Abbott has upended Liberal support for small business

AntiMajorMistakesor Others Man. says:

08:21am | 07/05/10

Sorry Craig, but 2 wrongs don’t make a right. Yes the liberals have stabbed small business in the back, in favour of big business, many times before.

Just as the red/green/getup/labour coalition has betrayed workers & the nationals have let farmers down repeatedly.

That is why the liberal/national coalition is going to win the next election in a landslide, off the back of preferences from real minor parties, but not have total control over the senate.

http://www.australiafirstparty.com.au/cms/

http://www.democrats.org.au/

http://www.dlp.org.au/

http://www.ldp.org.au/

http://australianpolitics.com/parties/list.shtml

Regards the former snag & swinging voter.

steve says:

08:23am | 07/05/10

Love this comment weeny - the clowns can’t see more than an inch beyond their faces. Emerson didn’t even know about the poposed tax 2 dfays before it was introduced. And ......while where at it ...where’s those couple of letters that Rudd has from Garrett?

Pete says:

08:29am | 07/05/10

Weeny, the mining boys are the kings of spin, you obviously didn’t hear Twiggy Forrest last night…he looked like he’d come from one of those expensive lunchs, couple of very nice bottles of red, then on to tell the Australian people how much the mining companies would suffer…give me a break…

Bertrand says:

08:44am | 07/05/10

Craig Emerson said this Wednesday 28 April

“Slowing down the development of Australia’s mining and energy resource industries would be a scandalous wasted opportunity to lock in future prosperity and achieve social and environmental goals such as supporting school students in disadvantaged communities, Australians with disabilities, those with mental illnesses and others who are too sick to work, and preserving Australia’s unique biological diversity.”

So were you throwing up a smokescreen, or werent you informed of your own governments policies. Lucky for us the internet isnt filtered yet.

PKN says:

09:26am | 07/05/10

Very glib weeny… particularly when many small businesses in regional areas are blatantly gouged by big business on fuel, food, banking, internet etc

And all we get from Craig and Labor, is more promises and hot air and do-nothingness which he copied from Howard.

I like the noises Labor are making but as a small businessman who only just survived the bust I still regard Labor and the Liberals to be essentially anti- small business and puppets of big business, mostly.

When are you *really* going to step up to the plate for small business Craig Emerson?

Joan says:

09:34am | 07/05/10

Pete- Rudd is doing to mining companies what Putin did to Russian oligarchs .

Alice says:

09:05pm | 07/05/10

The Super tax was actually submitted to the Henry review by the Minerals Council of Australia on behalf of mining.
What is interesting in this is that they even suggest a broadening of the GST tax base and raising the GST.  Now, why do they want us to pay more?
For them to come out and pretend that this was a surprise is beyond laughable. Big Clive went from Joh Petersens advisor to multi-billionaire off the back of our, yes our resources. I have no problem with creating wealth but seriously. Just because Australians don’t live in abject poverty does not mean we are not being ripped off.
I notice in submissions that the mining industry states what they pay but to neglect to mention all the state and federal grants, subsidies & tax breaks.
Note: Coal 2008-2009 $55 billion- Qld royalties- 3.1bil, NSW 1.4bil. Then both states give back a billion each for infrastructure.

Robert of God's own country, rural SA says:

11:58pm | 07/05/10

Pete I can’t believe you are having a go at Twiggy, he has done more for people, especially aboriginals than Little Kevvy ever has. All Little Kevvy has done is said sorry & then gone back to lunch washed down with a nice bottle or two of Chardonnay

Rich says:

09:29am | 08/05/10

@Alice.

What a clever manipulation of statistics. Sure, in 2008/9 the export revenue from NSW and QLD coal was ~$55 Billion, and royalties were ~$4 Billion, but you may it appear as though mining companies took $51 Billion for themselves.

You forget to mention that digging coal out of the ground means well-paid jobs for the working families of both states, and that a company tax of 30% still has to be paid.

Less mining means less jobs. So do you think that more taxes means more mining?

Jacob M says:

09:42am | 08/05/10

Robert of God’s own country, rural SA That apology was far more than Liberals ever did!!

