Campaigners in Perth, Fremantle, Nedlands and Burswood took to the streets this week to mark the Robin Hood tax Global Day of Action by donning local statues with Robin Hood hats. Bonn Scott in Fremantle, The upside-down man in Perth, the swan at Burswood and the famous Lady of the Swan ‘Eliza’ in Nedlands were among 15 statues donned in Robin Hood Regalia.
Robin Hood tax supporters in 35 other countries around the world were also conducting similar stunts to raise awareness about the Financial Transactions Tax, popularly known as the Robin Hood Tax.
The Robin Hood Tax is a financial transactions tax applied internationally of 0.05. per cent on all financial transactions including stocks, bonds and currency. The revenue from this tax would raise billions of dollars for domestic programs, overseas development and aid, especially to help people overcoming the impacts of climate change
The day was considered a resounding success, with the president of the European Commission announcing they will introduce legislation at the European Union, which countries have the right to veto nationally. Campaigners are also eyeing the G20, the forum of the world’s richest countries, as their next target.
More than 1000 of the world’s leading economists have written to the G20 asking them to instigate this tax.
Australian campaigners and leading economist Professor John Langmore marked the day by delivering a letter to the Prime Minister, calling on Prime Minister Julia Gillard to follow European leaders and throw her full support behind the tax at the G20 meeting in France this year.
As one of the richest 20 countries, Australia’s support for this tax could help broker a deal and save millions of lives, including those in poverty and suffering from the impacts of climate change.
What you can do:
- Write to Wayne Swan to get Australia to support to the tax at the G20.
