Is HECS repayment and progressive taxation double-dipping?

I had a thought recently.

Public university used to be free in Australia.  Now it is not.  I came out of uni owing 20k to the government- not a lot compared with many other countries, but still, a fair bit.

Now, I am repaying that money now I have crossed a certain earning threshold.  It is automatically deducted [...]

Ezra Klein and Tax Deductibility

So, y’all who read my blog often know I’m rather fond of Ezra Klein.  Usually, I find most of what he says convincing.  Last night, getting home in the wee smalls after a nice Friday night on the town, I quickly checked his blog before going to sleep.  I’d had a couple of wines- but not [...]

A song for the night

I went to see Death Cab for Cutie with Heidy tonight.  They were really amazing.  They played a heap of older stuff, which was perfect, because I don’t know Narrow Stairs as well as I should.  They played both I Will Follow You Into The Dark and Transatlanticism during the encore, which was achingly beautiful.

But, strangely, [...]

This just in…

The scaffolding on the building across the street is bulging.  They’ve evacuated the building site, but not us.  Check it out:

An Incredible Thing…

This week has been unbelievable.  Actually, this year has been unbelievable.  It’s just been one incredible experience after another.  I’ve eaten great food, read good books, been to amazing concerts, heard fantastic lectures.  I’ve had fun with my friends.  I got into uni, then got a scholarship.  Plus, there’s whole world of blogging, which I just [...]