Robert of God's own country, rural SA says:

12:07am | 09/05/10

Jacob M what do you mean when you say Little Kevvy’s “apology” was more than Howard did, Jacob M the “apology” was just empty words, Mr Howard intervened because the Territory LABOR government refused to, I would of thought the intervention was worth far more than an empty “apology” any day.

mtdd says:

08:57am | 09/05/10

Emrson knows full well that the Henry Review did not recommend the resource super-profit tax in the form that the govt has proposed. He also knows full well that the Henry Review did not recommend the govts approach to increasing superannuation. Just because the govt has lost the ETS which would have been a cash cow for it they now opt to target the mining industry. What next a super-profits tax on farms, banks, insurance companies? I’m from WA - and we are livid over here.

Jacob M says:

11:15am | 09/05/10

Robert of God’s own country, rural SA It nice to hear the input from an Aboriginal Robert thank you! but speaking as a white Australian that apology meant allot to me. I feel badly about how you Indigenous Australians were treated and I felt it was about time we said to them ” I am sorry” I hope your situation improves and we never go back to past injustices. That was something Howard refused to do.

Jodie says:

01:35pm | 07/05/10

The increased super will be phased in slowly to allow businesses to adjust and I’m sure wages growth will be slower over that time to account for it as well.
I was discussing this with sometone earlier who said they thought maybe employees should contribute the extra 3% rather than business but I don’t think it makes much difference. If employees are forced to pay 3% of their wages into super there will be pressure on wages to rise so that workers don’t feel as much loss to their take home pay.
If employers have to pay the increase they will exert downward pressure on wages over that time so they don’t feel as pain through higher staffing costs.
I’m sorry but business opposed the introduction of the 9% super in the first place but the sky didn’t fall in. Wages growth was slower for quite a while after it’s introduction.
The fact is that retirement incomes need to be paid for - Govt pensions paid through taxes; super paid individually through wages trade offs.
Plus there are other benefits to super as well such as a big pool of capital that can be invested.
Plus higher retirement incomes is a good thing for small businesses as the population ages as people will have more money to spend.

from the trenches says:

05:22pm | 09/05/10

Folks, settle down! It’s all about wedging the opposition parties in the upcoming election.

James1 says:

12:02pm | 07/05/10

I would hope that, if the voters are in any way intelligent and discerning, they believe no one who is seeking election.

Hedda Clark says:

01:40pm | 07/05/10

I feel the same Luke.

OzyMoron says:

02:56pm | 07/05/10

Probably the first real money Rudd-Rein ever had was when his wife tossed him a couple of thou out of small change…

persephone says:

09:02am | 07/05/10

The proposed mining tax will in fact result in lower taxes for many mining companies, because they will get a refund on the royalties they currently pay the states, and the increased taxes won’t cut in until they are making well above normal profits.

So, while companies are exploring and developing mines, at present they pay royalties and normal tax. Now they’ll only pay normal tax (most of which will be written off in the exploration/development phase) until they reach a point where they make super profits.

And the normal tax rate for companies is going to fall, too, so the small mine just starting off - or the old mine which is no longer as profitable - will pay less in taxes than they do at present.

WKH says:

09:21am | 07/05/10

Wow persephone…It’s all good hey. This will actually lower taxes so whats the fuss? Those naughty minors just don’t know whats good for them. Lucky Kevy’s on the job… Your continued defense of incompetence takes my breath away. Change your title to rover. Good dog, now sit….

AdamC says:

09:38am | 07/05/10

Yes, Persephone, those ‘winners’ would actually be ‘losers’ - mines that don’t make a return above the risk-free rate. So, on top of all its other evils, this (not so) ‘super’ profits tax will also encourage resource misallocation.

Tell me, Pers, why should the ‘rent’ for a resource depend upon the profitability of the company that mines it? The public shouldn’t have to bear the risk of crappy operators.

persephone says:

09:47am | 07/05/10

WKH

because when miners are making thumping great huge profits, they’d like to keep them all to themselves.

And it’s called ‘political pressure’ ’ - by making a fuss, they may be able to knock a couple of % points off the 40% proposed, and make even more profit.

But hey, you put the profits of multi nationals ahead of the interests of all Australians, don’t mind me.

EJ says:

10:15am | 07/05/10

Persephone…are you a Labor Party apparatchik? You seem to spend an inordinate amount of time defending the indefensible stuff-ups of this band of losers. I voted for Rudd. I will never vote for Labor again while this tosser is in the parliament!

persephone says:

10:29am | 07/05/10

AdamC

The miners who will be subject to the super tax will already be receiving not only normal profit rates but 60% of every dollar they make after that.

I don’t know the definition of normal profit for these purposes (sure it’s out there somewhere) but let’s say for argument’s sake it’s 10%.

So the mining company is already making 10%. It then makes another 10%, 4% of which goes in extra tax.

