Since the Libs came to power they have been obsessed with cutting back on spending and putting us back in the black. Recently the media has shone a light on just how some large corporations are dodging their tax responsibilities, but still the government refuses to address the problem and rather than hardening our tax laws and chasing after the these companies they are chasing nickels and dimes from mum and dad, I'm wondering why - coruption?
Could it be the Libs have something to gain by not chasing these companies? Considering the $ numbers we are talking about, if the Libs were harden our tax laws and chase these companies we could be back in the black in very short order and mum and dad would be far better off.
Labour was no different, it is a long standing problem.

You admit that Labor was "no different", so why bring it up now. If neither of the major parties will not do thing about it, that's that. Labor is talking about it at the moment only to discredit the government - even though Labor was "no different" when they had the chance; and the government will not even comment. We've been through this recently. Discussion by us plebs is a total waste of time. It's all part of the global/multinational business enthusiasm that all politicians are part of.

I believe it's a case of coercion.

The corporations in question are mostly American and Uncle Sam would not be happy if anyone tries to touch them.

Until we have nuclear and biological weapons of our own, we will remain a colony of America and never be allowed to say 'No'.

Well personally I enjoy discussing such topics, if I didn't I wouldn't bother posting. That of course brings us to you ttbn, if you don't then why bother posting - not making a lot of sense there!

The corporations aren't all American, there are a lot of Australian companies with offshore offices and of course Ikea. I'm no fan of America but America is but one player in this area, no sense in blaming them, it is our successive governments who are dodging the issue.

Only by discussing such issues and keeping them in the spotlight can we hope to bring about change, saying there is nothing we can do about it is just lame!

toglhot,

A. I haven't seen you posting before and you might not have seen previous discussions.

B. It is most unlikely that anything will be done about the situation; certainly not at the behest of anonymous posters. It is, therefore futile.

C. Discussion is also futile because the average person would not benefit in the slightest if politicians did decide to tax multinationals. Politicians can never have enough money to spend. Nothing would change as far as we are concerned. We would still be taxed, and the multinational's tax would be BLOWN just as our taxes are. Pollies cannot stop spending.

D. If the hard word was put on the multinationals to pay more tax, they would simply move to Ireland where company rates are much lower. EXIT MORE AUSTRALIAN JOBS. Australia already is increasingly becoming an unattractive place to do business, thanks to red tape and high wages. Neither party wants to lose any more commerce than they have already.

Are you saying if a subject has been discussed before you should never discuss it again - what an interesting way of looking things:

That aside, your still not making a lot of sense, if it's futile to discuss it, why are you discussing it?

I think you are missing the point, these companies have already moved offshore to places like Ireland - that's why they aren't paying tax!

Finally, on your logic, little people can't change anything so they shouldn't try - again, what an interesting way of looking at things.

Perhaps you should move on to a topic this isn't so futile!