Lots of talk about tax reform at the moment. I want tax reform as much as the next tax-nuffy. I couldn't tell you which of the suggested changes is better (flat 30% tax, increasing the tax-free threshold, indexed tax brakets, dropping the 42% and 47% tax brakets).

The main reason for the call for tax reform is the large surplus [The Age] expected in this year's budget.

A few things I'd like explained:

• What is with this assumption from the government that because the Aussie economy is good now, it will be in the future (also see recent I.R. changes)
• Aren't there going to be a huge number of retirements soonish? And arn't there less children joining the workforce? Doesn't that mean less tax income for the government?
• Don't we still need a bunch of important things like medical, education, public services funding? Wouldn't this "surplus" be better placed there then giving us all a bit of free money?
• Wouldn't handing everyone a ton of free money just increase inflation and wipe it all out in a few years anyway?

As I said, I'm a nuffy. Explain it to me.

And while I'm talking politics (rare) may I also say that if the Federal gov passes the buck of anything to the state gov again I'll scream. If something is broken in the state gov, get on their arse to fix it. I don't care if they're another political party. It shouldn't matter. The same goes the other way.

Isn't xmas grand?

* Hudsons
** Coopers Red