The Abbott Government

[sptrawler]

I think the concern for me with young people accessing their super is it can fuel a rise in house prices that are already relatively high indexed to wages. The money presumably finds its way into the bankers hands that would otherwise be used for whatever supe funds use money for.

I agree with that completely and how that could be stopped would be difficult, but probably not impossible.

But to just ridicule and bash the idea, without giving it some due diligence, is doing the young people a disservice.IMO

Maybe it could only be linked to new buildings upto a certain value, somewhat like the first home buyers grant.
Or some form of Government co sponsored builders, that build capped price houses, for first home buyers.

Even some form of tax initiative to build said houses, e.g first home buyers can claim a tax deduction for interest on their PPR.
This could be offset by the removal of said deduction for investors, who knows?

But I am sure young people are better served with the subject being debated, rather than seeing it as another opportunity to bash Abbott/ Hockey.

Just dumb media and spitefull Laborites, putting their personal vendetta before peoples welfare.IMO

 

[sptrawler]

Here is another symptom of our times.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/cont...-bongs-to-luxury-sailing-20150313-142hmp.html

I have four kids, all in the early to mid 30's, non went to uni.

But they are a lot more affluent than I was at their age, my wife still doesn't spend anything on hair colouring, false finger nails or designer clothing.

What the kids spend on themselves make me cringe, but hang on I'm the baby boomer selfish generation.lol

I still look for the bargain, and yes pick up the 5 cent pieces, the kids can't be bothered picking up. They laugh at me and say "dad don't pick it up, it isn't worth anything".
I just shrug and say "old habits die hard".

These same kids I took along roads to pick up aluminium cans, to take for scrap metal and gave them the money. So they would appreciate the value of it.
Shows, that was a waste of my time. lol

We really do need a reality check.IMO

 

[banco]

Here is another symptom of our times.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/cont...-bongs-to-luxury-sailing-20150313-142hmp.html

I have four kids, all in the early to mid 30's, non went to uni.

But they are a lot more affluent than I was at their age, my wife still doesn't spend anything on hair colouring, false finger nails or designer clothing.

What the kids spend on themselves make me cringe, but hang on I'm the baby boomer selfish generation.lol

I still look for the bargain, and yes pick up the 5 cent pieces, the kids can't be bothered picking up. They laugh at me and say "dad don't pick it up, it isn't worth anything".
I just shrug and say "old habits die hard".

These same kids I took along roads to pick up aluminium cans, to take for scrap metal and gave them the money. So they would appreciate the value of it.
Shows, that was a waste of my time. lol

We really do need a reality check.IMO

 

[sptrawler]

View attachment 61975

Good one banco.

 

[drsmith]

Today stinks because the price of bananas is going up and the growers who had a lift last week from good flows in the Gascoyne river have copped something much more nasty,

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-13/tc-olwyn-bananas-pastoral-stations/6315222

 

[sptrawler]

Actually banco, today doesn't stink at all, we have never had it better.

The only issue is house prices in inner city areas, apart from that, things have never been better or cheaper.

In relative terms, cars have never been cheaper, white goods have never been cheaper, electronic goods have never been cheaper. Actually there isn't much that relative to wages hasn't got cheaper, also there is a lot more choice now than there used to be.

It is only Capital City house prices, that have outstripped incomes and welfare, I bet properties in Geelong and Elizebeth aren't sky rocketing.

I know in country W.A prices are similar to what they were pre GFC.

Maybe we are so fixated on Sydney, Melbourne house prices, that we are talking ourselves into a depressed state. Or the media harping on about it, induces a panic and despair state in the population.

It really is time for people to realise how good we have it, and work out how we are going to keep it so.IMO

 

[IFocus]

The myth of Coalition economic management

Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey are on track to destroy one of the most commonly held beliefs in Australian politics, namely, that the Coalition are better economic managers than Labor.

Indeed, smashing this "truism" may be one of their few lasting legacies.

As economist Stephen Koukoulas noted back in 2012, Howard and Costello were accorded a respect their actual economic record didn't deserve:

The budget papers ... show that the Howard government was the highest taxing government in Australia's history. In 2004-05 and 2005-06, the tax to GDP ratio reached a record high 24.2 per cent. In addition, there have been only seven occasions where the tax to GDP ratio has been in excess of 23.5 per cent of GDP and all seven were under the Howard government.

In a similar vein, in the last 30 years, there have been 10 occasions when the tax to GDP ratio has been below 22.0 per cent of GDP and all 10 were under a Labor Government. To put simply, the Howard government was a high taxer, while the current Labor Government is a lower taxer.

In terms of government spending, there have been only five years in the four decades leading up to 2012-13 when real government spending was cut in real terms. None of those cuts were delivered by a Coalition government.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-12/dunlop-the-myth-of-coalition-economic-management/6308704

 

[sptrawler]

The myth of Coalition economic management



As economist Stephen Koukoulas noted back in 2012, Howard and Costello were accorded a respect their actual economic record didn't deserve:



http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-12/dunlop-the-myth-of-coalition-economic-management/6308704

So they were the highest taxing, yet yourself and others bag them, for giving out personal tax cuts?

