[ingliz]

National Insurance - rates and allowances; $ per week 2009-10

Lower earnings limit, primary Class 1

$95

Upper earnings limit, primary Class 1

$844

Upper accruals point

$770

Primary threshold

$110

Secondary threshold

$110

Employees’ primary Class 1 rate between primary threshold and upper earnings limit

11%

Employees’ primary Class 1 rate above upper earnings limit

1%

Employees’ contracted-out rebate

1.6%

Married women’s reduced rate between primary threshold and upper earnings limit

4.85%

Married women’s rate above upper earnings limit

1%




Employers’ secondary Class 1 rate above secondary threshold

12.8%

Employers’ contracted-out rebate, salary-related schemes

3.7%

Employers’ contracted-out rebate, money-purchase schemes

1.4%

Class 2 rate

$2.40

Class 2 small earnings exception

$5,075 per year

Special Class 2 rate for share fishermen

$3.05

Special Class 2 rate for volunteer development workers

$4.75

Class 3 rate

$12.05

Class 4 lower profits limit

$5, 715 per year

Class 4 upper profits limit

$43, 875 per year

Class 4 rate between lower profits limit and upper profits limit


8%

Class 4 rate above upper profits limit

1%

[Dr House]

I can agree with the PRT increase, but not the abolishment of the E&A credit.

I would prefer outright buying out (or hell, confiscating even) the oil industry at any rate. Too high a tax will just discourage production.

[HoniSoit]

I'm looking forward to the time when we don't get bogged down by endless debate on details.

[Dr House]

Me and my party's main goal is development of our nascent industral sector, so how government policies affect industry very much concern me.

[ingliz]

but not the abolishment of the E&A credit.

Seeing as PRT is only charged on profitable operations this is purely a technical change. PRT relief on E&A would be not be allowed but PRT can, actually, only be charged on a successful find once the field comes onstream. This particular measure is more of a "look after the pennies" move as the revenue expected from it is not that much.

"Any losses...can be carried forwards or backwards within the field indefinitely."

[Andres]

The week alloted to the SN-RF to introduce the first bill as a confidence bill is almost up. The SN-RF has about 7 hours to present their bill or the PNL and THP have the right to present their own confidence measure.

[ingliz]

Getting picky - Technically we have until Thursday morning, as that was when the seats were assigned, but I think we are just about ready to go.

It is, of course, Honi's decision as Party Leader as to exactly when this package of bills is introduced

[HoniSoit]

The week alloted to the SN-RF to introduce the first bill as a confidence bill is almost up.

We asked for an extension because of the delay resulting from introducing economic date into the game by House and thus our subsequent budgeting.

In any case, we will try to finalise the bill and put it to the confidence vote very soon.

[Dr House]

The state of the government's finances can be seen here. As you can see they are a disaster.

[ingliz]

Is the abolishing of PRT relief on E&A a deal breaker? Because as PRT is a tax on profits not investment, "any losses...can be carried forwards or backwards within the field indefinitely", I don't see why it should be.

The 'small' amount of extra revenue raised would come in very useful renovating schools instead of going into the back pockets of the multinational oil companies.

[Dr House]

I can allow it, so long as the other proposed amendments to the bill are put in place.

[ingliz]

So you want a tax deductable allowance for those taking out private health insurance and free tertiary education, I assume you mean government funding of tuition fees, to be restricted to the scientific and technical disciplines.

If those were put in place you would support the package?

ps. Do you want the universities to decide what is scientific or would you prefer a government quango to judge?

[Dr House]

I would. I can't speak for my party, but I'm pretty sure they will too. We don't strongly oppose universal healthcare.

Do you want the universities to decide what is scientific or would you prefer a government quango to judge?

I'd have to get back to you on that one, but probably the government. It's not hard to determine what's scientific, but universities would probably have an incentive to stretch the definition to get more funding.

[ingliz]

I'd have to get back to you on that one, but probably the government.

