Viv Forbes, The Australian, September 3, 1980, p. 6,
as a letter to the editor.

There is much talk from the Lib-Lab coalition in Canberra about the growth of tax evasion.

This is surely no surprise if we consider their record of provocation.

We gladly began paying moderate taxes for defence, for police and the law courts.

We then agreed to help the needy and the disadvantaged through government charities run by public servants.

Next, we shovelled mountains of money into the bottomless pits of state education and national health. We became restless as standards declined and costs rose in both spheres.

Apprehension grew as the universal dole became a postgraduate right even for able-bodied youths unable to find an enriching job close to the beach.

We objected when our aid was flung generously around the world, especially when we came to suspect that lots of it stayed in the pockets of local and foreign officials and their friends.

We became furious when corporate dole bludging became a way of life for most government business monopolies and a few of our featherbedded industries.

But this is the last straw.

Not content with injuring the taxpayers to the tune of $1.3 million for Blue Poles, the Lib-Lab coalition has paid $845,250 for a painting of waterlilies to entertain the beautiful people fortunate enough to visit the National Galleries of the Ministry of Culture.

The taxpayer is like a mouse in a home for hungry cats. Is it any wonder he is learning to hide?

And one day, the mouse will roar.

VIV FORBES
National Secretary
Progress Party
Indooroopilly, Qld