The Qantas Tax and Productivity

I have read a lot about the Albo Upgrade stuff.

One thing that is oft repeated, bores me to tears. One thing this is not mentioned, disturbs me greatly. The other thing, offends me.

It does not matter that politicians accepting upgrades is “within the rules” when it’s the politicians making the rules.

If our politicians could politically get away with rules to allow insider trading (as is allowed in the US congress) they would do it. If it was politically palatable for the rules to allow politicians to receive brown paper bags of cash, the rules would be written to allow it.

They write rules to pay themselves too much (amongst the highest in the world). The write rules to given themselves chauffeured cars (US politicians don’t get them). Until it was changed in 2004, Commonwealth pollies have the most ludicrous pension schemes recorded. They could tap out at any age and get a generous defined benefit pension for life.

Anyone remember Bill O’Chee who spent 8 years in the Senate, was thrown out in 1998 at age 33 and has been receiving a generous pension ever since and will until his dyeing days.

There is nothing more bi-partisan that the overflowing trough from which politicians of all stripes and flavours gorge on taxpayers money.

The second item, not spoken of, is the macroeconomic cost of the flight upgrades.

Let’s walk it through.