What’s the money being spent towards.?

yes thats right but they r using the money for useless things

Yes they are doing

It would be nice if the roads were maintained to an excellent standard.

YES

2 much $$ is spent on hiring useless public servants.

This Labor gov wouldn't have a clue how to save money.

Of course, but once the money goes into the general revenue basket it gets lost in maelstorm and becomes money to use for whatever the current pollie wants to use it for. Just like the money we have provided for aged care went into the bucket so now there is not enough to pay those who fought and paid taxes all their lives a decent income in their twilight years.

Yeah if the tax from tobacco is used for hospitals then it should go towards like lung cancer or some illnesses that caused from the tobacco.

Yes and No If the tax from tobacco goes to hospitals, should that be used to treat tobacco related illnesses only? So people never smoked would never be treated? If tax is primarily collected and redistributed to related causes only. How do we fund schools and universities? How are prisons funded? It would be unrealistic to expect prisoners to pay the guards? Governments do have plenty of rooms to improve on how to redistribute the resources, plus more direct tax strategy on corporations and less corruption/ being cosy with private companies.Edited 28-Jan-25 21:47pm

Yes, the government doesn't spend money on the right things

Yes definitely! The aussie government does not use the taxes we pay wisely and have been wasting them on useless things. After travelling to many different countries last year, I noticed how behind and outdated we are in almost everything.

Our problem is wasteful spending not revenue

I agree the NDIS system has been rorted and sadly people who really need the help are missing out due to unscrupulous providers. A lot of money would be saved if they cut out childcare except for very low income users and the last handout for electricity was ridiculous when even millionairres received it.

Unfortunately, governments are not good at spending our prodetly taxes

stamp duty should be halved

The taxes collected should be used for the things the tax was intended for, but unfortunately there are so many government programmes that don't collect a tax such as the NDIS, Aged pensions, Medicare and childcare rebates which need to be paid for somehow. Perhaps we should insist that before any government introduces a new service they should also find some way to pay for it other than robbing Peter to pay Paul. The NDIS is the biggest rort of them all as no-one is answerable for what is spent and who is eligible. I know for a fact that some people are being put on the NDIS instead of other pensions which would cost less. Every time I hear of someone else ripping the system off I could scream. Aged care and seniors services are means tested but for some very odd reason the NDIS and child care rebates aren't meaning you can be a multi millionaire and still qualify for the NDIS and get a child care rebate. How fair is that?

Really do think they should be using these taxes the proper way to fix our roads and hospitals, rather than going into the governments slush fund

Better they use it for what you suggest, rather than on paying themselves over-inflated wages and pensions …

A man used say they used cigarettes tax on hospital. The government always look for they self to became more rich and how to take from others like us poor classic. A tax on a tax in Australia. But one things they can't tax on happening.

Sugar Tax coming soon too I hear

There is to many of them.

There is a wide variety of public services not all of which you can see. I am unqualified to say what services they allocate the percentage of resources to and I suspect most people are also

stop selling cigarettes

Depends on the various Federal, State and Territory Governments here in Australia. Invariably monies go into consolidated revenue.

They don't care where your money goes so long as they can balance the books

Once they've got your money, forget about where it goes, impossible to followit.

I would have to see a complete breakdown of where everything goes to even attempt a valid comment about this. Seems over simplified.

not sure.

They would if they did not pay them selves as much as they do.

They could try to use more brain cells when they solve this program

Yes but government will tell you want you want to hear, knowing that they are lying just as sure as they are breathing.

Joy, we are taxed to the bones, saying that we must understand we are being taxed by different types of government, councils (responsible for local roads, garbage collection services etc, then we have the state(responsible for main roads, hospitals, licencing, registration, etc) and lastly we have the federal government (in charge of running the country as whole) I don't trust any of them. The hefty taxes are there to pay for their obscene salaries and corrupted behaviour.Edited 28-Jan-25 14:11pm

They have no interest in solving issues they can profit from by continuing them; look at raising money for cancer - trillions of dollars for decades and no solution?