At the moment we don't take enough tax to cover our running costs, and everyone is bagging that.

So what is the problem with Howard, you are highlighting?

I'm confused.

They were high taxing and returned the budget to surplus.
Then they reduced personal tax rates, to stimulate spending, borrowing and investment.

Isn't that what everyone is saying is needed now? Isn't that why the reserve bank is reducing interest rates?

I would argue it was sensible.

Labor didn't increase taxes as revenue dropped, untill the penny dropped, then it was knee jerk reaction tax time.

 

[Smurf1976]

In relative terms, cars have never been cheaper, white goods have never been cheaper, electronic goods have never been cheaper. Actually there isn't much that relative to wages hasn't got cheaper, also there is a lot more choice now than there used to be.

The world has changed so much in that regard that anyone born in the past 25 years probably doesn't grasp just how limited in choice and expensive practically everything used to be.

Housing and food aren't cheap, but practically everything else is ridiculously cheap these days compared to what it cost a generation ago.

 

[IFocus]

I would doubt that, for all Abbotts highlighted faults, most would prefer someone who stands up for their beliefs.

What is it Abbott believes in other than saving his own skin?

He has sold out on virtually everything he and Hockey stand for robbing the poor to give to the rich ahla US Republican nutter territory.

Looks like he has even sold the Aboriginals down the road after what appears to be him using them for his own profile rather than any thing useful.

To be honest even I have been really shocked at how totally incompetence Abbott and this government have been on all fronts other than stopping the boats (which I didn't think they could do but I underestimated how nasty a right winger can be).

 

[Logique]

Shock horror, Tony Abbott on a farm inspection, bites into a raw onion! Oh the humanity!

The Left are a story written by Herman Melville. Like so many Captain Ahabs in monomaniacal pursuit of their white whale. They ought to take note of how that turned out.

It is the best argument for keeping TA in the leadership, as it was for John Howard before him.

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-polit...e-eats-a-raw-onion-whole-20150313-143syz.html
Tony Abbott shocks as he eats a raw onion whole - SMH, 14 March 2015

 

[IFocus]

So they were the highest taxing, yet yourself and others bag them, for giving out personal tax cuts?

No one is arguing against the fact that Howard bought elections handing out middle class welfare along with tax cuts during a revenue boom setting up future governments with a structural budget black hole. Rudd also went along with the ride on his 1st election win.

At the moment we don't take enough tax to cover our running costs, and everyone is bagging that.

All I hear is Labors wasteful spending fine answers simple just stop those wasteful spending policy's why hasn't Abbott done that?

They were high taxing and returned the budget to surplus.
Then they reduced personal tax rates, to stimulate spending, borrowing and investment.

They ended up in a revenue boom along with selling assets (Telstra alone was $70bil) Howard and Costello as a result were hailed as economic genius's.

Isn't that what everyone is saying is needed now? Isn't that why the reserve bank is reducing interest rates?

Howard said interest rates would always be lower under the Coalition looks like he was right as we head towards our 1st recession in a while under Abbott.

 

[Tisme]

Just a bit of a score card fot Tony. I would post one for Bill, but he isn't PM yet:


http://www.phonytonyabbott.com/content/broken-promises

 

[sptrawler]

No one is arguing against the fact that Howard bought elections handing out middle class welfare along with tax cuts during a revenue boom setting up future governments with a structural budget black hole. Rudd also went along with the ride on his 1st election win.



All I hear is Labors wasteful spending fine answers simple just stop those wasteful spending policy's why hasn't Abbott done that?







They ended up in a revenue boom along with selling assets (Telstra alone was $70bil) Howard and Costello as a result were hailed as economic genius's.



Howard said interest rates would always be lower under the Coalition looks like he was right as we head towards our 1st recession in a while under Abbott.

I give in, get Labor back in, let's see how that goes.

 

[noco]

All I hear is Labors wasteful spending fine answers simple just stop those wasteful spending policy's why hasn't Abbott done that?

They ended up in a revenue boom along with selling assets (Telstra alone was $70bil) Howard and Costello as a result were hailed as economic genius's.

If the Green/Labor left wing socialist coalition would co-operate and approve some $23 billion cut in spending in the senate including the $5 billion Labor were going cut but now renege, our financial situation would be a lot better.

Howard sold of Telstra to pay of the $90 billion debt left behind by Keating.

Ifocus, do you have a short memory or have you just left school?

 

[noco]

I give in, get Labor back in, let's see how that goes.

SP, don't give up.....we have to keep hammering home what the Green/Labor left wing socialists are really up to.

