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.

[cherry*135]

[polksaladallie]

Today's theme is OS holidays.

I know about OS clothing, os p e n i s (baculum) etc, but not holidays.

[cherry*135]

Backpackers on working holidays will lose their tax-free thresholds of $18,200 and have to pay tax on every dollar they earn in a move that saves $540 million.

Very harsh. Tax rates starting at 32.5 cents per $ earned.  What do foreign seasonal fruit pickers earn? About $3.50 an hour? 

Targeting those that aren't eligible to vote.

[cherry*135]

[debra9275]

so here we are, some 18 months later under the abbott govt.

we have a poor economy... as they destroyed it last year by talking it down...... scared people into not spending their money, which caused businesses to close or contract. lost jobs.... resulting in high unemployment

Interest rates slashed to the lowest ever in Aust. history ( 2%, not much room to move there) and still hasn't stimulated the economy

Budget 2015 uses part of Swans GFC stimulus package ( that was bagged by the LNP during the GFC)

and a very high deficit ( not the surplus they kept promising)

I do hope it does create some growth in small businesses, but then what about these projected (made up) growth and unemployment figures??  You can't base the future on ässumptions" very risky imo

If the narrative stretches credulity, so too do the budget forecasts of higher-than-expected growth and lower-than-expected unemployment, driven party by lower energy prices and interest rates, and a return to an underlying cash surplus in 2019-20.

[debra9275]

I think that's a bit rough on backpackers ( but they aren't voters, so it makes sense the abbott govt would penalize them)

I know a Japanese girl here at the moment, who has to go to a regional area for 3 months I think it is... fruit picking and construction work are two of the things she said she was allowed to do as part of her visa arrangement.  These people still need to make enough money to be able to live

[cherry*135]

Yes, it will make more 'cash in hand' payments for wages, the advantage to that is mainly for employers,by paying less than award wage rates ( under new rules employers will have to deduct/withold tax for every $ earnt by foreign workers, more paper work for them). Either way the worker looses.

There are groups of people who come to Australia for seasonal work (e.g. from Fiji) to work and earn (more than they could in their own country) and be able to send money home to their family. May not be so attractive to them anymore.

[cherry*135]

I do hope it does create some growth in small businesses

Yes, that would be good. Although for small businesses that aren't incorporated their new reduction of tax due (up to $1000 p.a.) is hardly going to make any difference... certainly not enough to take on more staff or make much difference if they 'invest it back in their business' as the Govt suggests.

The example I posted earlier (from The Budget doc) was for a farmer. $300,000 annual turnover, $75 000 taxable income... benefit to them under new law was $800 p.a.

[polksaladallie]

Is the PM trying to be trendy with his new hairstyle?  Like this?

        

Or fighting a losing battle with baldness?

Whatever, it looks strange.

[debra9275]

David Beckham is much better looking, but yes, I noticed what you did, a bit one sided you could say, 🙂