I think it is safer to let the academics define "scientific" but we will concede the point.

Honi's going to tidy the formatting but this is the package:

The people of PoFo, exercising their powers of creation and, in following the historic
examples set out by those perched on the precipice of history, and the heroism and sacrifice
of our ancestors, and the forerunners and founders of a free and sovereign nation; to the
supreme end of reshaping the Republic to establish a democratic, participatory, and self-
reliant, multiethnic and multicultural society in a just, federal and decentralized State
that embodies the values of freedom, independence, peace, solidarity, the common good, the
nation's territorial integrity, community and the rule of law for this and future
generations; guarantees the right to life, work, learning, education, social justice and
equality, without discrimination or subordination of any kind; promotes peaceful cooperation
among nations and furthers and strengthens the integration of PoFo with the world at large in
accordance with the principle of nonintervention and national self-determination of the
people, the universal and indivisible guarantee of human rights, the democratization of
imitational society, nuclear disarmament, ecological balance and environmental resources as
the common and inalienable heritage of humanity; exercising their innate power through their
representatives comprising the National Parliament, by their freely cast vote and in a
democratic Referendum, hereby ordain the following:

Omnibus Human Relief and Welfare Act.

We, the SN-RF, believe that - at a minimum - every citizen is entitled to the fullest
opportunity his life can bring him or her. We feel that as a result of this no citizen should
fail to prosper as a result of the knowledge gained for all people, to be utilized to better
all people. Therefore essential services like healthcare, education and (e.g.) employment
should not be withheld by a state with ample revenue to ensure these services.
These services are so vitally important for the people's self-realization, that their
provision cannot simply be left to chance. As such, the state, in democratic partnership with
local communities and various organisations must erect a framework for the universal
provision of these social goods. This means that all citizens are entitled to the most
advanced healthcare the nation can provide its citizens, the highest level of education that
an individual can attain, and employment through either public or private organizations.
These essential services are rendered at national cost through the processes we have outlined
below.

Article 1: Principle of National Healthcare Act

1. Principle
i. Bill to promote the health and well-being of the individual by the creation of a uniform
standard health care plan, paid and administered through taxation of a single payer nature.

A. Funding
In accordance with the principles in S.1 it is the duty of government to promote the
principles in S.1 the government will:
1) Ensure that all citizens receive healthcare as a result of this provision.
2) Encourage development of advanced medical practices by subsidizing research and
development of those sciences like biology, human genome, and any other field directly
related to medical research.
3) Citizens retain the option to receive healthcare on their own terms through private
sources or other foreign sources, but other than the "allowance" (see 5) remain subject to the same taxation as any other
citizen not seeking private care.
4) Ensure that those injured or disabled by disease or injury retain the rights to their
employment and retain a pension during this time of disablity equaling three quarters of
their normal rate of pay.
5) A tax deductable allowance capped at 5% of salary will be allowed for citizens taking out private healthcare insurance.
NB. State National Insurance contributions, the "stamp", will still have to be paid in full

B. Notes
The Bill will be hereby referred to simply as the Healthcare Act.
The Federal Health and Human Welfare Committee abbr. FHHW and will administered by the
Minister of Health.

Article 2: The Education Act: Freedom, Equality and Prosperity

1. Principles
A Bill To promote (1) the development of the individual's potential, (2) the creation of an informed citizenry indespensible for the optimal functioning of a democracy and (3) the production of capital necessary for economic prosperity

