Who pays

Tuesday, August 2, – “Voter’s needs to weigh heavily” provides a do list that is hard to argue against in terms of making all of our lives better. 

But it’s a list of things that have to be paid for - so while reducing taxes is admirable sentiment, doing so will contribute little to funding the listed “improvements”. 

Taxes, at end of the day pay for our society, and how much to pay is a question of balance by governments at all levels as they decide how to allocate funds- very often backing the wrong horses in terms of value for money and benefiting the general community. 

Political preference often drives the decision, as Cicero said, “Ask who benefits”. 

Plus, many of the listed items are not necessarily driven by government, but by economic circumstances.

Besides taxes I cannot agree that removing level crossings in Melbourne and building tunnels provide no perceptible benefit. It is quite the reverse. 

The economic return from these projects will far out way the costs of the infrastructure. 

You appreciate the savings from these projects after you have spent 30 years of your working life driving South to North across Melbourne and back, through three, sometimes four sets of level crossings. 

Translate the time saving from thousands of trips per day made by workers and transport across Melbourne and direct and indirect savings are enormous. 

As for new underground rail services, consider Melbourne has a population of 5.17 million people, that will increase to 6 million over the next 15 years. 

The Centre of Melbourne will move to the North Melbourne area, what is being done will service that growth.

A weak capital with no economic muscle means a weak State, and that benefits nobody, including rural areas. 

Thus meaning no money to grow the Phillip Island tourist attractions, which seem to receive more attention that other areas of the Bass Coast – Wonthaggi comes to mind.

Rod Gallagher, Inverloch