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The Forum > Article Comments > Does fairness matter? > Comments

Does fairness matter? : Comments

By Max Atkinson, published 6/10/2014

Perhaps the most striking feature of the budget debates is the government's refusal to discuss the question of fairness.

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When one regrets a promise they made, the honest thing to do is to ask those to whom the promise was made whether they are willing to release them from that promise.
Posted by Yuyutsu, Monday, 6 October 2014 10:09:34 AM
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Max's article is about fairness but he doesn't define it or give any idea what he means by it. Presumably everyone just knows what fairness means - it means what Max wants it to mean.

In particular Max gives no reason why it's okay to threaten to cage and rape people in order to force them to submit to the confiscation of the fruits of their labour, so that coercive monopolists can give it to political favourites, which is what Max seems to be advocating in the idea that "lower income groups" are some kind of natural priviligentsia, entitled to live at others' expense.

"One such value - perhaps the most important because it is arguably the foundation for the above rights - is the principle that a government must treat all citizens with equal concern for their interests and equal respect as members of the community."

So does that mean you oppose progressive taxation, Max? It's obviously inconsistent with treating all citizens with equal concern for their interests and equal respect as members of the community, isn't it?
Posted by Jardine K. Jardine, Monday, 6 October 2014 11:09:43 AM
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Does fairness matter?
Well of course it does, as does true justice; inherently, one and the same thing.
And never ever in the eye of the beholder JKJ!
Otherwise we would tolerate honor killings, and the stoning to death of ACCUSED NOT PROVEN adulterers?
The government had other FAIRER means at their disposal, such as making professional tax dodgers; pay a fair share, or failing that, some tax!
An given those that avoid AND BY THE BILLIONS, include major multi nationals, with budgets bigger than many sovereign nations; not before time!
Albeit, making them pay a fair share, still requires real reform and courage, and a good deal more than just laying out the granny killing GST; that actually allows it!
One can't imagine how any living/eking out a bare existence on a paltry pension, can now afford to heat, or more importantly, cool their homes?
When power bills that used to be around 4-500 dollars a year, are now around a thousand+ a quarter!
And the granny killing GST component, has risen from 4-50 dollars a year, to now nearing 4-500!
That's the fresh fruit and vegetable budget for a year, for some, but particularly, those now shelling out more than a single pension, for a Sydney bedsit!
Bursting at the seams, bloated billionaires, just don't need all that assistance; or Blatant Bull, merely masquerading as a fair and equitable, inherently fair, tax system!
But particularly, when real reform, would hand a much fairer deal to those who currently pay most/all of our tax!!
The real measure of nation, is how well it treats its less well off!
Rhrosty.
Posted by Rhrosty, Monday, 6 October 2014 12:28:26 PM
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The bit that amazes me aout Abbotts parental paid scheme, is that people actually believed he was going to deliver. I mean, anyone can make a promise, but, in this case, where it takes money, that simply was not going to happen as long as our bums point to the ground, in fact, labor made sure of that and it will now be up to the third generation to come to provide taxes surplus to our needs, if ever. I say this because labors last two stints in office have accounted for the next two generations taxes. It, the scheme has been the greatest con I've seen for a while.

As for fairness, there's no such thing as in this country you're either a giver, or a taker, and the givers, the top 20% of earners always complain about their taxes being wasted, while the takers are never satisfied with what someone else has provided.

The thing is that while most of us have enjoyed what's been gifted to us from governments (tax payers) these gifts have now become entitlements to many.

The only way forward is to stop the entitlements and move towards a society that is assisted if and when they help themselves. Of cause there are exceptions, but a 25 yo who has not bothered to gain experience is no such exception.

The other point very few seem to acknowledge is that we are now fast approaching a zero car industry country. This will have implication on our employment like none of us have experienced, so while the budget emergency may seem to have retracted for now, what about in 2016.

Labor don't have the answers, because there's no one in line for the top job, and their leader is about as popular as a dropped pie.

Of cause we can call on the top 1% tp pay more in taxes, but. Considering they create most of the jobs here, either directly, or indirectly, it would be a game move if we threaten them with the big stick.

Fairness will never happen.
Posted by rehctub, Monday, 6 October 2014 12:35:29 PM
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'fairness' is only ever in the eye of the beholder. Some teachers/nurses working for $80000 a year think they are hard done by while others are more than grateful for a good pay and many holidays. Some on welfare feel its unfair they only get a few hundred a week while others working hard see some spending their taxes on drugs, cigarettes and bludging. Does fairness matter? Probably not nearly as much as keeping one's word. Successive Governments have been very poor at that. In an age where wedding vows mean nothing to people, employers/employees show no loyalty to each other and sleazy lawyers reward laziness why are we surprised that Pollies represent those who vote for them.
Posted by runner, Monday, 6 October 2014 12:36:40 PM
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@runner

Just for you http://youtu.be/gDnE-5lD7w8 ;-)

With even some National and Liberal Senators opposing Paid Parental Leave (PPL) long may it be blocked. Twas Abbott's main pet project.
Posted by plantagenet, Monday, 6 October 2014 1:21:39 PM
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