History of the Liberal Democrats

_{A short history of the Australian Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) from its launch to the name-change, written after I stepped away from active involvement in politics.}

The Liberal Democrats existed in Australia for 22 years — from early 2001 until early 2023. The party still exists, but it is now known as the Libertarian Party. Given the party still exists it’s not possible to write a full party history, but this article attempts to give a summary of the party up until the name-change.

Tax changes our behaviour

_{Published in The Spectator Online on 26 October 2022 under the title “Tax changes our behaviour“.}

Most people resent paying tax. Though it’s a sentiment just about everyone can relate to, the economic argument against tax does not stem from empathy for taxpayers, but rather from our understanding that tax often causes people to change their behaviour. For the worse.

The simple – and simplistic – view of tax is that it’s a transfer from taxpayers to the government, which then funds welfare, the military, corporate subsidies, and public service wages. This perspective boils the debate about tax down to one over the relative merits of letting taxpayers keep their wages versus letting politicians spend more on government programs. The focus is on redistribution.

The most important reform in 20 years

_{Published in The Spectator Online on 19 September 2022 under the title “The most important reform in 20 years“.}

Stage three income tax cuts represent Australia’s most important piece of microeconomic reform in 20 years. From 2024, the marginal tax rate will shrink from 32.5 per cent and 37 per cent down to 30 per cent for most taxpayers, creating a simpler, more efficient tax system that will help boost productivity and promote long-term wage growth.

The Liberals should be applauded for introducing this tax reform and Labor should be applauded for promising to keep it. Unfortunately, there is now a concerted campaign to pressure Labor into backtracking on this promise. This campaign is coming from left-wing media, Greens, and Teals, the union movement, welfare groups, and rogue Liberal [sic] backbencher Russell Broadbent.

Slow chat with Topher Field

Long rambling chat with libertarian activist and podcast host Topher Field, talking about economics, politics, religion, culture, and plenty more.

Covid lockdown chat with Limbrick & Leyonhjelm

Livestream with LibDems Victorian MP David Limbrick and former LibDems Senator David Leyonhjelm on the need to end the Covid lockdowns.