Lets take surgeons and anesthetists as an example. The ATO statistics show that these two groups are number 1 & 2 on the taxable income list at around $340k and $300k respectively. In the top 10, 5 are various medical specialists. dentistS come in an number 10.
A Surgeon or anesthetist will have spent 5 years at uni after working his nuts off at school to get in the top 2% of tertiary entrance. He will spend at least 6-8 years doing postgraduate training working 60-80 hours per week on a fairly low wage and studying to pass arduous exams. When he finishes training he will still have to do emergency work at weekends and during the night. The jobs carry high degree of responsibility. Massive public accountability Now you tell me are these people earning their money? They may not be sweating like a landscaping laborer but hey that laborer had opportunities as well.
It cracks me up. There is so much uneducated envy. Everyone think high earners are the only one blessed with opportunities. That they do $%^& all and they are all avoiding tax, stashing money offshore etc etc.
Gina Rhineart, Clive Palmer et al are not your average high earner. Your bank CEO on 7.5M is a crap example to give.
What about the small business owner who works 80 hour weeks, manages 20 staff, battling with the BAS, workplace bullshit etc. I am sure they will say they are earning their $180K.
As for DaveR using a $10M dollar earners as an example. Well if you can make $10M legally then good luck to you. If he only pays $2M tax he is still paying more than his fair share of tax. If one person pays $2M in tax they are doing their bit to pay for a civilized society. The other 22 million should thank him.
