Classic “pork barrel” theory, as originally developed by Weingast et al (1981), argues that larger legislatures lead to increased spending, especially on capital, and the… Read More ›
The principle of subsidiarity, when applied to taxation, suggests that the incidence of taxation should be at the level where they are most salient, and… Read More ›
Amalgamation is a popular tool for local government sector reform. Amalgamation of councils is employed frequently by Australian State governments seeking to increase council efficiency,… Read More ›
On Friday morning last week I put on the TV in Queensland to catch the final stages of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race on commercial television,… Read More ›
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has just released its latest analysis of the effects of government benefits and taxes on household income. Overall, it shows… Read More ›
Goods and Services Tax (GST) reform options, in the form of widening the base, lifting the rate, and reducing exemptions, have recently returned to prominence… Read More ›
Originally published in the Huffington Post 31 March. Initial reaction to Turnbull’s proposal to allow some form of State income tax has ranged from it being… Read More ›
In Brazil and Argentina, as in Australia, public welfare goods and payments have become increasingly targeted. They also increasingly have conditions attached. The ‘targeted’ welfare… Read More ›
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