So their profit is 16%.

They haven’t lost, they’ve gained. They just haven’t gained as much as they would have liked.

It’s just the same as income tax. If I make an extra $100, which sends me into the higher tax rate, I still keep most of that $100. I haven’t lost, I’ve gained.

EJ - no arguments against me?

I’ve explained before that I do this for love, not money.

watchingwithinterest says:

10:32am | 07/05/10

Please - lower tax - what cods wallop.  All this new tax will do is make the australian public responsible for the risks taken by mining companies for which they have no say whether to accept or not.  This government is incompetent and they should leave the taxation system alone. Whilst I hole heartedly support tax reform - this is not reform - reform should make it simpler.  this government needs to demonstrate they they can implement policy or more simpler reforms before they embark on the biggest reform of all

AdamC says:

10:49am | 07/05/10

I don’t really know what you are getting at, Pers, with your response, but my point was that this is a profits tax. That is, if a miner is only earning a marginal profit (or, indeed, making a loss - it happens) they do not have to pay Kruddy’s great big new (super) profits tax.

But, Pers, they will still get to mine the resource, with the Feds re-imbursing their state mining royalties. They will be mining totally tax-free Pers! No corporate tax (that is also a profits tax); no royalties (they will be reimbursed); no ‘super profits tax (obviously).

What about our precious resources that they are taking out of the sacred earth, Pers?

Hamish says:

11:12am | 07/05/10

I see the Persephonator is at her confusing best today. If this tax was about taxing miners for what they take out of the ground it would not be based on profit, but on a flat tax of X dollars per ton of the resource removed. For example, coal miners would pay, say $5, per ton of coal they take out. Miners which are the most efficient would then not be penalised by being taxed more. Also, it would fairly reimburse the Australian people for the removal and use of these resources from the ground.

The issue with this system is that it a) doesn’t give Kruddy and the gang ‘super’ taxes at the peak of the economic cycle which they can blow on crap to keep the electorate happy and b) it rewards companies for being profitable and efficient which is obviously a no-no if you’re a socialist.

Has anyone followed the incredulous international reaction to this tax? The Canadians, for example, can’t believe their luck. They’re reducing mining taxes to make their industry more competitive; we’re introducing punitive taxes to punish miners for being too successful.

Also, this tax is predicated on the fallacy that China can continue to grow at its current rapid rate. If the growth stops, so do the ‘super’ ‘duper’ profits.

persephone says:

11:46am | 07/05/10

I don’t think I’ve indulged in any blather about precious resources being taken out of mother earth - I’m not a Green, for heaven’s sake.

I’m a ‘tax those according to their means, support those according to their needs’ type.

So I have no trouble with no one paying the super tax if they never reach that threshold.

However, I do suspect that Treasury’s modelling is a little better than anybody here’s, and they seem to think that there’ll be enough moolah to go around.

Of course, if dear Twiggy really does want us to nationalise the mines, I don’t have much of an issue with that, either.

AdamC says:

12:08pm | 07/05/10

So now it is just a matter of making lots of money is it, Pers, not the fact that miners make money by selling our resources from out of the ground? This tax seems to disagree with you on that. Most businesses quite happily make the ‘super’ profits captured by Labor’s new tax, yet the tax is being applied to miners only.  Maybe you should tell the tax that taking stuff out of the ground doesn’t seem to matter – nobody seems to have told the tax yet!

In fact, and I am making the not-so-giant leap here that you work for the ALP (not necessarily that they pay you to comment here, but in general), could you let us know whether the Duddster has designs on the banks’ ‘super’ profits? After all, the banks benefit from an implied government guarantee. Maybe you could suggest a hefty tax on ‘super’ interest margins using a risk-based formula. That would both raise money and encourage efficiency.

luke09 says:

12:49pm | 07/05/10

persephone, today it has been revealed by The Australian that the graph Rudd used to justify and explain this tax is bogus and not factual. The tax is nothing simple as explained by labor and supporters, company taxes do increase with profits. It appears, the graph Rudd used is of his own invention and not a true account of mining and company taxes.

Hamish says:

12:51pm | 07/05/10

Well AdamC, according to The Kruddster and his economically inept sidekick The Swan, any profits above the long-term bond-rate are pretty much ‘Super Profits’. They are obviously not interested in all ‘Super Profits’ only the ‘Super Profits’ of their arch-nemeses, The Mining Industry.

