The John Hyde Archives
Historic archive of articles and newspaper columns written by former Australian politician John Hyde OAM.
1982
Fraser's Budget error - not enough Thatcher
- During the 82/83 years, the treasury expects gross product to fall and likewise, real wage earnings should also fall. If not, unemployment will increase.
- Only if a UK type strategy is adopted, which is a long-term strategy of growing real product demand faster than real wage increases.
Retrospective taxation can be fair
- The argument against it is retrospective taxation is the imposition of an unforeseen retribution.
- The party that is liable should have their liability limited to the Crown.
- An individual's liability should be limited only up to the net benefit from the sale of the company.
It's not just avoidance or evasion - just waste
- Tax revenue is almost universally understood as once collected, is wastefully spent.
- Welfare payments are going to those who are neither in financial need or those who have caused their own financial plight.
High price of nappies built into BHP costs
- The Australian Government should not insulate the management of BHP from the wrath of the shareholders for making bad decisions lest they do not learn their lesson.
- There is a need to understand the true relationship between unemployment to the tariff.
Abuses of privilege cost MPs respect
- Is it necessary for an MP to raise the issue in Parliament?
- Is it necessary to identify the guilty party?
- Has the MP done no more than address the wrong done?
Some heavy losses but the battle continues
- Dry politicians reflect the changing view of how an economy should be run.
Labour's stand on sales tax should be queried
- A Tariff tax falls most heavily on necessities of life versus a sales tax which falls most heavily on luxury goods.
Ord River sugar sage leaves a sour taste
- WA consumers subsidise the price of sugar for growers in QLD & NSW.
- The cost of establishing a sugar industry is high and there is no reason why foreign capital be used instead of taxpayer dollars.
Facing up to structural change
- The Australian government cannot do much to prevent the world trade patterns from changing.
- Various interests need to be more balanced in a fair manner.
An evaluation of OECD cures for economic ills
Economics Currencies & Commodities Economics
- General world economic downturn, poor world commodities markets and the drought have caused Australia to suffer a shock worse than Japan's oil shocks.
Simple explanation for the unemployment crisis
- It is vital that those who demand and grant wage increases feel the consequences.
- The failure of the labour market is better understood by the rank and file unionist and his or her family.
Less Haste makes for better bills
- The Parliament passes legislation too quickly.
- Most members understood or even read any bills, which are unnecessarily complex.
- Only in rare circumstances, should innovative legislation be passed in less than four months.
A Christmas Carol
- In 72, Gough Whitlam committed Labour to abolish the means test to receive welfare payments.
- It is more important for Governments to be correct than to be popular.
- Governments using welfare payments to buy votes.
Unknown
- Defensive protectionist policies make things worse.
- Australian trade is much more restrained compared to similar sized economies.
- Nations which have unilaterally reduced their trade barriers have achieved higher rates of economic growth.
Wealth key to Economic Recovery
- Australia's private wealth is our most important advantage.
- Australia has many industries that are among the most efficient in the world due to sound management or natural advantages.
- The role of leadership, be it political, union or business should be help Australians understand the cause of our problems is man-made and can be undone.
About
John Hyde OAM is a former Australian politician. He was elected as the member for the Division of Moore in Western Australia for the Liberal Party.
John Hyde OAM is the author of Dry: In Defence of Economic Freedom.