Sunday, April 27, 2008
TAX TAX TAX
Having already boosted taxes on girly drinks, Ruddite puritans are now urged to attack cigarettes:
The Rudd Government’s chief adviser on preventive health has called for an increase to the excise on tobacco of 2.5 cents a cigarette, which could raise $400 million a year on top of the $500 million to be raised from the increased excise on “alcopops”.
Getting with the pleasure-tax program, a Sydney council is pondering a plastic tax:
Sporting groups may be slapped with a “tape tax” to curb increasing amounts of sticky strapping left on fields after weekend matches.
Warringah Council is considering introducing a cleaning fee after residents’ complaints about litter, which also included cans, bottles, ring pulls and chip packets.
Electrical tape, used to tie down laces on football boots and to hold up socks, was the worst offender.
Older players - Toaf may be among them - also use tape to protect against injury and brace aging joints. Taped-up players who enjoy a post-game drink and cigarette might need to take out a second mortgage.