https://www.scmp.com/rss/322008/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com The MPF offset mechanism might sound more like bureaucratic jargon than social policy. Yet, in the context of Hong Kong’s ageing population, the operation of the Mandatory Provident Fund is a critical debate which deals directly with financial security in retirement for many. Hence, the government’s willingness to have an open consultation process on retirement protection is welcome. In our organisation’s submission, we stressed the importance of the MPF in the city’s retirement protection... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2059965/better-retirement-protection-hong-kong-begins-end-mpf?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2059965/better-retirement-protection-hong-kong-begins-end-mpf?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Jan 2017 02:00:58 +0000 With Hong Kong facing an ageing population and a large income gap, the government is to be commended for taking a measured and methodical approach to reviewing retirement protection policies. Such policies are highly connected with other important areas, particularly tax. Get the design or balance with other policies wrong and we are likely to see constant tinkering for years to come. Our experience in Australia shows that retirement protection policies are best developed after a holistic review... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1988458/when-it-comes-retirement-protection-policies-its-tough-get?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1988458/when-it-comes-retirement-protection-policies-its-tough-get?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Jul 2016 09:36:10 +0000 The ink is barely dry on the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, yet the Australian government may already be undermining the positive sentiment this game-changing agreement created. Australia’s Treasurer Scott Morrison made a “preliminary decision” last week to block the sale of Australia’s largest private landholding, S. Kidman & Co, to a Chinese-led consortium. Australia blocks largest private farm sale to Chinese over national interest Last November, the government blocked the consortium’s... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1941512/australias-rejection-chinese-led-bid-cattle-station-business?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1941512/australias-rejection-chinese-led-bid-cattle-station-business?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 May 2016 02:35:05 +0000 Hong Kong’s long-term economic and social challenges, from an ageing population to a widening income gap, are generally well known and have been discussed for many years. Given the constraints of a relatively narrow and increasingly volatile tax base, it is not a question of whether these challenges will place significant pressure on the government’s finances, but when. Such a review is likely to conclude that a goods and services tax at a low rate with suitable compensation mechanisms should be... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1898357/not-if-when-higher-taxes-needed-hong-kong-ensure-sustainable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1898357/not-if-when-higher-taxes-needed-hong-kong-ensure-sustainable?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Jan 2016 08:14:46 +0000