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tim colebatch
Tim Colebatch at SPC Forum 21 October 2015

Colebatch on tax reform

As Tim Colebatch, former economics editor of the Age, said at a Social Policy Connections forum on 21 October, key community sectors have been engaging in worthwhile conversations about what needs to be done to raise enough income to improve living conditions and plan for increasing populations.

 

 


tax the 1percent 2
tax-the-1-percent-d, Darya Mead, flickr cc.

Taxing talk, or tax reform?

Tony  French

While we continue to talk ineffectually about the pressing need for tax reform, the tax base continues to shrink. Tim Colebatch reminds us that there is a prevalent attitude that it’s okay to pay little or no tax, encouragingly assisted by advisers and tax havens. There are plenty of tax minimisation opportunities onshore, too – super, negative gearing, trusts, and companies. Any notion that there might be some moral basis for paying tax is, well, simply absurd. Prior to their fiscal tragedy, the Greeks infamously used to say, only the dumb pay tax. Here, the people who don’t have options to minimise their tax are wage and salary earners.

men against violence against women.
Marshall Center walks to stop domestic violence, George C Marshall European Center for Security Studies, flickr cc

Seventy-six women have died
from violence this year

Jenny Begent

It’s unbelievable, yet all too true. I am so enmeshed in the family violence sector that, when the news of yet another family violence homicide is reported, I find it increasingly difficult to believe. Despite the ;ast two years’ investment to prevent it in advocacy, money, and political will, I wonder if we will ever see the end of this blight on humanity

 


wind farm
20130528_07_Waterloo, David Clarke, flickr cc.

Australians can be sustainable without sacrificing lifestyle or economy

Steve Hatfield-Dodds, Chief Scientist Integration Science & Public Policy CSIRO

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article

A sustainable Australia is possible. But we have to choose it. That’s the finding of a paper published in Nature. The paper is the result of a project delivering the first Australian National Outlook Report, more than two years in the making, also released by the CSIRO.

As part of this analysis, the study looked at whether achieving sustainability will require a shift in our values, such as rejecting consumerism. It also looked at the contributions of choices made by individuals (for example, reducing water or energy consumption), and of choices made collectively by society (such policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions).
The study found that collective policy choices are crucial, and that Australia could make great progress towards sustainability without changes in social values.


album photo cefic.indd
Turning the tide on climate change by Robert Kandel, Philippe 2009, flickr cc.

Cleaning up the mess
in climate policy

Nicholas Rowley

More than ten years ago, analysis by Ken Henry under then Treasurer Peter Costello recommended a national emissions trading scheme. The advice was ignored. In 2006, John Howard asked Peter Shergold, then Head of the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet, to examine the most effective ways to achieve the emissions reductions required. He, too, concluded that an emissions trading scheme was necessary. Wanting to adopt his own approach, the advice was ignored by incoming Prime Minister Rudd.


 

syrian refugees
Syrian Refugees in Vienna Trainstation, Josh Zakary, flickr cc.

Mr Abbott unveiled:
his Thatcher speech

Bruce Duncan

What worried Catholics, among others, was Abbott’s apparent neglect of core Christian social values about care for the distressed and vulnerable, social equity, and justice. We wondered how his government could treat asylum seekers so cruelly. We were further confounded by the first Abbott budget which hit poor sections of the community hard, while favouring the well-off.


hear
16.MoralClimateAction. WDC. 24September2015, Elvert Barnes, flickr cc.

Pope Francis
prioritising social justice

Bruce Duncan

The Synod of Bishops issued a statement on 26 October, appealing for purposeful action at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) to be held in Paris in late November, when international leaders meet to sign commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Representatives from the world’s seven continental areas appealed for a “fair, legally-binding, and truly transformational agreement” to address global warming and avoid the catastrophic consequences of climate change threatening millions of people.
Synod members called for complete decarbonisation of the economy by 2050, and for new models of lifestyle and development. They said those countries responsible for most of the greenhouse gases are ethically obliged to take the lead in emissions reduction, and to help poor countries adjust and raise living standards. They also called for a new economic growth model ensuring inclusion of the poor, social equity, sustainability, and decent living standards for all. They see the upcoming conference as a decisive moment for action to redress climate change.


Social Policy Connections
Annual General Meeting

Wednesday 2 December 7pm
34 Bedford Street Box Hill
The AGM will be followed at 7:30 by an address by

augustine doronillaDr Augustine Doronila

In search of a sustainable future:
the Paris climate conference & the impact of Pope Francis

Refreshments will be served afterwards.

Serious about
social justice?

Consider study at Yarra Theological Union (YTU), or at other colleges within the University of Divinity in Melbourne. Undergraduate to higher degrees. 

YTU units include :

  • Justice & Human  Rights
  • The History of Catholic Social Thought & Movements
  • Equity & Sustainability: Pope Francis & Social Reform
  • Major Issues in Contemporary Moral Theology
  • Inter-Religious Dialogue
  • Social Teaching & Aboriginal Australians

Contact the Dean of Studies Yarra Theological Union 98 Albion Road Box Hill 3128  |  admin@ytu.edu.au  |  03 9890 3771.

Download the YTU handbook and a list of other University of Divinity colleges.


Youth Collaboration Network

A new collaborative network of youth groups to build capacity through sharing skills and resources to maximise each group’s ability to assist the community.

Forum 1
Wednesday 25 November 8:15-12:30 (lunch)
St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, Gerald Ward House, 43 Prospect Street, Box Hill
Communities of practice: establishing sustainable collaboration
For key people in your organisation responsible for development of youth and education policy, structure, and operations. Up to 3 people per organisation.

RSVP Wednesday 18 November michael.walter@svdp-vic.org.au, advising dietary requirements


Books available at SPC

Social justice & the churches: challenges & responsibilities. 
Edited by John D’Arcy May $25+$5 postage and handling.
A world united or a world exploited? Christian perspectives on globalisation. Edited by Peter Price $20+$5 postage and handling.
Social justice: fuller life in a fairer world. Bruce Duncan $25+$5.
Sufficient for the day: towards a sustainable culture. Geoff Lacey $15+$5.
Young people, faith, & social justice. Joan Daw $20+$5.
Towards a better world. Arthur Gibbs $10+$5.

SPC on YouTube
Tim Colebatch on tax reform

Tax Reform: a social justice perspective

Taxing the wrong things

 

 

 


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