seven million aussies get a tax cut today

The raising of the tax free threshold from $6,000 to $18,000 will result in an income tax cut for seven million taxpayers from today as part of the carbon tax package.

Additionally a couple of million low income earners, mostly self-funded retirees and part time workers will no longer pay any income tax and will not have to lodge a tax return in the future. That would be a relief to many elderly people.

Pensioners and beneficiaries who currently pay no tax have received increases to cover the expected price rises, and those of us using solar power are laughing.

It appears that only the wealthy who consume a lot of dirty energy and produce most of the pollution will be out of pocket. I guess thats why some people are calling the CT a wealth redistribution tax.

The mining tax also starts today but that seems to be being overlooked as all political attention focuses on the carbon tax. The mining tax seems to have had zero effect on miners many of whom are busy expanding.

Dave R.