Julia
In Memoriam
- Joined
- 10 May 2005
- Posts
- 16,986
- Reactions
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A current peeve for me is the extraordinary amount of packaging on most retail goods. Lots of cardboard to make it look as though we are getting more for our money, then when you finally make it through to the actual product, more shrink-wrapping to be prised off.
And the newspapers! Not only are they wrapped in about 6 metres of shrink wrap, then they twist the ends so it's nigh impossible to unroll.
Bouquet to Australia Post for producing terrific post packages. Protective of what one is sending and simple for both sender and recipient.
lol could be worse mate - a rough pub I was in a few weeks back - and they went round selling tickets in the meat trayI second that!
Especially when they double wrap meat, and after unwrapping the first layer you see the previous use by date!!!!
lol could be worse mate - a rough pub I was in a few weeks back - and they went round selling tickets in the meat tray
- and there under the cellophane was a bloody great fly
yeow! I only get headaches - usually after a bit of festivityHahaha, that's gross man!!!
PP: Migraines, nuff said...
*deep breaths*
On one hand we have a government that amidst all the fan fare of the 20-20 summit announced an inclination to simplify the tax system who were elected, partly, on a promise of no increased taxes.
On the other, we have them raising taxes on alcohol while shouting from the rooftops “won’t somebody think of the children!” as if that’s meant to justify it. Anyone who speaks ill of it (as I expect to happen to me) is charged with neglecting the best interests of our children.
What we have here is a systemic failure in parenting and the public outsourcing responsibility to a government all too happy to bolster their coffers with increased taxes.
The reality?
Alcohol has long been proven VERY price in-elastic. Large increases in cost do little to reduce demand.
The cost?
Responsible people, such as you and I, are made to pay even more taxes than we already do for little or no REAL benefit to anyone but a government wanting to ‘look good’ and parents that lack the will to take responsibility for their children.
Governments should be responsible for providing what we as individuals can’t – they should not be responsible for making decisions for us.
HAHAHA... God do I agree with you Doc, I had a debate with my wife about this only 2 nights ago...
The only thing that is going to happen is an increase of funds in the coffers - as you say, alcohol, like cigarettes, have an inelastic demand curve... Price shifting, unless a price shock, is not likely to reduce consumption.
Basics of Govt thinking:
We need to be seen to be doing something here, I know what we will do, lets put a spin on increasing revenue to the Federal Government!
Cheers
The attached chart (taken from a UWA paper on the issue) summarises the observed price elasticity of beer over numerous studies conducted both in Australia and around the world. It clearly shows that beer is very inelastic and that changes in price would have a very small impact on consumption levels.The same is true for alcohol consumption. Increase the price, reduce the consumption.
I've done some post grad studies in public health, and during my research, it was found that the single best way to reduce the number of people smoking, and the number of ciggarettes smoked is via increased price. The removal of ads, all the education, all the anti-smoking promotion, all the health warnings on packs, had significantly less impact than simple price rises.
The same is true for alcohol consumption. Increase the price, reduce the consumption.
The same is true for alcohol consumption. Increase the price, reduce the consumption.
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