Anyone who reads Biased-BBC knows that watching an political programme involves a gymnastic combination of holding your nose, pouring yourself a stiff drink and reaching for your wallet.

To watch England beating Australia in the Ashes on Sky, one needs to pay the BBC their telly tax. However it (whisper it not in the presence of Gordoom for fear of giving him ideas) the Aussies are going to tax consumers to even buy the kit to watch them lose.

For we learn from the Australian Sunday Herald Sun that buyers may be charged an additional $30 for a TV or computer under a plan to pay for the safe disposal of old appliances.

The Federal Government claims that the new tax is to pay for compulsory recycling, but as we know so-called hypothecated taxation is a scam and money can never be accurately ring-fenced for pet projects.

The tax is outlined in a government-commissioned report to the Environment Protection and Heritage Council of federal and state environment ministers.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett revealed the report last week with a low-key press release calling for six months of community consultations. But he did not refer to the issue of a new tax.

The Price Waterhouse Coopers report to the council says the need to change community and commercial behaviour in relation to recycling old TVs and computers means a tax to pay for their disposal is an option that has to be seriously considered.

Computer users reacted with outrage to news of the new tax.

“I don’t think putting a tax on computers is the answer,” said Lyn Goodall, former president of the Melbourne PC Users Group. “It’s just slugging the consumer. Computers are expensive enough as it is.”

The National Association of Retail Grocers of Australia senior policy adviser Gerard Van Rijswijk said the plan amounted to “a billion-dollar scam”.

Australian Information Industry Association chief Ian Burke said a straight-out tax would probably add an average $30 to the cost of a new television. He said his group would prefer each importer or retailer to have market-based competitive recycling schemes to reduce the hit on consumers and achieve better environmental outcomes.

“A flat levy is one option,” Mr Burke said. “But we don’t advocate that because the consumer would pay more.”

The Opposition described the idea as “a television tax”, with Coalition environment spokesman Greg Hunt saying it would hurt low income earners most.

Perhaps Gordoom is going to give this tax a miss as it will hit his couch-potato dole slob benefit scrounging voter base the hardest. Instead, class hatred and bitterness will remain the background for taxation decisions. Via the most splendid Croydonian, renowned for pulling obscure but fascinating facts from obscurity into the cold light of day, we learn of a proposed tax in the UK to own a horse.

Good grief. Whatever next.