tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post698448655498920080..comments2023-11-05T23:07:01.842+11:00Comments on Grog's Gamut: On the QT: That’s a bit rich.Greg Jerichohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04956402439870441083noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-37505442895847408542011-05-12T23:13:52.140+10:002011-05-12T23:13:52.140+10:00@Adam -- if you think I'm being sarcastic, you...@Adam -- if you think I'm being sarcastic, you must be a troll.<br /><br />Apparently buying a flat screen TV contributes just as much to Australian society as raising well-educated, (hopefully) well-adjusted kids?<br /><br />While you're retired and relaxing on your superannuation, my kids will be paying the taxes that continue to fund the infrastructure you benefit from.<br /><br />So no, it's not a question of you "paying more tax". It's a question of the government investing in the future of the country for people who are prepared to contribute. Costello's speeches on the Baby Bonus make that quite clear.<br /><br />I stand by my claim: Means testing things like FTB, Baby Bonus and the Private Health Insurance rebate undermine the reason why these payments were originally established and counterproductively distort our progressive tax system.Stephen Boundshttp://bounds.net.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-22969450330069246532011-05-12T21:27:19.154+10:002011-05-12T21:27:19.154+10:00And as for me,trying to survive on newstart at age...And as for me,trying to survive on newstart at age 59 following a 30 year relationship breakdown with no bloody assets and rent to pay and no savings because I had to spend what I had saved to be eligible for this pissing $464.00 per fortnight, well you can imagine how I feel about this garbage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-86591877232980958422011-05-12T14:51:47.363+10:002011-05-12T14:51:47.363+10:00@Stephen Bounds, I cannot tell if their is sarcasm...@Stephen Bounds, I cannot tell if their is sarcasm in your note.<br /><br />Wealthy Childless Singles and Couples? Why do I get taxed more when I earn the same as someone else, Because I made a choice not to have children?<br /><br />Why should we not be treated equally? They chose children. I chose a holiday (x many). <br /><br />Simply because I have lower costs at home due to my choices, am I now expected to pay more tax?<br /><br />What if the difference was someone buying a big screen TV, and I go without? Should I pay more tax now because I have less expenses at home?<br /><br />BTW, if you couldn't extrapolate my argument, I am also absolutely against any govt funded - paid maternity leave.<br /><br />Having children is a lifestyle choice. If you choose to have children, then you are choosing to raise them, pay for them, look after them. Please don't push the responsibility for your choices onto others.Adamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-2569192685440270382011-05-12T14:49:18.831+10:002011-05-12T14:49:18.831+10:00BB and Patricia. No I was wrong - I don't mind...BB and Patricia. No I was wrong - I don't mind admitting so. <br /><br />Anon, apparently the budget is now tough. Who knew!Greg Jerichohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04956402439870441083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-85911007093655668662011-05-12T14:23:43.592+10:002011-05-12T14:23:43.592+10:00Half agree with you, Bushfire Bill, but I don'...Half agree with you, Bushfire Bill, but I don't think Grog wants to play by their rules. He'll never join them since he's well able to beat them. Congrats on the praise from Jonathon Holmes on Media Watch, Grog.<br /><br />Rhiannon, if it's any comfort, just wait till your kids grow up and leave home. You'll have plenty of disposable income then!<br />During years on struggle street one learns to enjoy simple pleasures that cost little or are free. I know other seniors, like me, who just don't spend all their pension, whether government or self-funded.<br /><br />Kids' food, clothes, health etc. are big, unremitting costs. Amazingly I've seen and heard comments from DINKS complaining that there's nothing in this budget for them! Everyone has their hand out these days, it seems. Nice to think that <br />they and others like them are getting a whack from gutsy Gillard's stick in this and hopefully many a budget to come.Patricia WAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-28354885301239844672011-05-12T12:12:07.924+10:002011-05-12T12:12:07.924+10:00I'm confused now. Is the Budget tough?I'm confused now. Is the Budget tough?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-83873002472978877362011-05-12T08:09:52.575+10:002011-05-12T08:09:52.575+10:00Bah...
