Diary of our stinking Govt.

[boris1gary]

As it's more than 100 days now, it has been suggested that a new thread was needed.  The current govt has been breaking promises and telling lies at a rate so fast it's hard to keep up.

This below is worrying, "independent" pffft, as if your own doctor is somehow what? biased, it's ridiculous. So far there is talk of only including people under a certain age 30-35, for now. Remember that if your injured in a car, injured at work or get ill, you too might need to go on the DSP. They have done a similar think in the UK with devastating consequences.

and this is the 2nd time recently where the Govt has referred to work as welfare???? So when you go to work tomorrow (or tuesday), just remember that's welfare.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-20/disability-pensioners-may-be-reassessed-kevin-andrews/5400598

Independent doctors could be called in to reassess disability pensioners, Federal Government says

The Federal Government is considering using independent doctors to examine disability pensioners and assess whether they should continue to receive payments.

Currently family doctors provide reports supporting claims for the Disability Support Pension (DSP).

But Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews is considering a measure that would see independent doctors reassess eligibility.

"We are concerned that where people can work, the best form of welfare is work," Mr Andrews said at a press conference.

[karliandjacko]

next time he gets on a plane let's hope he pulls and tugs on the lever that says emergency exit and takes the window out followed by the seat he's sitting on.

[fiestas*girl]

AM, its more of something else he is full of, and it aint 'hot air'

[boris1gary]

and who can forget the constant drone of the LNP class warriors while in opposition...they seem to have no concept of forward planning, you reap what you sow and all that.

"It's all very good for Kevin Rudd to be solving the problems of the world. What about the problems of Australia?" Mr Abbott asked in 2009.

Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop accused Mr Rudd of harbouring an "obsession with chasing the global limelight". 

"Kevin Rudd loves a crisis to give him an excuse to run to the airport and jump on a 747 and go off and do photo ops with [then British prime minister] Gordon Brown and Barack Obama," Mr Abbott said.

"I accept that Australia's voice should be heard in the councils of the world, but it would be nice to hear the prime minister's voice at home occasionally."

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-set-to-equal-kevin-747s-flying-rec...

[cherry*135]

You are right, fiesta 

[boris1gary]

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/26/the-maths-on-university-fees-are-in-its-checkma...

The verdict on university fees is in: it's checkmate for Christopher Pyne

If the education minister went to university under his own deregulated system, he would be paying off his debts until the age of 64. Who would willingly sign up for such a scheme?

Christopher Pyne is grumpy and irritable. The born to rule Tory is having a tantrum now that the senate will not let him deregulate the universities – something the Abbott government never got a mandate for. He claims students should “get some perspective” as the government is not “asking for their left kidney.”

Well, here’s some perspective.

If Pyne went to university under his deregulated system, he would be paying off HECS debts until the age of 64. This is not to mention how much harder a life would be to save for that ever more unaffordable house deposit and then somehow pay off that mortgage. And that’s before considering having children and the ballooning costs associated with raising them. What the minister is effectively asking those about to enter university is to indenture themselves into a life of debt. To rub salt in the wound, Pyne and Abbott never paid a cent for their degrees upfront.

Fortunately, a group of mathematicians from the ANU’s Mathematical Sciences Institute built a model that could help Pyne understand why what he is asking of student is beyond the pale. Let me walk me through the variables.

Pyne went to the University of Adelaide and studied law. The current cost for an international student who pays a deregulated price for a four year law degree is $31,500 annually. For domestic students at the currently deregulated non-Group of Eight Bond University, students pay $42,474 annually for three years.

[karliandjacko]

Are students whose families can afford to pay up front (those who don't needs HELP) still offered a 50% discount on their uni fees?

[fourandsixpants]

Pretty sure it is nowhere near that much of a discount.....much less I think. Nether-the-less I could not afford to pay up front for my son even if it was 50%.

For a 3yr degree we're talking nearly $40,000......and he plans to go on for a further 2 years and do his Masters.

These out-of-touch plebs in Canberra have NO IDEA! .....I mean I am helping my son with food and clothing as he goes,. He has been unable to get p/time work anyways, he is very good with his money am not grumbling just saying HOW THE HECK COULD WE PAY UP FRONT......

Oh yes!......forgot to check my back pocket. Idiot me!......then there's the loose few thosands in the bottom of my washing machine.......and the unused ashtray in my car used for loose $100 notes-packed in tight, of course.....bound to be a few grand rolling around in the glove box too......

...*rolls all three eyes skywards.......feels a Quango Attack coming on *PPPPFfffft!

[cherry*135]

---

@karliandjacko wrote:

Are students whose families can afford to pay up front (those who don't needs HELP) still offered a 50% discount on their uni fees?

---

It was about 10 or 20% about 7 years ago. I think it might be gone altogher now, or if it is still enforce it is so small not very attractive option.

[cherry*135]

 

Study Assist This website provides information to students about 
Australian Government assistance for financing tertiary study.

Can I pay off my debt sooner?

Yes. You can make a voluntary repayment to the ATO at any time and for any amount. Voluntary repayments are in addition to the compulsory repayments made through your tax return. If you make a voluntary repayment of $500 or more, you will receive a bonus of 5%.This means your account will be credited with an additional 5% of the value of your payment. The bonus is 5% of the payment amount, not 5% of the total debt.

http://studyassist.gov.au/sites/studyassist/payingbackmyloan/loan-repayment/pages/loan-repayment#Can...

[boris1gary]

Paints, they do have an idea, it's that only the wealthy, people of "calibre" should be able to go to uni.