock down most of the world.

Makes its military move.

i

I hope you are wrong. Are you......probably not. Heaven help Taiwan.

 

[CaptJCool]

As interest rates a so low at the moment $500 billion borrowed at 1% costs $5 billion pa interest

 

[RooFlyer]

Well the diesel rebate scheme costs the Australian taxpayer $7 billion dollars a year.

The submarines have an estimated life cycle cost of $225 billion. Just stopping them now will save $80 billion.

Looking at family trusts and taxing them appropriately may well recover a lot of money.

An unexplained wealth order such as in the UK would make for some interesting times with forfeiture of assets you cannot explain how you afforded them.

A serious white collar crime policing effort with substantial penalties for offenders including asset seizure and cost recovery efforts would recoup billions of dollars.

Stop giving money to private businesses to run schools. The old chestnut about them saving money has been debunked many times. Basically they take the best students and boast about their results having weeded out students not intellectually gifted. A bit like a top sporting team in the highest league boasting they're much better than the worst team in D grade.

Make any company/organisation receiving government money to provide services to be subject to government strength FOI requirements. A bit more public knowledge about how they're expending tax payer money might make them a little more prudent about how profligate they might be.

Adam Bandt, is that you? Welcome to AFF

 

[cove]

We will need a gift duty as well as our boomer generation would spend time avoiding death duties.....

 

[amaroo]

do I understand this correctly - this is the first year QLD has moved to ATAR‘s so for this years grade 12 it’s an extra disadvantage?

I have one in G12 and she isn’t very happy with the way things have to go. It’s hard on them.

Correct. Last year it was OP, this year ATAR. Going from school ground gossip - it's been a big shock to the system for teachers and students. The change started last year in year 11 for the current year 12 student this year.

 

[MathNerd]

Correct. Last year it was OP, this year ATAR. Going from school ground gossip - it's been a big shock to the system for teachers and students.

Exactly right. Any big change - on a scale such as a study design change, scoring system, or otherwise, always causes a big shock and it takes a while to iron out the wrinkles.
In VIC all the Maths study designs (read: curriculum) changed in 2016, and it took a couple of years to really get used to the content that got introduced, especially for the younger teachers who had never seen anything like it before!