We want Prime Minister Julia Gillard to support a Robin Hood style tax (RHT) – a tiny tax on global financial transactions, but one which would have a huge impact on reducing poverty, tackling climate change and boosting health and education services in Australia.
Add your voice to the growing global movement supporting the Robin Hood Tax. Sign the letter below, calling on Prime Minister Julia Gillard to support a Robin Hood-type tax at the upcoming G20 meeting on 26 June.
Sign the letter:
Dear Prime Minister Gillard,
The Australian Government should support a "Robin Hood" style tax at the upcoming G20 Leaders' meeting in Toronto on June 26.
The proposed "Robin Hood" Tax is a tiny tax of just 0.05% on all financial transactions, but would have a huge impact in tackling poverty and enabling climate change adaptation in the developing world, while also helping to improve health and education levels in Australia.
Ongoing global economic turbulence, together with increasing recognition of the need for sustainable public finances and funding sources, makes now the time for global finance sector reform. Now is the time for this sector to make a fair and substantial contribution to right the damage caused by the global financial crisis, and to make an ongoing contribution to a better, fairer and more sustainable world.
Many economic and financial experts point out that a Robin Hood Tax is the only proposal on the table that will actually decrease the risk of a further crisis, reducing high frequency non-productive trading that contributes to global financial instability. Other bank "levy" type proposals have the further disadvantage of simply not raising enough money in comparison, falling well short of what's needed to tackle global poverty today and into the future.
In Toronto, G20 leaders have a tremendous opportunity to substantially reduce poverty abroad and boost important services at home. A Robin Hood Tax provides sustainable, long-term funding and discourages unproductive market behaviour.
The strength of Australia's economy in comparison to much of the rest of the world gives your government an unparalled opportunity to position us as a world leader in strengthening global financial reform and tackling poverty.
I call on the Australian Government to support a Robin Hood Tax at the G20 Leaders' meeting later this month.
June 22nd, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Thank you for your ongoing commitment.
June 22nd, 2010 at 6:23 pm
the more support this campaign gathers, the better!
June 23rd, 2010 at 1:19 pm
I just hope if this is approved they use the money wisely and to its intended purpose.
June 23rd, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Lets Make Poverty History!
June 23rd, 2010 at 7:49 pm
It is the very least we can do and whilst we are at it why not increase promotion and support for FAIR TRADE not free trade to assist the neediest countries to get a fair grip on the economical ladder. Ultimately nobody likes to rely on aid, even people in poverty have a need for self respect and a chance to have what many in the lucky country down under were simply born into!
June 24th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
This is a brilliant idea…I hope it can be implemented
June 30th, 2010 at 11:27 pm
I agree whole heartedly with Michelle McBeth and Maurice Salomone about Fair Trade not Free Trade.
August 11th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
I agree Michelle. Fair Trade is very important we have to give proud back to the producers!
September 20th, 2010 at 12:47 am
This is touted as a tiny Tax…. LOL
ahem, its a tax on all transactions…not profits !!!
This tax is probably the worst idea ever…its as old as the hills ( google Tobin Tax ) and will do the opposite of what it is intended to do.
But its a catchy cause for the public to channel their morel outrage into !
About as good an idea as the cane toad….. sorry