Seems reasonable.

A hug tax on beer, etc, if the halved the tax on everything they do, we'd all be far better off, we'd buy more and they'd still make the same money

So many people want So much from their Government, and they all seem to forget that what ever they want has to be paid, nothing in life is free

Yes!

Workers pay tax, if there is high unemployment there is a low tax take, there never seems to be enough to go around

Become the next Treasurer to which ever party you follow. Change and make it a fairer and more equitable for all tax payers.

Well they do use these taxes for those things but it's not enough to fund them. But if the corporations that could AND should be paying MORE tax were, yes, we would have the best of everything. But go speak to Gerry Harvey, Gina Reinhart, Rupert Murdoch etc etc on why they pay so little in tax compared to others. Might have something to do with the 'donations' they make to a certain major political parties...

Of course they should BUT there is a Big Problem here in Australia. The politicians are so Greedy to hold onto, or get, Power they will squander it all on Populist Policies which often only benefit a small number of people or some sector of the population so that should they not satisfy the demands of these Minority group, they don't get accused of Racism, Gender Bias, nor must we forget that so far as the federal Government is concerned, as with the Australian Broadcasting Commission, Australia begins and ends at the borders of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria with the Northern Territory and South Australia.. There are not enough Votes in it for any of them when it comes to Australia's Health System or our roads, unless, of course, as of now there is a Federal Election on the cards and the current PM and Opposition Leader, from Queensland, want to buy votes in that State with covering Half the cost ($AU3.6billion) of the upgrade of the bruce Highway which the Qld Government down the decades could have done themselves.

Nobody minds paying tax for the right reasons - it's the enormous amounts that politicians / governments find to waste on unnecessary crap.

Taxes pay for services that all Australians use. The tax on tobacco is added as a deterrent . I'd hate the job of distributing the funds as someone is not going to be happy.

Up to them I suppose They will never get rid of it as Governments love Tax

SA has the highest taxes in Aust on some products. Some we pay commonwealth taxes + state. A few years ago several companies moved from SA to Vic, paid high expenses for employees and still saved money the first year

They say they do BUT don't.

They never have money for true blue Australians but can find unlimited money to give to people who sneak in the back door and claim asylum. They have never worked,paid tax and laugh all the way to the bank. Multiple wives,kids and flash cars and rent assistance and other perks we the citizens can’t get. Today in paper the government are allowing “illegal” boat people to stay so more money getting spent on free loaders. Might marry into one of these families so I can cash in on the rort as well,

Amen. The $55,000 banquet on plane to Doha for a climate conference that could have been done on zoom, since everyone knew in advance nothing would be agreed to, could have been saved

With the growth of population definitely spend it on hospital, purchasing more ambulance cars and hiring more staff as there's not enough beds to accommodate everyone in hospital. Ambulance staff are waiting longer in the hall way for hours to have beds/room for the patients. Instead of being on the road picking up more patients.

I say yes

Here here I 100% agree but unfortunately they spend the money on what ever they want. Their roads are spectacular and ours are mere goat tracks. Their hospital is far superior than ours, we don't even have an MRI machine. Best they can do is a CT scan. Better than nothing I guess as there are other countries far worse. The government needs the money to pay for civil servants and there are plenty of those on $80'000+ a year and entitlements. Half your luck if you can land one of those jobs.

As a famous ruler once said: 'there are 2 things guaranteed in life. Death and taxes'.

HI , otten m, tyvm...

Most definitely tax should go towards roads, rehab programs and hospitals

Last time I checked all taxes are paid by individuals or businesses therefore it’s our money they are spending as in a household budget there are certain necessities that take precedence over others and yes our health system is a priority and should be maintained to the highest standard as should our transport infrastructure along with our education system …. We also need to have funds available to help with natural disasters in this country ….

well, that's what governments are supposed to do!! But these nimrods steal, do fraud, pay for projects that are useless, not fit for purpose! Be proactive and vote them buzzards out!!!