I think you’ll find the reason for this is a sell-ability thing. The media has told everyone for years about the mining boom and because it’s mostly far away in WA they (probably rightly) assume it’s easier to gouge the miners than all ‘Super Profits’ businesses. That, and they know full well the banks will just carry the tax through to their fees and mortgage rates which would be pretty unpopular. The miners are unfortunately being targeted because they have to deal in world-prices and the global economy, whereas the banks can run their cosy oligopoly and just pass on any extra government taxation.

Super D says:

01:11pm | 07/05/10

Persephone wrote:

“I don’t know the definition of normal profit for these purposes (sure it’s out there somewhere) but let’s say for argument’s sake it’s 10%.

So the mining company is already making 10%. It then makes another 10%, 4% of which goes in extra tax.

So their profit is 16%.

They haven’t lost, they’ve gained. They just haven’t gained as much as they would have liked.

It’s just the same as income tax. If I make an extra $100, which sends me into the higher tax rate, I still keep most of that $100. I haven’t lost, I’ve gained.”

Sorry Pers but you have absolutely no idea how this tax works - perhaps that explains your passionate defence.  I suggest you go and educate yourself regarding its actual operation.  Here’s a hint - it doesn’t work like normal income tax, it is applied to revenue less extraction costs, before administrative and financing costs and then whatever is left then has income tax applied as well.  Though unlikely it is in fact possible that a company could pay this misnamed “super profits tax” without actually being profitable.

Mark says:

01:31pm | 07/05/10

Only pers could come up with the argument that when taxes are raised to make Australian miners the most heavily taxed miners in the world they are better off.

The mind boggles as to the gall to even put that down in writing.

The credibility gap between pers fantasies of Labor dogma and reality are widening.

Please show the proof that the new mining tax wil lower the tax bills for miners. Actual proof.

Go on. This should be a hoot.

TC says:

01:40pm | 07/05/10

Wow Persephone… youre proposing that this actual decrease in tax on miners is actually enabling an increase in spending in other areas?

Gary Cox says:

03:36pm | 07/05/10

I’m only hearing crickets from Persephone now. She must be busy doing a bit more research.

Super D says:

07:04pm | 07/05/10

Persephone only seems to comment during public service hours

Christian Real says:

08:30am | 08/05/10

Luke 09:
Luke, It appears that the only thing bogus is the stories that The Australian is pumping out about our Prime Minister and the Government.
It appears also that The Australian is just another arm of the Liberal party and their bias, one-side political stories and attacks on any other political party that is not Liberal or National seriously needs investigating, and that is why I am considering lodging a complaint with the Australian Press Council.
While the journalists and reporters at The Australian are entitled to follow the political party of their choice, they are not entitled to promote or shove their political agenga and party down the readers throats.
The stories in The Australian continually appear to be politically motivated, and I for one take them with a grain of salt.
I believe also that the ethics of this newspaper appear to be questionable and perhaps a complaint to The australian Press Council will clarify whether ethics or standards have been breached by this newspaper in the way their stories are been presented.

Gary Cox says:

09:58am | 08/05/10

Why can’t The Australian have an agenda? The Age does. If you don’t like it don’t read it.

mtdd says:

09:10am | 09/05/10

Persephone - Qld has proposed increasing royalties and WA appears to be going down the same track. Yes the Feds will pay a rebate to the mining companies to compensate the royalties they pay to the states - sound like money churn to me with all the inefficiencies that implies. “Normal profit” to you is obviously the bond rate - you clearly have no idea about business. Why would one start a business - why not just buy govt bonds? In effect the govt is take a 40% equity stake in mining companies. Furthermore, what is being proposed by the govt is a bit different to what the Henry Review proposed eg, proposed cutting company tax to 25% - govt goes for 28%.

from the trenches says:

05:27pm | 09/05/10

Pers you are legend!  Are you still in the underworld or currently planting corn?

Mark says:

01:35pm | 07/05/10

Oh Luke that is mean.

They will get down to the detail “later”.

We can trust them to get it right “in the future” after the election. Look at the ETS, childcare, school computers, health reform and…....oooh crap wait!!!

In news to hand - KRudd promises evryone a pony. Vote for KRudd and get a pony. Trustori.

persephone says:

09:50am | 07/05/10

Er, I think you’ll find mining stocks were taking a dive well before the tax was announced.

Look at the prices over the last few months and see if you can put your finger on the dip caused by the tax announcement.

What’s happening in Greece is far more concerning for most international traders.

