GST Yes or No.

Last night I watched a discussion on increasing revenues rather than simply cutting everything.  It is obvious that to keep our economy healthy, we need to allow for steady growth and reduce our deficit.  Whether, the deficit should be the primary concern is a debatable issue.

However, we all know that if we wish to spend more on worthwhile projects and improve the lot of those on fixed incomes then we must increase our income stream.  At the present time, the discussion seems to revolve around cutting costs whereas last night, the speakers on the programme I was watching suggested that it would be better to increase the GST.

The argument was that by increasing the GST across the board including those things that at present are excluded, would be provide an income stream that could be used to increase pensions and other Social benefits.  Money would also then be available for important matters such as education and health improvements.  Those on fixed incomes could be recompensed for any negative impact this increase would have.

It was suggested that a much larger sum of money would be available to grow Australia in terms of education, health and infrastructure by increasing our revenue source rather than the small gains that may be made by reducing services or the size of the public service.

None of us like an increase in taxes particularly those that are sure to bring increased costs across the board.  However, it is time to think about whether we wish to go forward or back for a sustainable prosperous future for all Australians.  If people were given to understand that these taxes would be spent on better programmes and increases in living standards then perhaps the benefits of such a policy would be more acceptable. The GST at least is an equitable tax that is payable by everyone.

I think that if people could be assured that the increase would be spent on benefits for the population rather than just applied to the surplus, then it is possible that agreement could be reached.  However, it would take negotiation.  We would need our politicians to sit down and work out the details so that Liberals can protect businesses and Labor can protect the workers and social benefits recipients and find a compromise that suits everyone.  I know I'm dreaming.  Further discussion on GST can be found in The Conversationhttps://theconversation.com/raise-the-gst-the-conversation-we-have-to-have-25202.