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Australian Politics
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Australia
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So what differentiate the parties?
Post the positives of Your preferred Party Policies ... without the spin
The Greens’ climate change policies and focus on social justice are widely known. However, for most people, it all comes back to the question, how much will it cost? The driving force behind the Greens economic policies is the belief that there is no economy without the environment. Their thinking is, our resources are finite so how can one expect infinite growth? The trouble with this is that the current global economic system relies on growth.
From a social justice perspective, the Greens say that widening gaps between the rich and poor mean essential services are being cut back. The Greens strongly argue that the revenue raised from higher taxes should be for the purpose of all Australians.
The Greens believe their policies for improved education, infrastructure like high speed rail, better health care services, especially for indigenous Australians justify heavy taxation. The economic policies are radical as the strong emphasis on the environment, infrastructure and improved social services relies on heavy taxes as well limited economic growth.
Some of the Greens’ economic policies include:
A progressive taxation system where those who earn more, pay more. This includes increasing tax to 50% for those who earn $1m or over Lowering tax on small business to 28% Removing Fringe Benefits Tax which promote increased use of motor vehicles Removing concessional arrangements for Capital Gains Tax Ensuring the mining tax returns to the proposed Resource Super Profits Tax, not the Minerals Resource Rent Tax Introduce an estate tax, otherwise known as death duties, This is where individual’s assets are taxed when they die. Under this policy the family home, farm and small business will be protected with a threshold of up to $5 million. Australia had federal and state estate taxes that were abolished in 1979. Incidentally, the Henry Tax Review contained a recommendation for the re-introduction of an estate tax which the ALP rejected. Abolishing the 30% Private Health Insurance Rebate in order to increase funding for public hospitals Tax family trusts in the same way companies are taxed Conduct an inquiry with a view to implement changes to the tax system addressing any negative impacts of the GST Implement a shift in the tax system to place more taxes on natural resources and pollution (hence support for a carbon tax and the mining tax) Implement measures at all levels of government to incorporate social, environmental and financial impacts into policy development and assessment (this is called triple bottom line reporting)
Other policies include:
ASYLUM SEEKERS: End mandatory detention for asylum seekers
EDUCATION: Every child in Australia to have access to at least two years of public preschool education & for schools funding to be placed on an equitable footing by reversing the excessive increases in Commonwealth funding to non-government schools in recent years
INTERNET: The Greens support the ALP’s National Broadband Network but oppose the mandatory internet filter (Cheat sheet on filter here http://www.mamamia.com.au/weblog/2010/07/mamamia-cheat-sheet-the-mandatory-internet-filter.html)
DISABILITY: Allow full tax deductibility for any aids, devices, special equipment or services that directly assist people with disability in finding a job.
PRISONERS: Implement alternatives to imprisonment, where appropriate, including restorative justice and diversionary programs.
HEALTH: Make Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s health a funding priority, with a focus on community-controlled health services and additional community-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child-care services
DRUGS: Introduce the regulated use of cannabis for specified medical purposes, such as intractable pain. Increase the availability of harm reduction programs, including needle and syringe exchanges and medically supervised injecting rooms and implement a rigorous scientific trial of prescribed heroin to registered users in line with the proposed 1996 ACT government heroin trial.
MARRIAGE: Legislate to allow marriage regardless of sexuality or gender identity.
GENDER IDENTITY: Establish intersex as a gender recognised by the legal system. Support gender assignment for people born with an intersex condition being made only when they are able to express personal sexual identity”.
FOREIGN AID: Increase foreign aid to 0.7% and create a separate minister for international development as well as an independent AusAID
ARTS: Increase funding incentives for artists and arts events to tour and/or establish in rural and regional areas.
SEX: End the criminalisation of consensual adult sex workers.
INTERNET: The Greens support the ALP’s National Broadband Network but oppose the mandatory internet filter
http://www.mamamia.com.au/weblog/2010/08/the-greens-read-this-2min-cheat-sheet-before-you-vote.html
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