In which the pond celebrates rolled gold Caterism ...

The pond knew at once that it was the Caterist at work, and though not blessed by a Lobbecke, it had been touched by a Krygsman …

It grieves the pond to note that in the strict hierarchical, patriarchal world of the reptiles, a Krygsman must perforce be thought of as rolled gold - oh how rolled gold has rolled out as a form of abuse these last few days, without much sense or understanding of the cheap trinkets to which it refers - but perforce, taking the name of Groucho Marx in vain is better than nothing …

Before proceedings begin, a message from our sponsor ...

The pond was so delighted to see that the cash in the paw had kicked in, that it rushed out the news yesterday, with a link to the source here …

It has to be said that the Department of Finance is a little slow in its reporting - this cash in the paw kicked in a long time ago and will expire in August 2018 - as if they're ashamed at this use of taxpayers' hard-earned money - but still the news that the Caterists remain on the taxpayer teat is better late than never …

It adds a piquant flavour to anything the Caterists have got to say about pretty much anything, though perhaps allegedly caring about the fate of taxpayers is the headiest, richest stew of hypocrisy of all ...

Of course in this world of pain, the only thing that can be relied upon is cash in the paw, and thank the long absent lord that the Caterists are okay.

It goes without saying that the Caterists are just thinly disguised coalition flakes and floozies and it's easy enough to pick up alternative advice on matters taxational …as here …

...in the long term, individuals with high incomes will benefit the most once the tax reform is fully implemented. For example a couple both earning twice the average full-time salary can expect an extra $13,000 in 2024-25,” NATSEM said.

Sadly this doesn't specify the tax of people or institutes earning above the average cash in the paw government grant, but Grattan ended this way …

Out in the electorate, the corporate tax cuts have become an even harder sell in the wake of the banking royal commission.
So, on tax, Malcolm Turnbull now finds himself with a triple challenge. He has to convince people that Shorten’s more generous income tax package for lower and middle income earners is irresponsible, that the budget’s long-term reform towards a flatter system is not unfair, and that the company corporate tax cuts are as vital as the government maintains for Australia’s competitiveness, growth and jobs. It’s quite a task really.

Not when you're a Caterist, helped out by humble taxpayers …

But it's not the pond's job to defend Comrade Bill and end up sounding like a Menzies Institute party political hack, hacking out the usual propaganda …

Instead the pond prefers the Roweian point of view, with more balanced Rowe here ...

And that image should be enough to get the average reader through the rest of the paid party political hackery.

What a splendid sight that chap is in the boater hat, sunning himself on the lawn of life, NO emblazoned on his chest thanks to carefully coiffed chest hair …

Some might also be entertained by the sight of the Caterists quoting an ABC person as a figure of authoritative insight, and a debate about what is the threshold between battler and exorbitance, though the pond has a figure, and it is precisely $232,672 ...

And so to the credit for this shill, selling his snake oil for a humble $232,672 of taxpayer cash in the paw, turning up at the trough each year for his shameless feast of taxpayer truffles ...

As for the rest, the pond will settle for a Pope cartoon, with more papal images to be found here …