What country are you in? In New Zealand cigarettes are so expensive, I am glad I gave up a few years back because a 50 gram pack of tobacco is now $140+. They should use the taxes for that purpose but I doubt that they do.

the lotteries were originally to raise money for hospitals, why is it not now? what you are saying for roads & cigarettes for health if that is what the tax this is what it should be used for.Not usual referendums & so much used for elections, I believe if a law was brought in that every candidate can only use a certain amount of money & all must use the same amount it would make it a much level field.

Yes absolutely.

Maybe the govt needs to do that.

The public always foots the bill for the elite class lifestyle becasue the elites have rigged the game

Sadly the government collect a lot from taxes that we don’t see being directed into areas that have huge needs. But yes I think those taxes should be used in those Spaces

Maybe

The whole point of the tax on cigarettes was because of the cost of the health care system with smokers , yet the healthcare system hasn't improved for all the tax,

The money the government gets from our taxes, ergo the money belongs to us the taxpayer. The government is who we voted for to spend our money on things we need. However, successive governmnets have chosen to spend our money on things that don't always help us. Our Armed Forces, Police Services and our Health Services should come first when they are budgeting. Not sure that they do.

Taxes what are they. They are in the Slavery to the banks scheme. The Government is in Debt, Like I mentioned yesterday (or showed a link to show it) All debt has interest on it. Most Taxes are needed so the bank pays enough interest on it Debt. Even if the Labour Party is bragging about making Surpluses 2 years in a row it looked yesterday like their debt has increased another 200 billion or so so they just spent all the surplus anyway and increased their debt to the RBA. the Bulk of all taxes is Slavery to the bank. but even if it could be spent on other things we still can't eat money so it might not be able to make things better for very long anyway?

One, overwhelming the majority of our taxes actually go to national defense (armed forces). Two, too public safety (police department, fire department, and urban trash pickup department). Three, to politicians (public corruption). Four, administration cost of running a government (federal, state, local) program. Last, NOT a lot of tax money is left over for roads and hospitals.Edited 28-Jan-25 17:48pm

Greedy governments! Double, even triple dipping!!

got to get the cash for their exuberant wages from somewhere don't you think?

Raise taxes so high on cigarettes and vapers so most people can't afford to smoke.

WELL, no matter what country if we didnt vote is or support morons who are only there to line their own pockets... I think maybe the train has left the station and we will suffer for our lack of interest in who and what is voted in. Your thought was actual fact 50 years ago, but we have advance so much we are living in a lunatic assylum.

I think the taxes on cigarettes should be high,they are bad for health and the environment. Thankfully I gave up smoking many years ago. As for our roads I thought would be paid through our rates.

In New Zealand the petrol tax and diesel 'road user charges' are meant to be used for transport (new roads, maintenance, traffic lights, cycle lanes, bus lanes, etc.), but there's no real way to prove it does. For a while Auckland city had is own extra petrol tax on top of that, which was again meant to be used for transport. Plus, on top of both of those was the 15% GST sales tax taken by the government (so a tax on a tax!), mostly squandered on their own silly ideas, pet projects, and pay rises. If you sat down and worked it out, you'd probably find that 99% of your income eventually goes to the government in some form of tax - whether that's paid directly by you or by the businesses you purchase goods and service from.

Well I will tell you this. If the non-cigarette smokers would realize how negatively alcohol is contributing to the pressures on the healthcare system they should be whining and demanding exorbitant tax increases on booze, wine and beer as well and using that money to better fund the healthcare system. While you are at it, anyone with children in puplicly funded schools should be given a hefty tax increase as well to improve our education system. Point is...it just doesn't work that way. I have paid high taxes to fund Canada for 50 plus years so I think I should be income tax exempt now!Edited 28-Jan-25 07:51am

Yes need something good to come out of it.

