While it's easy to be caught up in the media frenzy about big business not paying their fair share, we must look at the whole picture before condemning them.

Firstly there is the amount of income tax and other taxes they generate, through direct employees and contractors, along with their employees and consultants that simply would not have jobs, or generate taxes if not for the big end of town.

Secondly, the reality is we have one of, if not the, most expensive places in which to do business, which means for large corporations to survive, they often have no choice other than to funnel much of their profits off shore to more tax friendly countries, BUT,, they still create jobs here which generates taxes and spending here.

Finally, our countries government provided services requires dollars by way of tax credits, not percentages so although some may get upset about the percentage they pay, think about the dollars they pay, the jobs they create and where we will be should we drive them away.

As I often say, be careful what you wish for because many large corporations are already questioning their reasons for doing business here and many developing countries are becoming quite appealing as potential business alternatives.

Rehctub, spoken like a true Liberal supporter.

My mother always said it was best to support the Liberals.....they represented the middle classes, predominantly Catholics, tax cuts for middle class people, and big businesses.

I rarely did what my mother said...

ODD LOL

Dear Rehctub,

<<many large corporations are already questioning their reasons for doing business here>>

Then let them go - Good Riddance!

Smaller businesses and individuals are paying their taxes in full, so it's unfair competition.

Your argument when applied to banks does not work as with laws to require depositors to "bail in" failing banks and too ig to fail banks and too big to prosecute banks.
They do not pay there way.

It is amusing when the large miners threaten to take their ball and go home if we do not let them play their way.
How I wonder are they going to take "their" mines away complete with the minerals in the ground?
OK there are some jobs at the moment but you can bet that if there is a downturn in for instance iron ore prices, they will lay off thousands and mothball the mines.
Sorry Rehctub but the idea that some morsels filter down to the underlings is a furphy that is so wrong it would be funny if it were not serious.
ALL companies should be made to pay not just tax but a great big tax.
If they do not like that, then get the hell out of Australia.
The minerals will not disappear but will be available for us when we want them and not just sold off for profits for offshore shareholders.