I used to have casual talks with Ian .... he's rural interests to the core. I believed him to be one of those guys who realised to make change for good, you have to be in the mix that has that power.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nat...h/news-story/069fe81ecfcf76923a38d4d18d8139b8
Xenophon urged the committee to put in place a more transparent system, which would see monthly entitlements published and tougher penalties to force MPs to pay back twice the amount claimed for cases of abuse.http://www.theguardian.com/australi...or-penalties-in-politician-entitlement-scheme
He said if the review recommends a “bit of window dressing”, parliamentary entitlements would become an election issue.
“If this is going to lead to a bit of tinkering or a bit of window dressing, it won’t cut it for most Australians, who don’t like different standards for MPs than for everyone else – and I am only talking about normal tax office standards,” Xenophon told Guardian Australia.
Xenophon came up with the scheme after his office mistakenly claimed a night of travel allowance in Brisbane, not knowing he came home because a speech finished early. The finance department accepted the claim based on an electronic signature.
When Xenophon realised the mistake – he paid back double the amount and gave instructions that any Freedom of Information (FOI) request regarding the claim should be approved.
He said doubling the repayment in the case of mistake or abuse would “focus the minds” of MPs.
“Transparency and larger penalties would make a real difference in terms of avoiding abuse and would also increase the public confidence in the system,” Xenophon said.
In the current mix of politicians in Canberra Nick Xenophon is probably one of the most respected by all sides of politics. In particular he has taken the lead on pressuring Parliament to take a far closer look at politicians travel arrangements and "keep them honest".
This quote from an article on that subject highlights how focused he is on the topic. I think He will be one of the pollies who improves his vote in the next election.
http://www.theguardian.com/australi...or-penalties-in-politician-entitlement-scheme
In the current mix of politicians in Canberra Nick Xenophon is probably one of the most respected by all sides of politics. In particular he has taken the lead on pressuring Parliament to take a far closer look at politicians travel arrangements and "keep them honest".
This quote from an article on that subject highlights how focused he is on the topic. I think He will be one of the pollies who improves his vote in the next election.
http://www.theguardian.com/australi...or-penalties-in-politician-entitlement-scheme
In the current mix of politicians in Canberra Nick Xenophon is probably one of the most respected by all sides of politics. In particular he has taken the lead on pressuring Parliament to take a far closer look at politicians travel arrangements and "keep them honest".
This quote from an article on that subject highlights how focused he is on the topic. I think He will be one of the pollies who improves his vote in the next election.
http://www.theguardian.com/australi...or-penalties-in-politician-entitlement-scheme
I find the focus on travel entitlements etc. a little myopic. Even if they were all defrauding the system its peanuts in the scheme of things.
There is such a thing as setting an example.
Politicians can hardly criticise the excesses of coporations if they have their own snouts in the trough.
I don't see the Libs rushing to hold a Royal Commission into this :-
Liberal Party used 'charitable' Free Enterprise Foundation to disguise donations: NSW Electoral Commission
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-...d-political-donations-free-enterprise/7272446
Typical of the ABC, dredging up stories that may well be true, but always around elections, leadership spills, etc ... oh yeah that really doesn't allow them any periods of disassociation does it.
They must think we are stoopid or sumthink
I don't see the Libs rushing to hold a Royal Commission into this :-
Liberal Party used 'charitable' Free Enterprise Foundation to disguise donations: NSW Electoral Commission
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-...d-political-donations-free-enterprise/7272446
Heh heh, I really dig a bit of muck-racking but will this mud stick to the Federal Libs?
Doubt it.
No, wait, um, well, ah, I mean... nah, can't happen coz there is simply NO corruption at any level of govt.
Thousands of empty homes adding to Sydney's housing crisis, experts say
March 28, 2016 - Leesha McKenny and Inga Ting
SMH: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/thousands...xperts-say-20160323-gnpc52.html#ixzz4492i7NqE
Sydney's housing affordability crisis is being artificially inflated by up to 90,000 properties standing empty in some of the city's most desirable suburbs, experts say.
Vacant properties were among the "perverse outcomes" of tax incentives that encouraged some investors to favour capital growth over rental returns, according to the analysis by the UNSW's City Futures Research Centre.
"Leaving housing empty is both profitable and subsidised by government," researchers Bill Randolph and Laurence Troy said. "This is taxation lunacy and a national scandal."...
This is why Labor should stay the course on negative gearing (my bolds).
This is why Labor should stay the course on negative gearing (my bolds).
If the ALP play this card correctly at the election they might win.
Turnbull has no idea how the other half live and Bishop thinks she is a teenager the way she dresses and struts around.
As much as I think Shorten is a no hoper I'd have to back him on this one.
We really need a take no prisoners Paul Keating right now, popular/hated, but visionary, smart, articulate and vehemently Australian and a nation builder.
Thousands of empty homes adding to Sydney's housing crisis, experts say
March 28, 2016 - Leesha McKenny and Inga Ting
SMH: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/thousands...xperts-say-20160323-gnpc52.html#ixzz4492i7NqE
Sydney's housing affordability crisis is being artificially inflated by up to 90,000 properties standing empty in some of the city's most desirable suburbs, experts say.
Vacant properties were among the "perverse outcomes" of tax incentives that encouraged some investors to favour capital growth over rental returns, according to the analysis by the UNSW's City Futures Research Centre.
"Leaving housing empty is both profitable and subsidised by government," researchers Bill Randolph and Laurence Troy said. "This is taxation lunacy and a national scandal."...
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