EJ says:

10:12am | 07/05/10

Mr Emerson, is this all you can rustle up in your panic to smear Tony Abbott.? I voted to Rudd & am bitterly dosappointed in him not only as a PM but his constant camera moments with cute little kiddies & old people in hospital beds.  We the voters ALL know he’s trying to tale th electorates minds off his massive incompetent stuff-ups…...just as your pathetic article about Abbott is! We are NOt fools sir, so what that this make you?

Moggy says:

10:27am | 07/05/10

persephone, if the mining companies stocks were falling why would any responsible PM then impose such a massive tax on them? Do you have any idea of how much money is spent by mining companies in order that these minerals are discovered? Then they spend another few billion developing the sites ready for extraction. Rudd has done this because his massive ego is bruised by Barnett refusing to buckle under his demands to do as he was told. And persephone this one action of Rudd’s has now turned the entire population of WA off him, & he’ll probably lose Labor Queensland as well. Small voting states but they still have the power to unseat the “fuhrer!” Bring it on!!

persephone says:

11:50am | 07/05/10

EJ, because the promise had already been made to release the Henry report before the budget.

As you will no doubt note, mining stocks have been in decline for a few months now, so to release it before the budget meant that whatever date you chose would coincide with this.

Randal says:

12:40pm | 07/05/10

What a load of rubbish Perse, Mining stocks fell during the GFC, but have been making steady gains on the back of a record high resources prices being driven by the 12% growth in China.

These gains stalled and went into free fall following the greedy tax grab by the fat fingered Rudd and Swan, busily attempting to force our leading export industry to fund their incompetence.

These falls where both here and overseas and wiped out somewhere in the order of $15 billion off mining stocks in 24 hours, and economic commentators globally believe that this is the craziest attack upon a critical national industry that they have witnessed.

To suggest that the falls had anything to do with Greece shows that you either have no idea what you are talking about, or that you are attempting to use the Greek crisis as a smokescreen, I suspect the latter.

Spin will not win the day this time and the RRT will be greatly watered down as we know that the spineless Rudd is no good in a political fight, particularly in an election year and when these mining projects are cancelled, he will cave like a paper tiger in the rain - it’s just a matter of time really.

Of course when that occurs he will be nowhere near to be seen and poor old Swanny will have to deliver the news, whilst Rudd cowers in his office pretending nothing is happening.

Christian Real says:

07:12pm | 07/05/10

Wall street took a dive as well as the european stock markets, I suppose all you liberal blind sheep will blame Rudd for the overseas stock markets taking a dive as well.
And those Liberal imbeciles blaming Rudd the stock market here was on the downward trend even before Rudd announced the policy
Typical, liberal spin

Christian Real says:

10:19am | 08/05/10

Persephone, you appear to be correct in what you have written, the mining stocks were taking a dive even before the Prime Minister announced a 40% tax on mining.
But alas, the opportunist, Tony Abbott, has learnt well from his Master(John Howard) on how to twist and perfect the art of spin, blatantly attempts to blame this tax on the fall of the stock market shares.
Tony Abbott = A show pony in budgie smugglers, with no policies, no ideas and no direction.

Karen says:

09:46am | 07/05/10

That’s a tired old line when you don’t like what you read. It doesn’t matter who posts comments, you either agree with them or not. T.Chong usually posts comments similar to yours.

Andy says:

09:49am | 07/05/10

Maybe people have become disolusioned with the Rudd Government? Hard for you to accept I guess, you can blame Kevin Rudd for that.

watty says:

09:55am | 07/05/10

Hi Rob.I am NOT a member of the Liberal Party and I think Emerson is talking through a hole in his hat.

Where was his protection for small business when the ‘pink batt” scandals near destroyed Australia’s well established insulation industry.Did he oppose Rudd’s rush to disaster?

Where is Emerson’s support for the thousands of small businesses supplying the mining industry now threatened with further taxation?

Emerson was a good “minder” for Hawke but as a Minister he is unable or unwilling to stand up to Rudd

DaisyMae says:

10:11am | 07/05/10

Rob Banks I think you hit the nail on the head, I was wondering the same thing and when these posts become to long and rambling, I give them a miss and move onto the next post. Average Australians are not going to knock back money in their super funds. Unless they are fools.

eddie says:

10:13am | 07/05/10

I’d be guessing most of the ones that say “I voted labor last time” or “I have never voted liberal in my life but..”

Phil says:

10:31am | 07/05/10

Rob. Not a member of a political party. I have assisted at election day.

