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]

http://theconversation.com/nbn-cost-benefit-suits-abbotts-video-entertainment-system-30958

More than a ‘video entertainment system’

But the reality is the way we all use the internet now is very different to what it was 10 years ago – and it will be very different again in another 10 years – and this is very hard to envisage and even harder to value.

Could the study have done anything different? Maybe not, but it’s important to recognise that any estimates constrained by current perspectives as to use are almost certainly going to be conservative. It should also be noted that sensitivities to the assumptions used (greater take-up rates) support the MTM scenario even further.

But to me, for all of this, a critical factor is the smallness of the public benefits concluded as being present, estimated at 6% of the total benefit - relative to private benefit at 94% - mainly linked to private use for entertainment purposes.

Again maybe this finding is not such a surprise given Tony Abbott had a number of years ago described the NBN as a white elephant, and a “video entertainment system”.

The low benefit outcome in the study is in large part due to the reviewers ignoring any social benefits that are not dependent on household or business connections (many of the identified public benefits fall within the government sphere) and further ignores benefits that will not differ between the identified scenarios.

This effectively means the public benefits of an effective high speed broadband infrastructure are largely underestimated. It should be clearly noted that there are many studies that support much higher estimates of public and social benefit. The study could also at least reference the academic literature that concludes widespread adoption of broadband has been strongly linked to economic growth and social well-being and especially so for regional communities.

[cherry*135]

Tony Abbott cannot escape Joe Hockeys budget

29 August

..But a treasurer should be able to expect the support of his most important constituent, his prime minister.

The Opposition's manager of business in the House, Tony Burke, on Friday sent this message in Labor's weekly report to its supporters: "There wouldn't be many occasions in living memory when a Prime Minister was asked to defend his Treasurer in Question Time and sat silent. That said it all about this Prime Minister who doesn't want to be near his Treasurer or his Budget. That stood apart from everything else this week."

It was a poor showing. Bill Shorten threw this challenge to Abbott in the House on Wednesday: "Is the only reason the Prime Minister is holding on to this hopeless and incompetent Treasurer to make him a human shield for this unfair budget? Isn't it time for the Prime Minister to either dump his Treasurer or dump the budget?"

Labor had been baiting Hockey for two days. It was an opportunity for Abbott to defend his treasurer. He didn't take it.

The Speaker, Bronwyn Bishop, gave Abbott an out: "It is technically, I think, out of order," as a piece of rhetoric not an exercise in seeking facts, "but if anyone wishes to address it they may." 

Abbott took the out rather than the opportunity. He shook his head and stayed in his seat. Shorten clapped his hands and whooped with glee.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/tony-abbott-cannot-escape-joe-hockeys-budget-20140829-10a4nt.html#ixzz...

[boris1gary]

Higher uni fees a threat to future growth, warns Engineers Australia

Australia's future growth is under threat from proposed changes to university fees, Engineers Australia has warned.

Too few young people have been graduating from engineering courses and entering the profession in recent years and predictions of rises in course costs would only act as a deterrent, Engineers Australia chief executive officer Stephen Durkin said.

"We are already in a precarious situation with our capacity to deliver infrastructure and in the future Australia will need even more engineers to plan, design, deliver and maintain our infrastructure needs," he said.

"Any changes which discourage students from studying engineering threaten Australia's ability to grow as a nation."

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/higher-uni-fees-a-threat-to-future-growth-warns-engineers-a...

Christopher Pyne's higher education plans won't fly, and shouldn't

Our nation is in a strong position. Sure, we have structural problems with inequality, climate change, indigenous disadvantage and the level of public infrastructure investment lagging well behind our rapid population growth. But we don't have a 'budget emergency' , we simply need to unwind the massive tax cuts and tax loopholes that John Howard left us with. An equitable tax system, like a merit-based education system that is accessible to all, is a far better outcome than loading young people with massive debt that can be paid by only the rich.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/christopher-pynes-higher-education-plans-wont-fly-and-shouldnt-2014082...

[fourandsixpants]

I agree with your post K&J you ended your comment with:

.... The study could also at least reference the academic literature that concludes widespread adoption of broadband has been strongly linked to economic growth and social well-being and especially so for regional communities

.....Abbott and cronies are doing as their puppet masters bid them....stripping us bare of any chance to prosper in the near and far future.

Culling jobs, instead of promoting jobs for Australians-especially youth

Economists are predicting that increasing to severe unemployment will CRASH our 'propped up' by Significant Foreign Investment Visa schemes and the like should be closed down or at least monitored, policed and HEAVY PENALTIES APPLIED FOR BREACHES THAT CAN BE APPLIED - R/E agents and Legals and Banksters encouraging breaches by these foreign investors should be HEAVILY PENALISED......BUT apparently this is what is HOLDING up our economy atm!! LOL not.....and our Australians are being forced to endure MASSIVE OVER-INFLATED PROPERTY PRICES!

Closing Australian based manufacturing instead of encouraging it

Refusing to invest in Renewable Energy.

IMO Abbott and puppet masters are aiming to deliberately cause a recession through increased unemployment and over-inflated property prices.

Something is going to go 'POP'and our Australian economy crash IMO

..........in the very near future.

So, .....getting back to the Australian standards and quality of the internet being provided???

IMO we are being told in no uncertain terms:

.................................."GOT AN ISSUE?....GET A TISSUE!"

this moronic Govt has an AGENDA....and they are workin' their Agenda....apparently a great internet is not in their Agenda.

[***super_nova***]

[cherry*135]

$7 GP co-payment goes to a future Medical Research fund. I don't know why Govt says it is needed for budget measures. Although if it puts people off going to bulk bill Dr's then the Govt saves money that way, initially. (Not if sick people remain untreated by a GP and end up in hospital).

[fourandsixpants]

I do believe that the term "Future Medical Research Fund' is pharmaceutical Company 'speak' for

'Our Bank Account Cheers!'

[cherry*135]

I think so too.

If the $7 went to improving health services I don't think there would be so much opposition to it.

We have a new (only bulk bill clinic) in town. Not a low socio-economic area. Also the after hours bulk bill home doctor service has been extended into our area.
That will mean more people using bulk bill services than before. $7 fee or not, still going to cost the Govt more.

Surprised the Govt would let a bulk bill clinic open in an areas with high incomes.

[fourandsixpants]

ref If the $7 went to improving health services I don't think there would be so much opposition to it.

No. I am against the $7 being charged in the first place....sets a precedent $7 today....

.......$how much tomorrow?

It's not about the amount it is about the legislation being peddled-gives them another avenue to slam dunk.

Beginning of the end to our free Health Care system IMO

[fourandsixpants]

http://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2014/09/more-reports-of-foreign-buyers-side-stepping-firb/

Why not get a list of all the people who work at FIRB, or I should say the senior managers, find their address details and allow the general public to take their complaints directly to where they live.

I think this is in fact the only way because it’s clear you have a broken government that is willing to sell out local people so a few cashed up rich people can get advantage.

It’s also clear that some of those real-state agents are knowingly selling property to people who don’t have a right to buy in Australia and maybe are breaking the law.

Why would the govt and banks want to enforce these rules at all.

Buyers paying 20 to 30 % extra for medium price properties up is 20% more RE commission, 20% more stamp duty, and the seller then spends that on their next place.

Competing locals get 20% more mortgage, and 20% more interest paid to the big banks.

Its win win win for the big end of town.

Bad luck FHBs (first home buyers).