Does Jessie support tax reform?

Answer

Tax reform is central to my policy platform as an Independent candidate.  Rebalancing our tax system to make more fair is one of my priorities.  This includes introducing a Natural Resources Tax - it seems nonsensical that HECs payments are higher than the Petroleum Resources Rent Tax for gas companies.

I support indexing income tax thresholds to help preserve the benefits of Labor’s tax cuts for low and middle income earners and to impose discipline on Governments who otherwise might rely on fiscal drag to balance the books at the expense of younger generations’ increased tax bills.    I also support exploring sensible changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax rules to ensure first home buyers are on a level playing field with investors in Australia’s housing market. Meanwhile, small businesses drive the ACT economy but are under enormous pressure due to rising costs. It is not fair that small businesses pay more tax that large corporations; this needs urgent reform.

We have an ageing population and a shrinking birth rate; we need to increase tax revenue beyond our heavy reliance on individual income tax to be able to maintain our services, infrastructure and Australian quality of life.

As you may be aware, many Independents on the crossbench are seeking similar changes to the tax system to achieve greater intergenerational equity in funding services essential to our quality of life such as childcare, education and training, aged care, and health care, as well as ensuring supports such as job-keeper are lifted above the poverty line. More Independents in Parliament will increase the pressure being applied to the Government to bring about these necessary changes.