2. Funding
In accordance with the principles in S.1 and the duty of government to promote the principles in S.1 the government will:
a) set up a Federal Education Commitee (hereby FEC) to administer the general provisions of S.2
b)
i. ensure the free education of all citizens, from kindergarten to first-level tertiary education. Postgraduate studies and professional studies will be funded at the university’s discretion and by the university. The number of students enrolled in any given tertiary program will still remain to the discretion of the universities in accordance with their facilities and capacities. The consequence is to make admissions more competitive but open to all. Discrimination, however, based on irrelevant criteria for admission will not be tolerated and contravenes the principles in S.1.
ii. Government funding of tuition fees to be restricted to scientific and technical disciplines to be decided by the government.
c) encourage development in the theoretical sciences by:
i. actively funding research in related fields
ii. Assisting PhDs in finding employment in related fields
d) protect against the flight of intellectual capital
e) administer a broad Loans and Bursaries Program to help offset living expenses among postgraduate students
f) provide physical investment in secondary education

Sections 2; c,d,e and f are subject to future public spending decisions

3. Federal Education Committee
In accordance with 2.a., the FEC will be chaired by the Minister of 'Education' and assisted by the Minister of 'Science and Technology', and 'Culture and the Arts' whose responsibilities include:
a) the general oversight of spending
b) accountability of government for the decisions of the FEC

4. Secondary Schools and Infrastructure
In accordance with the objectives set by 2.e., the FEC will be tasked with administering a 15-year term investment in the physical infrastructure of secondary schools. The government will provide (but not limit itself to) $2bn annually to the FEC to go toward:
a) modernizing educational facilities
b) revitalization projects, targeting deteriorated and/or deteriorating educational facilities
c) funding and promoting extracurricular programs

All of Section 4 is subject to future public spending decisions

5. Notes
The Bill will be hereby referred to simply as The Education Act
The Federal Education Comitte abbr. FEC, will be overseen by the Ministry of Education.

Union Recognition and Certification Act, 2009

The Ministry of Labour and Industry promotes a stable and constructive labour relations climate and fosters productive workplace relationships.

Human rights provisions, fair employment practices, equal pay and anti-discrimination laws are all embodied in this labour legislation.

Discrimination by race, religion, colour, creed, sex, age or other factors is prohibited. All jurisdictions are to require employers to pay men and women equally for the same work.

Section 1 - Right to Belong to a Union

"an individual unorganized worker is commonly helpless to exercise actual liberty,"

(a) employees are permitted to join unions for the purpose of bargaining collectively with their employers on issues concerning wage rates, fringe benefits and other working conditions.

(b) Labour codes in all jurisdictions guarantee the right to representation by a trade union following a certification process outlined in legislation.

Section 2 - Union Certification

(a) The Union submits an Application for Certification to the PoFo Labour Board. If, as at the date of application, 40% or more of employees support the Union, the Board shall order a vote. If 65% or more sign a union card the Board will automatically certify the bargaining unit.

If a vote is ordered and If more than 50% of the votes are in favour of having a union, The Board will certify the Union.


(b) Employers' Rights - It is an unfair labour practice for Employers to attempt to interfere with the formation or selection of a Union. However, Employers or managers are permitted to communicate statements of fact or opinions reasonably held with respect to the Employers business. On the day of the vote, neither the Union nor the Employer may, at the workplace or polling place distribute printed material or engage in electioneering for the purposes of influencing the vote.

(c) Once certified a Union becomes the exclusive bargaining agent for all of the employees in the bargaining unit whether they are members of the Union or not. The Employer cannot settle wages and working conditions directly with the employees. The employer is required to negotiate only with the Union which has been certified and no other one. After certification a Union can, by notice, compel an Employer to meet and bargain a collective agreement.

(d) Derecogition

Mirror image of recognition

(f) In the interests of stability an agreement lasts a minimum of 12 months unless the union can be shown to have used unfair labour practices

(g) Unfair labour practices:

Coerce people to become union members;

Use threats, intimidation, or violence;

Force an employer to punish a worker because he/she doesn't get along with the union;

Charge excessive union dues;

Refuse to bargain in good faith with the employer.


(h) Firms who employ fewer than 21 employees (taking into account employees in associated companies) are excluded from the legislation

(k) Employees have a right not to join the union.