Moggy says:

10:39am | 07/05/10

How dare you! I am NOT a member of the Liberal Party. I voted for Rudd. I will NEVER vote for him again. I was thinking that Gillard would make a better PM than him but you know what….she’s a stuff-up merchant as well as proven by the schools debacle. I dare you to get out into the public among ordinary people & listen to what is being said. I delivered some freebies to a senior citz club on Tuesday….in a very safe Labor electorate…..& these dear old souls were aghast at the massive amounts of money being thrown away by Rudd & Gillard…..while they freeze in their un-heated homes because they can’t afford heating. Their $30 a fortnight pay rise has been eaten away by rising costs in everything.

H of SA says:

11:37am | 07/05/10

Rob B, I reckon a good quarter of comments on here come from staffers in the offices of the MP’s who post (from both parties btw)

Its pretty transparent, look for comments right at the start of the day that say things like “A really insightful piece - thanks!” - when we know we have just read utter propaganda. Diddo for posts completely off topic that disagree with the MP - for example if someone posts on here about Rudd wanting to let the boat people in - even though its about small business policy - your hack alarm should start sounding.

If you have the time call them out and they run. Otherwise - don’t feed the trolls

H of SA says:

11:41am | 07/05/10

Kudos to Phil for his honesty BTW. Its perfect;y legitimate IMO to help out on election day and still claim independent opinion - but many hacks of both sides would not be brave enough to do what you have Phil.

H of SA says:

11:58am | 07/05/10

Oh and for the record I wasn’t calling you a hack.

AntiMajorMistakes or Others Man. says:

12:07pm | 07/05/10

Cheerleaders from the red/green/getup/labour coalition have been whinging this same, cry foul, song for at least a year now on blog sites all over the country.

Anybody with half a brain can see from the comment content that there are both left punchers (like T Chong & Seano) & right punchers (like Wayne Fehlhaber) on all these blog sites. Fair enough, this is supposed to be a dumocracy, you know your allowed to have an opinion no matter how wrong it is.

Some like Persephone are obviously taxpayer funded full time, professionals. Not so sure about that???

But you loony, lefties seem incapable of learning lessons. Have you already forgotten about or even noticed the furore over Gordon Brown insulting one of his lifelong supporters for talking honestly about PC bulls*%#. Golden rule # 1, The customer is always right.

I am thick skinned enough not to be bothered by the constant verbal violence. I am sure Wayne Fehlhaber & some of the other conservative puncher’s are equally, big enough & ugly enough to look after themselves.

But equally there are many new names turning up daily as news ltd advertise ‘the punch” on all their newspapers and newbies, give it, blogging a try & what do they get for pouring their heart out online about very fair, reasonable concerns.

Some sneering, sarcastic, loudmouth from the red/green/getup/labour coalition cheer squad like T Chong or Seano jumps down their throat.

Do you numb skulls ever lay awake at night, shaking your heads, wondering why all the polls have turned against you?

i personally believe that senior leadership of the loony, left have taken bribes from big business to deliberately, throw the next election, so they can get there old conservative mates back.

its just not medically possible for anybody to be stupid enough to come up with this rubbish as serious, genuine policy.

Regards the former snag & swinging voter.

Seano says:

12:44pm | 07/05/10

I can’t think why, but you forgot to mention the loonies Antiman.

Hamish says:

01:17pm | 07/05/10

Well Rob, I am actually a recently-joined member of the Liberal Party. I joined them because I was sick and tired of living under two inept Labor governments (Fed and Vic) who are bankrolled to the tune of millions by the Unions every single year. I thought I would put my money where my mouth is for the benefit of the Liberal Party and Australia generally.

What is the relevance of your question? Is it because you struggle to actually make any valid points that you attack other people’s membership or otherwise of political parties?

I also happen to be a member of the Geelong Football Club. Does that make my opinion on football irrelevant?

How many comments here have come directly from morons?

Andrew says:

01:52pm | 07/05/10

Go “members of the Liberal Party” who ever you are, please keep up the good work!

FriendlyAdvise4Rob says:

03:44pm | 07/05/10

The punch is an offshoot of the Australian, so probably no surprise that most contributors lean towards the right. If you don’t feel comfortable here go to the ABC’s drum, or crikey, plenty of lefties there. Probably steer clear of Andrew Bolt’s blog though, not sure you’d be able to handle that one. Good luck.

