In February last year I wrote “It is a pity that public and political pressure does not seem sufficient to make some companies pay tax.” I presented a table of the top 10 Australian companies who pay no tax and their annual profits. How can companies whose profits range from 14 billion dollars to 4 billion dollars pay no tax?”
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This year I reflect on how Centrelink sends debt collectors to pursue people, most of whom do not have real debts. Our politicians dare not pursue the exporters of our Natural Gas which we are now giving away! Is this what the mantra of “market forces” is meant to produce, a timid response to large companies?

I wonder if I have Donald Trump to thank for having such a large class this year!  He certainly had members stirred up; together with most of the politicians and diplomats around the world.  Good news for our P.M. is phone bills might be reduced if Trump continues to hang-up mid call.  There is a potential budget saving!
 
Australian politics did get a look in, but we barely covered some of the events that took place during our break.  Politicians travel allowances got a shake-down but we did not get to the mammoth pay packet for the head of Australia Post.  Seemingly the more an organization is run into the ground the bigger the salary, 5 million (plus allowances).
 
After the meeting I read the first of Trump’s team had been forced to resign, off to a good start or was it just the elites undermining him?
 
I’m still pondering what fake news is:  have you read any lately?
 
This fake newsletter report was sent by Terry Case.
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