Australian about-face hands Ottawa ammunition against ‘tax on everything’

[Locutus]

Fans of a carbon tax, aka “a tax on everything” suffered of a setback this week when Australia’s Labor government revoked a carbon tax introduced just two years by … itself.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, though advertised as a staunch defender of the environment, cancelled the tax despite the rich flood of revenue it had produced. Why? Because — as the NDP might put it — of concern for “everyday hard-working Australians.”

“The government has decided to terminate the carbon tax to help cost of living pressures for families and to reduce costs for small business,” Rudd declared.

“The nation’s 370 biggest polluters will continue to pay for their carbon pollution but the cost will be reduced, meaning less pressure on consumers.”


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Australian about-face hands Ottawa ammunition against ‘tax on everything’ | National Post

 

[Ron in Regina]

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, though advertised as a staunch defender of the environment, cancelled the tax despite the rich flood of revenue it had produced. Why? Because — as the NDP might put it — of concern for “everyday hard-working Australians.”

Australia’s former prime minister will resign early as US ambassador after a video emerged of him calling President Trump a “village idiot”.

Kevin Rudd, who twice served as Australia’s Labor prime minister, clashed with the president during a White House meeting in October, when Trump told him: “I don’t like you either and I probably never will.”

During the meeting, also attended by Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, a journalist reminded the president that Rudd had in the past posted comments critical of him, including that he was “a traitor to the West”.

Australia’s US ambassador resigns after calling Trump ‘village idiot’ — The Times and The Sunday Times

Australia’s former prime minister will resign early as US ambassador after a video emerged of him calling President Trump a “village idiot”. Kevin Rudd, who twice served as Australia’s Labor prime minister, clashed with the president during a White House meeting in October, when Trump told him...

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As the press pack standing behind Rudd howled with laughter, the journalist pointed the president in the direction of Rudd. “Did you say something bad?” Trump asked.

“Before I took this position, Mr President,” Rudd replied.

Trump said: “I don’t like you either and probably never will.”

While the pair were reported to have made up after the meeting and the Australian government dismissed the clash as being in good humour, Albanese announced Rudd’s early departure on Tuesday. Rudd, a China expert, will return to his previous job, heading the New York-based Asia Society.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

In walks the village idiot
His face is all aglow
He's been up all night listening to Mohammad's Radio

--Warren Zevon