Thread by @NordicPolicyCtr

Tax is front & centre in #AusVotes19, but what can we learn from other countries on this crucial topic? @TheAusInstitute's Nordic Policy Centre has taken a look at 'skatt', the Swedish word for tax which has another meaning: 'treasure'
Get the report here nordicpolicycentre.org.au/skatt_treasure…

Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway are among the world's most highly ranked countries in terms of prosperity and innovation, consistently ranking well above Australia. They are also among the most equal in terms of income distribution – much more equal than Australia.

Australia is a low tax country, sitting in the bottom 6 of 33 OECD nations in terms of tax and other revenue, whereas the Nordic nations fill 4 of the top 6 positions. The experience of Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway shows that revenue is integral to provision of services.

Our report found that the high standard of education, health, public transport, quality infrastructure and other services in those countries deliver considerable benefits to the people who live there – and help to reduce inequalities.
nordicpolicycentre.org.au/skatt_treasure…

“The repeated claims by Government that Australian taxpayers are paying higher overall rates of tax in the global context is false and misleading,” said Deakin University Professor Andrew Scott, author of the report.
#auspol #ausvotes

“Tax is the price we pay to live in a civilised society, but in contemporary Australia we rarely ask how much civilisation we would like to buy, and what are the best new ways we could fund it,” said Ben Oquist, Executive Director of The Australia Institute.
#auspol #ausvotes