This means bad taxes are increased or new taxes invented... The GST has not realised the revenue hoped by politicians who have watched spending surge on exempt items, such as health and education, while consumers also try to save their money in challenging times. Lifting the GST base to lower other taxes would be an overly simple change to the system. Instead, the full debate about the best ways for governments to gain revenue would consider the full range of options available in taxation systems. Mr Greiner is among the people whose views should be considered. Few know the difficulty of funding expensive state services -- or the capriciousness of a tax revenue dependent on consumers' spending -- like a state premier. And no one has the grittiness to urge reform like a former politician now free from party discipline. Tax systems, like the nations they service, grow. Let them grow in harmony. Australians have always shown they can engage in intelligent macro-economic debate. Voters should be given the chance. Responsibility for election comment is taken by David Fagan (News Queensland editorial director) http://www.news.com.au/top-stories/edito\\... in other words, Greiner, a Liberal, wants to raise the GST or extend it to exempt items. the Coalition is "promising to prepare a White Paper on the tax system should it win the next election". and it's all because the public has less disposable income to spend due to other taxes, including the carbon dioxide tax we would never have under the current Govt. Its