Where the pensioner's cash handout went...

[gfresh]

http://www.theage.com.au/national/pokies-binge-follows-handout-20090123-7ori.html

Pokies binge follows hand-out

CHRISTMAS came early to Victoria's poker machine operators with punters' losses soaring in December.

Figures released yesterday appear to confirm anecdotal evidence that much of the Federal Government's cash hand-out was spent on gambling.

..

Last month, some Melbourne pokies' venue operators said turnover on the machines had been up by up to 40 per cent on the day of the hand-outs.

"We called it Kevin Rudd Thursday," a manager said.

The Federal Government paid out $8.7 billion in December, with Victorians receiving about $2.2 billion.

Single pensioner and seniors health card holders received a one-off $1400; every pensioner couple $2100; every carer an extra $1000 for each person in their care; and each family receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A an extra $1000 for every child in their care.

Kevin Rudd Thursday kind of funny, but kind of not

 

[pilots]

Gfresh, we are involved with a bottle shop outlet in the NT, that day was our Best ever takings. The people that needed help just wasted the money, and are back at square one again.

 

[ROE]

must be good for Tabcorp

 

[knocker]

And why not gamble it away. No point putting it a bank that may fold at anytime. No point giving to super because it will dissappear within a week as negative interest. And what about the mortgage you say? Who cares the house will be half its value in a few years time and I'll probably die from stress before that time anyway lol

 

[Nyden]

And why not gamble it away. No point putting it a bank that may fold at anytime. No point giving to super because it will dissappear within a week as negative interest. And what about the mortgage you say? Who cares the house will be half its value in a few years time and I'll probably die from stress before that time anyway lol

I'd have bought a new TV. See Kevin Rudd? You gave it to the wrong blooming people.

 

[knocker]

I'd have bought a new TV. See Kevin Rudd? You gave it to the wrong blooming people.

Good stuff. Then you could have seen more of ruddys smiling face each time he boards the plane lol

 

[Tysonboss1]

My girlfriends brother bought an ounce of weed instead of his regular $50 Bag,

His kids who were supposed to benefit also still have little food in the cupboard and no school stuff, and now the money is gone he is back to hassling the rest of the family for hand outs,... I hate that guy so much.

 

[Largesse]

one of my best mate manages a pub down the road from me.
said pokie machine takings were up nearly 70% for the week immediatly following the handout hitting bank accounts

 

[Trevor_S]

I was of the understanding that the month of December saw about a 10% increase in pokie revenue in QLD (for example). If that is translated across the nation and ALL of the increase is associated to the $10Billion handout, then that comes out to about $200 Million, which doesn't seem to be a large percentage of the handout amount.

That aside, people can spend the money they are given as they see fit. What I find annoying is that:
1. it was given in the first place
2. it was billed as a economic stimulus when it was no such thing

If the Government had no use of the money, which apparently they did not, as they "gave it away", it should have been returned to those who paid it. (Government should NOT and MUST not be about wealth redistribution)

Welfare reform is long overdue but then so is defence spending and the entire democratic process, so what hope is there of anything worthwhile every changing

 

[knocker]

I was of the understanding that the month of December saw about a 10% increase in pokie revenue in QLD (for example). If that is translated across the nation and ALL of the increase is associated to the $10Billion handout, then that comes out to about $200 Million, which doesn't seem to be a large percentage of the handout amount.

That aside, people can spend the money they are given as they see fit. What I find annoying is that:
1. it was given in the first place
2. it was billed as a economic stimulus when it was no such thing

If the Government had no use of the money, which apparently they did not, as they "gave it away", it should have been returned to those who paid it. (Government should NOT and MUST not be about wealth redistribution)

Welfare reform is long overdue but then so is defence spending and the entire democratic process, so what hope is there of anything worthwhile every changing

Well hey, everything is going to **** so maybe KRudd though it would be a good idea to help some of his retiring buddies lol

 

[son of baglimit]

please folks- just a bit of clarity here.

yes a % of the handout did get wasted (according to some), but it still went thru the economy, whether it be grog, weed, sex, pokies (85%+ returned to players) etc etc.

but the clear majority did achieve what it was supposed to - did anyone walk thru shopping districts in the weeks leading up to the handouts - they were empty - scarily empty, cos with media hype, and yes some of it correct, there was less surety amongst the public. and scarily empty cos xmas was upon us, and no one was spending.

suddenly, the handout arrives, retailers being aware people finally have some extra cash to spend, then they put out the sale signs, and BANG, spending goes thru the roof, many thousands of part time & casuals have that extra work over xmas, the moods of the common folk lift a little, and those casual workers then naturally spend their extra wages etc etc etc.

the handout did its job, and now the govt can target the next sector needing handouts - poor alienated traders.