It’s time to shape the national debate on revenue and tax reform.

Friday, 27th October 2023 | Australian Parliament House, Canberra | 9.00AM – 5.00PM

**Early Bird tickets Closing Soon*

Speakers

Hon Dr Andrew Leigh | Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, and Assistant Minister for Employment
Senator Barbara Pocock AM | Greens Spokesperson for Finance, Employment and Public Sector, Senator for South Australia
Senator David Pocock | Independent Senator for Australian Capital Territory
Dr Monique Ryan MP | Independent Member for Kooyong
Dai Le MP | Independent Member for Fowler
Dr Mike Keating AC | former head of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Professor Patricia Apps | Professor of Public Economics, The University of Sydney
Professor John Quiggin | UQ Laureate Fellow, School of Economics, The University of Queensland
Associate Professor Elise Klein OAM | Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Annie Butler | Federal Secretary, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation
Maiy Azize | National Spokesperson, Everybody’s Home
Dr Mark Zirnsak | Spokesperson, Tax Justice Network Australia
June Riemer | Deputy CEO, First People Disbaility Network
David Sligar | Fellow, Australian Basic Income Lab
Dr Greg Jericho | Chief Economist, The Australia Institute
Dr Richard Denniss | Executive Director, The Australia Institute

Final program to be announced soon

Australia has emerged from the pandemic facing high inflation and escalating interest rates, triggering a cost-of-living crisis. Meanwhile, companies in several key sectors enjoyed windfall gains, driving a profit-price spiral. Within this context, the Government repeatedly affirmed its commitment to fiscal restraint, and delivered a budget surplus in excess of $20 billion.

However, as the pandemic showed, public services and government support are crucial both in times of crisis and in addressing the needs and challenges of a modern society. These challenges are only set to grow. Tackling climate change, addressing the housing affordability crisis, improving childcare and aged care accessibility and quality will all require more government spending. With this bigger role for government comes the need for more revenue.

For many decades now both governments and the media have overwhelmingly focused on spending cuts, efficiency dividends, ‘budgetary emergencies’ and falsely linking the budget balance with economic management. It is time to face up to the reality that as one of the lowest taxed countries in the developed world, Australia lacks the solid revenue base needed to deliver all the programs needed to deliver a fair society.

We need a tax system that fits with the needs and desires of Australians for a fair and equitable society.

This year, the Australia Institute will host its annual Revenue Summit, bringing economists and taxation experts together to discuss revenue raising options to meet Australia’s public spending needs. The Summit is an opportunity to discuss current taxes, explore potential new means of revenue, contextualise debt, challenge paradigms and reassess public spending priorities.

Now that inflation is beginning to cool, debates about the role of revenue and taxation are ramping up. Is a budget surplus really — in Prime Minister Albanese’s words — “responsible economic policy”? Can we now need shift from the mantra of a government “living within its means” given the threat of a slowing economy and the ongoing demand for government services? And what is being ignored when we emphasise the budget bottom line as the litmus test for economic management?

Taxation shapes the society we want to live in. It facilitates the provision of public services and is a key policy lever to reduce inequality. Too often the decision of how and who we tax — or do not tax — is shaped by vested interests rather than asking what is best for most Australians. With the $20bn Stage 3 Tax Cuts set to come into place in July 2024, and windfall profits continuing in several key sectors of the economy, the time has never been more urgent to produce a better and simpler tax system that would result in more revenue, stronger public finances, and a fairer society for all.

Please Note: this is an in-person event and will not be live streamed.

Dietary requirements: Please confirm any dietary requirements for catering on the day.

Event Contact: jacquie@australiainstitute.org.au