Ruddy Shelduck for Saturday Critter

 

The ruddy shelduck is a strikingly beautiful waterfowl known for its warm, orange-brown plumage and contrasting pale head. It’s native to parts of Asia and North Africa and is often found near lakes, rivers, and wetlands. This species is admired for its graceful swimming and distinctive, honking calls. The ruddy shelduck is also quite adaptable, thriving in a variety of habitats from high-altitude lakes to lowland wetlands. Overall, it’s a charming and elegant bird that stands out among waterfowl for its vibrant color and lively behavior.

Linking Saturday Critter

The recent proposal by the Australian Labour Party to impose a tax on unrealised gains within superannuation accounts exceeding three million dollars has understandably caused considerable concern. While it is true that this measure would directly affect only a relatively small cohort—given that merely tens of thousands of individuals possess superannuation balances of such magnitude—the absence of indexation to this three million dollar threshold raises important questions.

Moreover, taxing unrealised gains sets a significant precedent that may pave the way for future policy extensions, potentially encompassing unrealised increments in other asset classes, such as residential property values and equity portfolios. This prospect is troubling to many, as it challenges the fundamental principle that taxation should generally occur upon the actualisation of gains—when assets are converted into liquid capital—rather than on paper valuations. The idea of taxing wealth before it has been realised provokes substantial debate over fairness and economic prudence, with critics cautioning against the implications such a policy might have on investment behaviour and the broader economy.