KING OF THE KILLJOYS

Hang on a flash. Don’t spend your $900 Rudd bonus just yet. You might not get it .Officially more than ten million Australians earning between 15,000 and 80,000 dollars year are due to collect the cash as part of the Federal Government’s $42 billion latest economic stimulus package.

The Government plans, next month, to pay $900 to people whose taxable income is up to $80,000, $600 to those whose income is between $80,000 and $90,000, and $250 to those with an income between $90,000 and $100,000.

And there have been headlines about dead people being eligible, and people in prison and even a few animal left money in people’s wills. But nobody had counted on Bryan Pape. King of the killjoys.

The University of New England law lecturer and former National party officer has asked the High Court to declare the bonuses illegal and unconstitutional. And the High Court has agreed to give him a hearing.

The case is set down to be heard for two days from March 30 and the Australian Taxation Office has told the Court that if it is to stop printing cheques it needs to be told by the close of business on April 2nd.

Mr. Pape says he’s not playing Scrooge here. Not being a party pooper. He’s all about state rights. That the $900 bonus is a gift not covered by tax laws under the constitution.

And that undermines state law. Personally I shouldn’t give a toss about it. I believe anything that undermines state laws is good. I’d abolish the states and get rid of that layer of unnecessary middle pond government in an over-governed country of only 21 million. And I don’t qualify for the bonus.

But millions of people have been promised the $900 bonus and I know people who have already spent it.

Mr Pape, who worked as a barrister for 20 years before joining the University of New England will argue the case in the High Court himself.

Four years ago he wrote: ‘By its use of the appropriation and grants powers the [Commonwealth] Parliament has expanded its authority in its quest to gain absolute power over the states.’

He’s agin that and your $900 bonus –thank your mother for the rabbits – has been caught in the crossfire.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

© Copyright Derryn Hinch 2009