They want to send us bankrupt by borrowing more until then renege in paying back the debt......Engage in central control...control the media ( they are well on the way there with the ABC), banks, mining, manufacturing, agriculture and even the way we live...It is called democratic socialism (communism).....They will not use these terms because they know there would a back lash from voters.....the Green/Labor coalition are going about things in a very subtle way and the naive do not realize just what the end result will be...When they do find out, it will be too late.

Free enterprise and profits are dirty words in the eyes of the Green/Labor coalition....They have done their best to kill of free enterprise by introducing the carbon tax and the mining tax along with lots of Labor red and green tape....Drive companies off shore.

I can expect a barrage of hits from the lefties, but it will not worry me....I know the lefties have no time for me because most of them know it is the truth.

Having followed the modus operandi of the Green/Labor coalition and Labor before the Greens came on the scene,
I know what I am talking about....They will also push for a republic and then we will fall into to the hands of a dictatorship.

 

[sydboy007]

Being fair, it isn't a subsidy of $85,000 per person for power and water, but don't let facts get in the way of your story.

I'm finding it amazing, how every unsustainable issue is now finding a champion for it.

Maybe the government should put forward a plan, that allows those who feel strongly about an issue, being able to have tax deductible payments taken from their pay to support it.

If then there isn't the money forethcoming, they can examine the validity of the cause.

Just watched Tony Jones try and tie up Hockey, bloody rude, interjected and tried to push his agenda.IMO

When Jones harped on about Hockey's suggestion that young people can access their super, I wish Hockey had said " Tony would you prefer to own your own home in retirement? Or have $200k more in super?"

Jones and all the rest are just idiots.IMO

I don't think using super to buy ridiculous mortgages is right in the current market, but I don't think going into retirement without a PPR is good either.

To just ridicule the suggestion, and throw it out because of media generated hype, is dumb also.

Why couldn't there be joint super/ government estates established, where crown land and FHB estates are established.

Just hope the government puts up the top tax rate to 60% as it was 30 years ago, that would give Jones and all the fat cats something to bitch about.
Rather than sitting back "killing the pig", while spruiting their concern for the little guy.
Absolute dicks.IMO

why not move towards bribing the states with money on opening up land faster. possibly using some funds to encourage a move to a land tax system and help to reduce the obscene upfront developer levies. IF there was going to be a lot of new supply brought online then I'd say using some super money to hep witht he purchase wouldn't be such a bad idea, but what's the point if there's limited new supply but a few extra billions added to demand?

Singapore allows locals to use their form of super to purchase a house, and if you saw a chart of house price growth there it sort of makes sydney price growth look a bit sedate over the last decade.

as for higher income taxes, no need to do it. just start shutting down a lot of the loopholes available to the rich. discretionary family trusts comes to mind, along with NG and halving of CGT. Tax super contributions at marginal rates. So far none of this is on the agenda.

 

[noco]

He has sold out on virtually everything he and Hockey stand for robbing the poor to give to the rich ahla US Republican nutter territory.

.

Ifocus, that crummy line by Labor is old hat...Labor has been using that propaganda for 100 years......

This the 21 st century.

 

[dutchie]

Holy Moly, I just found out Tony Abbott ate a raw onion.

I agree with Fairfax - this makes him unsuitable to be PM!

 

[basilio]

Great, great story by Jack Waterford on how Tony Abbotts determination that the Government can't continue to support "unviable lifestyle options" will be spread across the whole community. Exquisite stuff.

Go for it Tones!

If Tony Abbott thinks remote communities aren't viable, he can start with Tasmania

Date
March 14, 2015 - 9:30PM

Tony Abbott has done all Australians a favour by raising the question of the economical viability of remote communities. He is surely right to wonder if we can continue to spend large sums of money in areas where there are no real jobs, and little in the prospects of finding them. People, it seems, are going to have to move to where the work is.

Because he was dealing with a question about the defunding of Aboriginal outstations, there were some who drew the conclusion that he was confining himself to their situation. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Indeed he was privileging Aboriginal Australians, as John Howard did before with the Aboriginal intervention, with a scheme he means to make of general application. It's a great idea, so why should not our first people be the first to know, or to experience the benefit.

The proposal is about saving future generations from the unconscionable burden of intergenerational theft, Labor's debt and deficit nightmare and the churlish refusal of senators to adopt last year's budget.
Advertisement

As luck has it, it may emerge that Abbott will not be discriminating in favour of Aboriginal communities as he develops his plan to make everyone, and everything and everywhere viable. That's because there are bigger targets, as a result of which they may have to wait their turn.

As we shift people away from unviable areas and communities, we can flog the vacated real estate, perhaps to Tonga. Or Kiribati, sinking into the ocean. Or New Zealand, China, the United States, perhaps even to Israel or the Islamic State.

This could solve our foreign debt problems for all time, and put a smile on every face. Let others face the problem of making such areas viable.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/com...-can-start-with-tasmania-20150314-14349j.html