Juju says:

05:56pm | 07/05/10

DaisyMae says:11:11am | 07/05/10 ” Average Australians are not going to knock back money in their super funds. Unless they are fools.” Actually, DaisyMae, when you get your next super statement in September, you will probably notice that it has taken a hit again after Dudds ‘super profits tax’ announcement which has contributed to the $16billion dollars wiped off the stockmarket in the last couple of days. Most Super funds invest in the stockmarket in case you hadn’t realised. And the piddly extra 3% (which is actually paid by the employee in a roundabout way - you would be paid 9% more if it wasn’t for compulsory super) won’t make much difference if we don’t have a robust stockmarket.

WKH says:

10:17am | 07/05/10

Sorry persephone, Craig doesn’t argue for anything round the kitchen cabinet. Like the lot of them he is just a yes man to your imbecile leader Krudd. Craig doesn’t even know what is going on half the time… Remember dog whistle then back flip not so long back and as I highlighted earlier he had know idea about this policy. Try and keep up but Craig…

Phil says:

10:30am | 07/05/10

Persy You have to be making a profit to pay tax. Yes I do but the profit amount is not that great. The 3% extra super will far outweigh the 2% saving in company tax. Wages of which this is paid is bigger in nearly every business in the country than the 2% they will save on profits. As I said above, would you agree with 3% for employers and 3% for employees?

persephone says:

11:52am | 07/05/10

The rise in super doesn’t come in until 2020, by which time you should have sorted out your finances.

As a business operator once said to me, if you can’t afford to pay your tax bill, you can’t afford be in business.

He judged the success of a business by how much tax it paid, because it proved the true profitabilty of the concern.

Mark says:

01:44pm | 07/05/10

“He judged the success of a business by how much tax it paid, because it proved the true profitabilty of the concern. “

Please be silent if you have no idea what you are talking about.

That comment is foolish in the extreme, naive at best. but so typically self serving for your daily pogrom.

Oh anyone asked if the extra super will be included as a component of payroll tax. Nice little tax for the states on top of some extra costs. I can see how this all helps the costs of living and keeping prices down

mtdd says:

09:15am | 09/05/10

And Labor will invest the money in marginal seats…or bailing out inept NSW govts - more seats there to save..

Dingo says:

02:34pm | 07/05/10

Good point Henry.

Craig, how about you go a start a small business. I forgotten who posted the list of inexperience of this current Government, but I think it’s becoming more and more apparent that we shouldn’t have politicians with no real life experience and/or appropriate qualifications.

persephone says:

12:00pm | 07/05/10

The GST doesn’t go to the Federal government, it goes to the States (although, of course, a third will now be sent into health).

The federal government is investing in country areas, spending money on rail, irrigation upgrades (protecting the foodl bowl), water buy backs and, of course, the NBN (left to private companies, high speed broadband would be delivered only to the cities, so the government’s investment in NBN mainly benefits country areas).

Most of the issues you list are being invested in by the Rudd government.

If you look at the example of Victoria, under Kennett, there was a withdrawal of services from country areas, with a resulting drop in population; under Bracks/Brumby, there has been huge investments in rural/regional towns and infrastructure, and the rural/regional population has grown faster than Melbourne’s.

Tony Burke has started trialling farming systems to prepare farmers for drought, which involves looking at alternative ways of farming.

Rudd is a country boy, just as Bracks and Brumby are, and has rural/regional community interests firmly in his mind.

Mark says:

01:40pm | 07/05/10

“Rudd is a country boy, just as Bracks and Brumby are, and has rural/regional community interests firmly in his mind. “

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA’

As a country boy here I will conform that is not normal to talk of programmic specificity with the boys.

Do not EVER liken Rudd to a human being. He is his own class.

Oh and this is a straight our lie which proves you no little if nothing at all about broadband in this country. 

“..the NBN (left to private companies, high speed broadband would be delivered only to the cities, so the government’s investment in NBN mainly benefits country areas). “

Go and ask iinet, Internode and Westnet about that statement to name a few.

What a erroneous comment. Stay silent on topics if you have no idea what you are talking about.

I am sure a quick call (I know how you love to “research” lawl) to Simon Hackett will sort you out.

Christian Real says:

02:03pm | 08/05/10

Mark, are you perfect enough to claim that you are a human being?,regardless of what your lowlife opinion is of Kevin Rudd he is still a human being, perhaps you had better look in the mirror and see what you have become by following the conservative party.
It would appear that the Liberals are not worth backing, esprcially if they teach supporters like you so much hatred and Un-Australian ways.

