Foreign multinationals operating in Australia are being driven mad by debate in the Senate over stronger tax transparency laws that apply to them. It’s not that the discussion in the Senate is about putting an end to the corporate tax avoidance industry. it is about introducing a little more disclosure to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), and that the information should be available to the public. Continue reading Multinationals push back against greater tax disclosure
The latest Guardian Essential poll pinpointed some telling truths about how Australians feel about where Australia is heading and how our political leaders are responding to the challenges of the day. This is just one poll, of course, and one poll can never tell the whole truth. Continue reading Most of Australia is not happy with the nation’s direction
I have put some effort into trying to make sense of the present battlefield offensive pf the Kiev forces in Ukraine. After trolling through claims and counter claims and getting a sense of the military strategies of both sides, some things have become quite obvious. These do not sit well with the barrage of media propaganda. Continue reading A peace movement is needed to put an end to Ukraine war
A United Nations investigator, with a background in the Irish legal system has released a report that calls for proper treatment of prisoners still being held in the Guantanamo detention centre. Headed by Irish law expert Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, a team visited the prison where 30 men continue to be incarcerated without any date for release. Continue reading United Nations investigation highlights cruel treatment of prisoners still in Guantanamo
Back on 18 January, cannery workers at Visy in Shepparton took strike action for 24 hours over stalled negotiations between their union and management for a new agreement. They walked of the job again on 25 and 17 January, and again on 17 March. Strikes have continued for 2 shifts each week.
Visy is Australia’s largest privately-owned company with an annual turnover of $7 billion. Continue reading Visy workers are fighting for a liveable deal
Donald Trump has finally been arrested and charged with criminal offenses and faces 37 counts of having committed federal crimes. This is over the theft of sensitive classified documents. Not surprisingly, Trump protests his innocence.
“We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty,” his lawyer said in the Miami court. Continue reading Donald Trump case is about which faction of Wall Street will dominate
Continue reading The problem with PWC and the Big 4 : Treason is the business model
Being able to afford a home to provide for housing needs is an important part of living a quality life. In fact, a decent home to live in should be treated as fundamental human right. If was to be treated this way in Australia, the government would act to ensure this right was met, and what it had to do to achieve this end would be a no brainer. Continue reading It is time to get serious about the housing affordability crisis
The elite that dominates the United States is running scared. Two prominent issues reveal this. One is the fear of the rise of China, and the other is what is the future of the economy and politics at home. The second one is at present being fought out in the battle over the government debt ceiling. Both are signs of the new uncertainty. Continue reading Australia must let go of reliance on a declining United States to secure our future
The scandal engulfing consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Australia and its misuse of confidential government data to help clients avoid tax is escalating, and a week ago, senior management agreed to stand down those who were alleged to be directly involved in doing this. This appears to be way to for the company extricate itself from a sticky situation through putting the blame on these individuals. But it is unimaginable that such behaviour could take place without a conspiracy and approval. If not direct participation from the top. Continue reading Conflict of interest means the AFP should not be investigating the PwC tax scandal
