TBF4550

Tax policy and constitutional issues

Mr Vince Morabito

6 points
* 3 hours per week
* Caulfield

Objectives Upon completion of this subject students will have examined the Australian Constitution and relevant case law, the leading references on taxation policy and current tax reform proposals.

Synopsis This subject examines the constraints imposed upon tax policy makers by the terms of the Australian Constitution by reference to the Constitution itself and a detailed examination of relevant case law. Secondly the subject examines the theoretical objectives of taxation policy and the manner in which those objectives have been implemented in the Australian taxation system by reference to concepts such as the tax base, the tax unit, equity, efficiency and simplicity including a critical appraisal of current tax reform proposals.

Assessment Either assignment (2000words): 20%
* Examination (open-book, 3 hours): 80%
* or examination (open-book, 3 hours): 100%

Prescribed texts

Groenewegen P Public finance in Australia: Theory and practice 3rd edn, Prentice-Hall, 1990
Hanks P Australian constitutional law: Materials and commentary 5th edn, Butterworths, 1994
Head J G Australian tax reform in retrospect and prospect Australian Tax Research Foundation, 1989
Howard C Australian federal constitutional law 3rd edn, Law Book, 1985
Lane P H A manual of Australian constitutional law 5th edn, Law Book, 1991
Musgrave R A and P B Public finance in theory and practice 5th edn, McGraw-Hill, 1989