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October 5th, 2011 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda
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Video: Oakeshott hails tax forum a success
(Lateline)
The man behind the Federal Government’s two-day talkfest on tax, independent MP Rob Oakeshott, says the forum has been a “success” with some “very real outcomes”.
Treasurer Wayne Swan wrapped up the tax forum on Wednesday, promising a business tax working group, a review into state taxes, and a further increase to the income tax-free threshold when it is affordable.
Mr Oakeshott admits Australia has a long way to go in terms of tax reform, but he has vowed to push the Government to implement its promises as quickly as possible.
Audio:
Tax forum ends with more tax reviews
(PM)
“We got a couple of very real outcomes: the increasing of the tax-free threshold to $21,000 is pretty significant,” he told ABC1’s Lateline.
“We’re better off than we were 48 hours ago. It is substantial reform.
“We’ve obviously got to get a timeline around it, and we’ll do what we can to push on that, but if this is sometime soon that is a very real outcome that affects a lot of people, and is reform in the right direction.”
He has also praised the decision to fund an institute for tax research and the decision to set up a business tax working group.
“A million dollars a year into that (institute) is a very real and tangible outcome,” he said.
“The Business Working Group – the group with the small business, ATO and Treasury – are both rolling, and also of interest is the state tax reform plan led by a Liberal State Treasurer and a Queensland Labor State Treasurer with a set timeline.
“So, if all three of those are treated seriously by the individuals and stakeholders involved, yes, we’ve got some very real outcomes from the last two days.”
We got a couple of very real outcomes: the increasing of the tax-free threshold to $21,000 is pretty significant.
When asked whether – as an independent MP who holds the balance of power – Mr Oakeshott was prepared to force the issue of raising the tax free threshold to $21,000, he said it was still early days.
“We’re only aware of their willingness to do this about seven hours ago,” he said.
“I understand, as one MP in the spotlight at the moment, there are certain powers perceived, but please give me more than seven hours.
“I’ll be doing what I can as one MP to advocate for that to happen as quickly as possible, within sensible budget constraints.
“Obviously I think it’s a good reform, an important reform. It’s not the full way to 25,000, as recommended by [Ken] Henry, but these are important steps along the way that do affect a lot of people who would be watching this show right now.
“What we’ve had over the last two days is the best and brightest minds – 200 people have come together to talk through some pretty complex tax issues. This is one of the issues that’s come out of it. It looks to have some agreement from Government.
“Now, not only me but the 200 delegates and hopefully 22 million Australians will do what they can to push Government to bring it in as quickly as possible.”
Video: Tax forum leads to working group
(Lateline)
Just the beginning
The Federal Opposition has dismissed the tax forum as a con, with shadow treasurer Joe Hockey saying nothing positive came out of the talks.
Responding to the Opposition’s criticism, Mr Oakeshott asked: “What’s their plan?”
“This was an opportunity for Joe (Hockey) and others to be involved,” he said.
“There is going to be a parliamentary debate that starts in the next couple of weeks. That may be the forum where they want to put some ideas on the table.”
If we are serious about getting what is an unsustainable tax setting for the next 40 or 50 years and turning it into a sustainable one, we’ve got a hell of a lot more work to do.
Mr Oakeshott admits the issue of tax reform is far from over.
“Obviously this isn’t the end of it,” he said.
“If we are serious about getting what is an unsustainable tax setting for the next 40 or 50 years and turning it into a sustainable one, we’ve got a hell of a lot more work to do.”
But he warns if Australia does not start to change its perception on tax reform, future generations will suffer.
“Reform that makes a better Australia in the future and protects our standard of living, and turns an unsustainable model into a sustainable one, should be one that I would have thought 22 million Australians, the media and all the relevant stakeholders should be absolutely chomping at the bit to get their politicians and decision-makers to work on,” he said.
“Unfortunately, it seems to be the reverse, where there is this dead weight on a reform agenda, where anyone who is talking reform is put out on a fringe as “rocking the boat” and doing something crazy.
“If we don’t take on the responsibility today of comprehensive tax reform in a number of different areas, we are setting our kids up and our grandkids for a lesser standard of living.”
Topics:
tax,
federal-parliament,
canberra-2600
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