Gas tax does go to fix the roads, but I think the money gets diverted to other special interest projects, I think all taxes need to be cut.

Yes they should be using it to benefit those who survive as in a way they are contributing to killing those addicted to cigarettes as they are putting much pressure and stress on them by upping the prices ... they can't get it through their high and might thick skulls that, that kind of treatment does not cure them of the habit!!! As for fuel why is the lucky country unabel to afford a few extra "shovells" to dig it up for ourselves and provide a lower price for Australians!!!!!

if that is what their intentions were then yes for sure, if they use it for other things other than what they said they would then that is corruption and dishonest

yes

Many cannot afford the basics in this country. The taxes continue to rise - we are taxed on earnings, petrol GST on purchases and services, road taxes, annual rates on our houses and the list goes on. Government use the funds as they see fit - but it really is the tax payers money - totally out of whack.

HI whysper,i have been getting alot of grumpy people responding to me "SO" I THANKYOU,HAVE A NICE TIME..

Politicians,regardless of how long they have been in office,in the senate or even back benches once retired from that specific job will get a pension for life. A large chunk of our taxes paid annually,besides all the other perks they enjoyed whilst working as our government officials. This is where our money goes. That's why are taxes seem to go nowhere regardless of how much they increase.

They are never used for the purpose we are told they are needed for. It would be nice if they were.during John Howard's run for office we were told we would be rid of 8 " hidden" taxes to be replaced with GST. Also that he could reduce the petrol excise. After he was elected he quickly backpedalling saying he was unable to do this. Politicians,why do we even bother listening to election promises.

Just TRIPLE the tax on cigarettes.

Although taxes are unpopular, they are necessary. I think they should be higher on undesirable activities than necessities. Everyone needs fuel, but I guess the tax is fair in that each pays for what they use. As for cigarettes, hopefully the amount of tax charged can be an incentive to quit them, while at the same time the high amount of taxes collected and used for helpful programs for society will show that the programs that they support should be instituted permanently with other funding.

The Carr government put a 3 cent tax on fuel for 3 years. We are still waiting for when the 3 years are up. This was to fix the roads. Ha ha ha !!!!!

The amount they raise from cigarette taxes covers 7 fold at least (I have read this numerous times in articles regarding this) the cost of health care so the question is what are they spending it on as well as health care? The fuel tax does go on roads but where else does it go? Fuel is triple double dipped at least with state and federal taxes plus gst (and I would not be surprised if there are other taxes that were "promised" to be removed that are still charged to petrol purchases just like many things still are as GST DID NOT replace all previous taxes and levies as promised by that snake John Howard and his cronies). I never believed them but it is still annoying that certain taxes were NOT cancelled when GST came in and GST is just added on top of everything else.

Yes taxes not used for America but for foreign country's and not US

I dont know what they use the money for but dont they use this money for these

Aren't they already doing that?

My worldly response would be, "Yes!", but my Spiritual answer is, "No, because soon it won't matter because all these things will be done away with!". We won't need fuel for cars, cigarettes, roads or hospitals! Please read Psalm chapter 37, Isaiah 65:17-25 and Revelation chapter 20 in any Bible! ;-D

🐸

I agree. where ever possible the money raised should be used for the type of thing it was raised from. As you say tobacco for health, fuel for roads etc. But not sure if there's enough from other things to cover all other things. As there are other forms of tax on vehicles, Road user charges, registration etc, where should these be used?

Roads for sure

Joy, not sure where you live, but they already use the money for these things.

Don't forget about the administrator's pocket, oh yes, they have big appetite

Yes

My partner lives in the Philippines I will never understand and she doesn't either why we have such huge tax some of the taxes should be used to pay off how much they're in deficit with

We need all to pay the correct amount of TAX, so we all live a good life