You shouldn't have retracted your comm...Bah...<br /><br />You shouldn't have retracted your comments Grog.<br /><br />If they spin, bootstrap and outright lie, then why can't mere mortals?<br /><br />Where's their retraction of the Gail Kelly story?<br /><br />Indeed, Nikki Savva on Insiders the other day when confronted with incontrovertible evidence that their Kelly story was wrong to wit, words from Kelly's own mouth - commented that it wasn't the Oz that was at fault, it was Kelly. Apparently the Oz knew Kelly's own mind better than Kelly did!<br /><br />Oz journalists regard retractions and corrections as signs of weakness. Toughen up mate.Bushfire billnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-48005944990378701292011-05-12T07:58:23.453+10:002011-05-12T07:58:23.453+10:00I have to say as a family of four with an average ...I have to say as a family of four with an average mortgage, on $50k a year, yes I most certainly DO consider people or families on $150k wealthy.<br />And despite being married to a 'blue-collar worker' and only having retail experience myself I certainly consider myself middle-class as I am 'second generation tertiary educated' and come from a Canberra public service family (sucking of the public teat, blah blah blah)<br />I totally approve of child care rebate, and totally approve of FTB, to a point (because I live on it) but I am completely in favour of reducing subsidies for higher-income earners. Yes, yes - class warfare. Politics of envy, blah blah blah.<br />I spent my baby bonus on part of a 1kw solar electricity system, which means now my kids can actually eat actual food.<br />I have met someone who spent hers on a diamond ring.<br />Aspirations need to be subsidised? Hell, I aspire to a new Mercedes. I aspire to a smartphone. I aspire to another qualification so that I can get a job. I aspire to having some heating in my house. I aspire to a 1935 WACO biplane.<br />Anyone feel like contributing? (Ok, you may be contributing to my further education. Thanks!)<br /><br />Sorry about incoherent rant - I am just tired and cross about the expectation of more and more public money being directed at people who need it least.Rhiannonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-89681542418939293722011-05-12T00:51:30.400+10:002011-05-12T00:51:30.400+10:00Considering how stupid everything Hockey was sayin...Considering how stupid everything Hockey was saying was, I think you can be forgiven for assuming that he had no idea what he was talking about.Lnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-92231755570565132132011-05-11T23:04:59.227+10:002011-05-11T23:04:59.227+10:00So now the government is supposed to support you i...So now the government is supposed to support you if you're 'aspirational' for yourself and your family? Perverse Howard logic gone crazy!Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12850659738502789103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-3739395584042728262011-05-11T23:01:31.548+10:002011-05-11T23:01:31.548+10:00To me the whole debate about "middle class we...To me the whole debate about "middle class welfare" is really wrong-headed.<br /><br />The question shouldn't be whether higher-income families receive subsidies compared to middle-income families.<br /><br />The question is: Should people who have chosen to raise children should pay less net tax than single and couples who remain childless?<br /><br />I would argue yes.<br /><br />There's nothing wrong with trying to focus welfare support on lower income earners but at the moment governments are pinging families and letting the wealthy childless off scot-free. <br /><br />The cry of "middle-class welfare" doesn't change the fact that these cuts target people who are less able to afford them than others in our society.Stephen Boundshttp://bounds.net.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-54855793482038159362011-05-11T22:44:01.743+10:002011-05-11T22:44:01.743+10:00The argument of 'is $150000 rich' is ridic...The argument of 'is $150000 rich' is ridiculous. My parents don't earn anywhere near that amount of sum but we're not complaining. Just don't spend that much on unnecessary or 'luxury' items and don't take that much of a loan.thefactishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05152987557304103171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-79385679677581091042011-05-11T22:40:51.201+10:002011-05-11T22:40:51.201+10:00Three best blogs on the budget (not in order of me...Three best blogs on the budget (not in order of merit):<br /><br />1)Ben Pobjie in the drum (cocked revolver pointed at his bum; too funny)<br />2) Prof Julian Disney's succinct rolls royce analysis in Peter Martin's blog<br />3) this one of courseGordicansnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-749556303935005502011-05-11T22:19:48.492+10:002011-05-11T22:19:48.492+10:00The whole debate about "who is rich" is ...The whole debate about "who is rich" is beyond stupid because wealth is one of the most relative descriptors I can think of.