Brett L says:

07:16pm | 08/05/10

Franchisee’s are nothing but milk cows for the owners of the brand. This needs to be addressed by the ACCC. Third Line Forcing, rorts, churning and kick backs all part of the franchise system.
I would never enter into a franchise of any type.

H of SA says:

12:51pm | 07/05/10

Where are they going to go Stevie? Almost all of the worlds Uranium is in my state, they can’t go anywhere else.

These comments from the likes of “Twiggy” are what is known as sabre rattling.

Willy K says:

01:10pm | 07/05/10

H od SA.  They will just leave it in the ground you twit!

SA after years of regressive Rann, SA cannot afford for a minute not to open up Olympic Dam and many other mines.  (Rann voted time and time against these mines in opposition so he has form.)

If you were in the industry like myself you would know that this tax proposal is suicidal to the miners and nation as a whole.

H of SA says:

01:15pm | 07/05/10

“They will just leave it in the ground you twit” - go and think abut what you just said.

Also, if you actually think Olympic Dam isn’t open and running already- I think you jusy outed the ball faced lie that you work in the industry.

luke09 says:

01:16pm | 07/05/10

H, there is uranium explorations in the usa and canada showing large deposits from just a handful of explorations, if Australia becomes less attractive an increase in exploration overseas will happen with the likely result of more uranium deposits. Then mining companies will go elsewhere, it is a stupid policy to encourage exporting Australian mining jobs and income overseas.

Willy K says:

03:53pm | 07/05/10

H of SA.

I worked on the OD expansion you fool.  If it becomes less profitable we will walk away.  Try working in the business world and you might have some concept of what draconian socialist taxes can do to investment.  And maybe you should just keep your cake hole shut when you pass judgment on matters clearly above your comprehension.  SA has the chance to the Dubai of the South - if we made the most of our resources and actually had govt backing.  It was easier setting up mines in Papua, Chile, China, and even the old Soviet than it has been under the ALP and the Unions.

H of SA says:

09:41am | 10/05/10

Willie, first resorting to words like twit and fool makes what you say seem weaker - not stronger. If you can’t say it without the insults - its unlikely to be a strong positition.

Secondly, you can’t have mutually exclusive positions and expect me to sign up to one of them.

Is Olympic Dam not open yet? Or did you work on its expansion? You can’t have it both ways. I know that its been open since the 80’s and this is public knowledge, but to first claim its not open - and then claim you worked at it is just bizzare.

Then to say that minning industry is in trouble - but to draw attention to its expanding operations…..well that is also not the most convincing argument.

Kate says:

05:31pm | 07/05/10

you certainly dont have my vote or anyone I know…....you are in government for powers’ sake…...disgrace

Willy K says:

03:46pm | 07/05/10

Because the companies have SHAREHOLDERS and need to show good returns for them and pay dividends.

As an insider in the Mining industry this tax is regressive, ill-thought and will help wreck an industry and will cost jobs, towns and billions of dollars income tax.

It is literally killing the Golden Goose.

Brett L says:

08:02pm | 07/05/10

Willy K, I think it’s BS it will cost jobs. Mining companies won’t walk away from the minerals here. And as for the shareholders, bad luck. I think the whole share market is crock. If you want to make money go and run a business instead of riding on the coat tails of large companies. Shareholder demands are destroying society. And even if mining companies did walk away today, no problem the minerals will just cost more in 10 years from now.

Garry says:

05:54pm | 07/05/10

Abbott’s lazy? Really? Your right he doesn’t deserve the keys to the Lodge, the lazy basta#$@. Kevin has integrity and is honest. don’t forget if you vote for honest Kev who has integrity there won’t be any broken promises, no back flips and no stuff ups. Kev’s your man!

BobM says:

06:07pm | 07/05/10

I have always voted Liberal and still will this time because I cant stand Rudd he is lazy, dishonest has no integrity and I will be voting for Abbott to keep this nasty piece of work from keeping the keys to the lodge.

There Mick, I fixed that for you.

Darryl Price says:

06:37pm | 07/05/10

If you are going to pretend to be a Liberal voter turned away by Tony Abbott you need to put a bit more thought into it. Call him a boor, or arrogant or dumb as a bag of hammers, but you can’t call him lazy.

Christian Real says:

02:17pm | 08/05/10

Mick,
Abbott appears to be dishonest and does not have a real lot of integrity, nor does he have any substantial policies to put forward either.
Lazy isn’t a word that i would have used to describe Abbott, he is more of an opportunist, and a poser in his budgie smugglers.