This paper summarises data on public opinion in Australia regarding taxation and social issues. It finds that several surveys have identified a long term trend of declining concern about taxation but rising concern for issues such as health and education and a greater preparedness for taxes to rise to fund services. Overall, these findings suggest...

This ACOSS Senate Inquiry submission finds that the Government's higher education proposals fail to address the problem of student poverty and are likely to lead to fewer students from low income families attending university. The government's proposed scholarships are welcome but do not outweigh the negative aspects of the package. The submission quotes from recent...

This report, written with National Shelter, shows that the federal government's rent assistance program is failing to prevent around 330,000 low income people and families being crushed by high rents in the private rental market. Analysing data on the almost one million age pensioners, people with disabilities, sole parents, unemployed people and students who receive...

Last month, the Government released a draft Charities Bill, 2003 to define 'charity' for taxation purposes and asked the Board of Taxation to consult over its wording. The draft Charities Bill contains unreasonable and unnecessary restrictions on the advocacy role of charities. While welcoming the broad direction of the Bill, the ACOSS submission recommends: removing...

The Federal Government is providing high income Australians with increasing amounts of 'well-off welfare'. This ACOSS analysis shows that six Government decisions over the past four years have added to a pie now worth $7.2 billion in unnecessary tax breaks and assistance that mainly goes to the top 20-25% of taxpayers.