As Deputy Secretary of the Queensland branch of the Economic Society of Australia, it’s incumbent upon me to promote an upcoming Society event in Brisbane on Wednesday 20 August, at which leading US supply-side economist Dan Mitchell of the Cato Institute will speak on tax avoidance and tax competition.
Dan is apparently an advocate of a flat tax, which would be a good topic to speak on in Queensland, given we once had a Premier who proposed a flat tax as part of his pitch to become PM. While a flat tax would certainly reduce the efficiency loss associated with income tax, it would be less equitable than our current progressive income tax, and hence may be politically unpalatable.
Regardless of your views on the merits of supply-side economics, it’s sure to be an interesting event and I expect much discussion and debate after Dan’s address. You can find further information at the ESA website: