Byron Shire Council is urging the federal government to take meaningful action on Federal Assistance Grants (FAGs), advocating for an increase from the current 0.5 per cent of tax revenue to one per cent.

Near the end of Ballina Shire Council's last epic meeting, Cr Eoin Johnston put forward a motion to pursue the idea of tax deductible donations from the public to fund essential local council services. He wanted support from his fellow councillors to take his motion to the Australian Local Government Association.

With the NSW election looming on March 25, there will no doubt soon be a government bonanza of promises to impress, you, the good-looking and articulate voter, into thinking that this or that party will govern with your interests at heart. 

Since the federal government has no nominal limitations on spending, it means that it can always afford to buy anything for sale in its own currency, including labour. As such, unemployment is a political choice, not an economic imperative.

Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) is an approach to economics that views money as a human relationship, rather than a thing in our wallets.