<br /><br />Compared to some countries, just about every single person in Australia is rich beyond their wildest dreams. Compared to some suburbs in Australia, 95% of Australians are poor.<br /><br />The question of who is rich is the wrong question. The discussion should be at what level it is no longer appropriate to receive subsidies from the government.<br /><br />It's stupid because almost all such "working family" subsidies are just reverse taxation - they pay (just picking numbers out of the air) $20 000 tax per year, but are entitled to $10 000 a year in subsidies. It is pointless churn - but these people are entitled to their "benefits".<br /><br />Middle class welfare is a problem, but the solution is going to be, politically, very difficult to resolve.Mr Tiedthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17655292171719390972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-576561014633123082011-05-11T22:06:38.779+10:002011-05-11T22:06:38.779+10:00@Typing_Monkey - Then you consider that the dole f...@Typing_Monkey - Then you consider that the dole for a single parent with kids is around 10% of what the Allardyces take home each month ($515 per fortnight, I think). <br /><br />I know there are other concessions and support payments for a Newstart recipient with dependent children - but geez it's not a lot of money for a family to be getting on with. <br /><br />A family on $150K might not be rich, but they are well-off and with basic financial literacy should be able to pay their own way.Moneypennynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-12976414751472137952011-05-11T21:36:20.496+10:002011-05-11T21:36:20.496+10:00On the Allardyces in the Oz...if they're earni...On the Allardyces in the Oz...if they're earning $200K a year, and paying $5k a month in tax and child care, they're still taking home $11.5K a month.<br />How anybody could think that theyre doing it tough on that kind of money is beyond me.Typing_Monkeynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-68956798072737684992011-05-11T21:27:57.375+10:002011-05-11T21:27:57.375+10:00In my world, $100,000 a year is rich. It's way...In my world, $100,000 a year is rich. It's way above what most people earn. Two people on two hundred thou is beyond my comprehension. I don't know anyone in that scale with or without kids.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15356422488538820280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-14602536146150021592011-05-11T21:10:40.459+10:002011-05-11T21:10:40.459+10:00Oi u dont you ever dare stop blogging, or I will...Oi u dont you ever dare stop blogging, or I will come at you with a blunt plastic rusty Macca's plastic spoon. Haa you thought I'd say knife no sir cant afford that kind of stuff, I'm not even on 45g a year.Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01710071267500476061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-2849715658548836302011-05-11T21:05:25.222+10:002011-05-11T21:05:25.222+10:00By freezing the indexation of the FTB supplements ...By freezing the indexation of the FTB supplements any increase in the "handed back after submitting your tax return" after the end of the entitlement year won't be happening. <br /><br />The supplements were introduced by Howard before the 04 election (mostly to escape embarrassing debts) they were later indexed in a Costello budget to keep giving away the huge surplus.<br /><br />If you are relying on an increase in an end of year payment by the CPI to get by you are in serious troubleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-70486165215949681322011-05-11T21:03:00.758+10:002011-05-11T21:03:00.758+10:00Space Kiddette I can relate to that in my job toda...Space Kiddette I can relate to that in my job today a "professional" with a 5 million dollar house (and only a 20% mortgage) asked to pay a $10000 debt by instalments. I guess he didnt consider himself rich either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-26041841944864111352011-05-11T20:59:03.053+10:002011-05-11T20:59:03.053+10:00Great post Grog. Thanks for clearing up the FTB B ...Great post Grog. Thanks for clearing up the FTB B thing. I too was confused as like you we dont get it.I loved Tony Abbotts aspirations for us all. Middle class welfare!! <br />I do feel sorry for all us middle class people. I'm currently trying to decide between an iphone or an ipad. Its pretty tough. I only wish I qualified for some welfare to pay for itSoniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02129398639035921852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434369190746987531.post-32986138048078195332011-05-11T20:57:26.705+10:002011-05-11T20:57:26.705+10:00As usual Grog, excellent piece. Would you be surpr...As usual Grog, excellent piece. Would you be surprise that the fastest growing category of personal bankrupts is in the professional and semiprofessional bracket.Space Kidettenoreply@blogger.com