Changes in the Rate of Petroleum Revenue Tax, 2009

Petroleum Revenue Tax

Petroleum Revenue Tax (PRT) is administered by Pofo Revenue & Customs Large Business Service- Oil & Gas Sector (LBSOG) –formerly Oil Taxation Office or 'the OTO'. This is a tax which seeks to tax a high proportion of the economic rent (super-profits) from the exploitation of the PoFo's oil and gas. PRT is a field-based tax: in general, the costs of developing and running a field can only be set against the profits generated by that field. Any losses, eg arising from unused expenditure relief, can be carried forwards or backwards within the field indefinitely. There is also a range of reliefs, including:

•oil allowance - a PRT-free slice of production
•supplement - a proxy for interest and other financing costs
•Tariff Receipts Allowance (TRA) - participators owning assets, for example pipelines, relating to one field will sometimes allow participators from other fields to share the use of the asset in return for the payment of tariffs, and TRA relieves some of the tariffs received from PRT
•exemption from PRT for gas sold to PoFo Gas under a pre July 1975 contract
•cross-field relief for research expenditure
PRT is currently charged at 50 per cent on profits after these allowances. For a limited period safeguard relief then applies to ensure that PRT does not reduce the annual return in the early years of production of a field to below 15 per cent of the historic capital expenditure on the field.

As part of a package of PRT reforms the rate of PRT is increased from 50 per cent to 80 per cent and PRT relief for Exploration and Appraisal (E&A) expenditure is abolished

Changes in Rates and allowances - National Insurance contributions, 2009

National Insurance - rates and allowances; $ per week 2009-10

Lower earnings limit, primary Class 1

$95

Upper earnings limit, primary Class 1

$844

Upper accruals point

$770

Primary threshold

$110

Secondary threshold

$110

Employees’ primary Class 1 rate between primary threshold and upper earnings limit

11%

Employees’ primary Class 1 rate above upper earnings limit

1%

Employees’ contracted-out rebate

1.6%

Married women’s reduced rate between primary threshold and upper earnings limit

4.85%

Married women’s rate above upper earnings limit

1%


Employers’ secondary Class 1 rate above secondary threshold

12.8%

Employers’ contracted-out rebate, salary-related schemes

3.7%

Employers’ contracted-out rebate, money-purchase schemes

1.4%

Class 2 rate

$2.40

Class 2 small earnings exception

$5,075 per year

Special Class 2 rate for share fishermen

$3.05

Special Class 2 rate for volunteer development workers

$4.75

Class 3 rate

$12.05

Class 4 lower profits limit

$5, 715 per year

Class 4 upper profits limit

$43, 875 per year

Class 4 rate between lower profits limit and upper profits limit


8%

Class 4 rate above upper profits limit

1%

[Thunderhawk]

It sounds an awful lot like your talking about which laws exist in pofo.. isnt that up to the parliament?

[Dr House]

It sounds an awful lot like your talking about which laws exist in pofo.. isnt that up to the parliament?

Well Pofo had laws before the parliament existed. The military government charged export taxes as part of a corrupt revenue grab during the 2001-2008 commodities boom, so it makes sense they also charged a petroleum revenues tax.

[ingliz]

We have been given a starting point. Taxes were levied under the old regime, oil profits and payroll were sources of revenue. We are surely allowed to amend the rates of tax already in force?

ps. A formal request has been made for Demosthenes to start a new thread so that we can begin the "vote"

[canadiancapitalist]

My opinion is your bill sucks and you should cut my taxes instead of finding new and exciting ways to waste my tax dollars.

[Dr House]

You're a rich dude in this sim right?

Well you'll be delighted to know that the government is wasting your credit rather than your tax dollars and paying you interest on it. You'll be further interested to know that you only have to pay a $3,500 capitation tax. The unemployed and the working poor have to pay the same amount or work for the government if they can't afford it, but hey you're rich. Fuck the unwashed masses right?