“Before the Second World War the states were the drivers of Australian fiscal policy, collecting the bulk of taxes and doing most of the spending. The commonwealth was a relatively minor player. In 1942, however, the states agreed to commonwealth taking over income tax powers.   Today, for the first time since then, the balance of power in the Australian federation is shifting from the commonwealth back to the states and territories.”   (The Mandarin 28/4/21)   How governments raise, spend and re-distribute ‘OUR’ money should be an issue of critical interest to all Australians.  

Hydrogen is a dream fuel because it does not generate carbon dioxide when burned.An article in the Economist describes how a research team based in Germany has found an ingenious way to store and carry hydrogen energy by creating a chemical compound called hydrogen goop. At Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials in Germany, Dr Marcus Vogt and his team created a magnesium hydride-based “power paste” that stores hydrogen in a chemical form and ready for release on demand. Supplying hydrogen as a paste is a way to get around its storage limitation and challenges.https://climateadaptationplatform.com/hydrogen-goop-stable-way-of-conveying-hydrogen-energy/

Opportunity exists to pivot from the divisive debate over Australia Day to one that respects and builds on the heritage of all the groups that makeup today’s Australian community.Noel Pearson and the Referendum Council have proposed a model of ‘three great streams’ to acknowledge the different but equally important core groups who make up the Australian population:·      The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures; ·      The British institutions and histories which are the foundations of our liberal democratic system; ·      The rich range of other cultures, faiths and ethnic backgrounds that contribute to our multicultural society

Our politicians must start “practising what they preach” – including effective diversity programs and embracing the Hayne Royal Commission’s six fundamental statements, that define the intent of the law:   1. Obey the law 2. Do not mislead or deceive 3. Act fairly 4. Provide services that are fit for purpose 5. Deliver services with reasonable care and skill 6. When acting for another, act in the best interests of that other.   If our politicians were to behave, and be judged, in-line with these principles we would not be seeing them in such a “muddle” and being so “distrusted”.

Our Senate is too often obstructive to efficient and effective government in Australia.   The Senate was designed to be a check and balance in our Federation but now often obstructs governments from implementing their clear electoral mandate.   New Zealand operates effectively without an upper house. The UK Upper House by convention allows the elected government to implement the platform presented to the electorate, can only block a bill three times before the lower house can pass this into law, and cannot block supply.   Australians deserve a better system – let’s band together and push for change!http://democraticrenewal.org.au/

When change is required, the government of a democracy should seek the ‘common good’ solution - one that appeals to the majority and is least problematic to others.   Reform in Australia is inherently challenging as the ‘politics’ at both state and federal level can de-rail change, even if majority community support exists.   Tax Reform in Australia has been held back for too long by political wrangling and manoeuvring.   Our politicians should put their egos aside and seek community input to determine a tax reform package that is viewed as a ‘common good’ and then get on with implementation.