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.

[boris1gary]

and here is just some of what the fat cat's have recommended

http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/pensioners-health-family-payments-face-cuts...

Pensioners, health, family payments face cuts under Abbott government's Commission of Audit report

States would have the power to levy income tax, all patients would  pay $15 co-payments to visit a doctor, everyone would pay more for medicines, and family payments would be slashed under a sweeping set of measures recommended by the Abbott government’s Commission of Audit.

Pensioners would also be hit hard, with the benchmark payments gradually reduced over time to 28 per cent of average weekly earnings, eligibility for the pension tightened and part of the family home considered in an assets test as the pension age rises to 70 by 2050.

University students would pay more for their degrees and start paying back their loans sooner, while schools would become the sole responsibility of the states with the Commonwealth education department wound back.

Released by the government on Thursday afternoon, the commission's report warns of a nightmare “business as usual” scenario that would see 16 consecutive budget deficits handed down through to 2023-24. The commission's report details 86 at times radical recommendations to federal government.

The commission’s alternative “reform scenario” would slash Commonwealth spending in 15 key areas, would sell key assets and would abolish or wind back a slew of government agencies.

More to come

[debra9275]

the commission of audit is having a few things to say today

[boris1gary]

http://www.theage.com.au/national/public-service/commission-of-audit-recommends-public-service-job-c...

Commission of Audit recommends public service job cuts, mergers

In addition, the report said all agencies should review programs to find which could be merged or scrapped in the lead up to the 2015-16 federal budget.

Programs to be scrapped

The suggested programs to scrap were:

The Department of Social Services $104 million Financial Management Program

The Department of Industry's Clean Technology Programs worth $78 million and $9.9 million Automotive New Markets Initiative.

The Department of Infrastructure's $29 million Community Infrastructure Grants Program

The Australian Research Council's $20.3 million Industrial Transformation Research Program.

The Attorney-General's Department International Film Incentive Payments worth $20 million and its $19 million National Crime Prevention Fund.

Tourism Australia's Industry Regional Development Fund.

The Department of Education's $9.8 million Improving Education Outcomes, its $5.6 million School Education Reforms

Implementation program worth $7.8 million and its Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership program worth $5.5 million.

The Department of Environment's $7.8 million Australian Climate Change Science Program.

The Defence Materiel Organisation's Skilling Australia Defence Industry Program worth $5.3 million

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet's National Congress of Australia's First People Congress, which would free up $5 million.

[boris1gary]

The report also recommended:

Abolishing the Defence Services Homes Insurance Scheme.

Assessing the potential of outsourcing the Defence Science and Technology Organisation.

Consolidating part of the Australian Government Solicitor's Office of General Counsel into the Attorney General's Department and investigating the possibility of winding up the rest of the entity and selling its client book.

Rolling audits of audits by the Department of Finance or an independent panel – and the Commission said the Defence Department – which is already under the spotlight from a range audits – should be the first.

[boris1gary]

Who is this gang of five -

But what exactly is the National Commission of Audit and who makes up this powerful razor gang of five?  

The National Commission of Audit was officially announced by Treasurer Joe Hockey, and Finance Minister Senator Mathias Cormann, on October 22, 2013.

The Commission – a “razor gang” assembled by the government to look at the budget and identify waste, duplication and advise on tough spending decisions – is led by Tony Shepherd, former Business Council of Australia president and chairman of Transfield Services.

Mr Shepherd's appointment was seen as being particularly controversial because as head of the BCA he had been critical of the previous Labor government policies such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the Gonski schools funding reforms.

His appointment was also questioned because of his links to companies that had benefited from government contracts.

Mr Shepherd stepped down as chairman of Transfield Services upon his elevation to the Commission of Audit. Transfield, a construction and services firm, won a string of contracts in recent years worth hundreds of millions of dollars, including the contract for maintenance and support services at the Nauru detention centre.

The other commissioners are former senator and minister in the Howard government, Amanda Vanstone, and three Canberra mandarins, former senior public servants Peter Boxall, Tony Cole and Robert Fisher.

[debra9275]

Lol, it sounds impressive until you see who it is

[boris1gary]

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@debra9275 wrote:
Lol, it sounds impressive until you see who it is

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yes 5 of their mates, some of whom will probably profit from some of the "recommendations".

[nero_bolt]

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[boris1gary]

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@nero_wulf wrote:

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well said.

[boris1gary]

some more from the audit....

Aged and superannuation

Tighter testing on the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card by adding deemed income from tax-free superannuation to income test.

Extending the preservation age (currently 55 years going to 60) to 62 by 2027.

Then tying the superannuation preservation age (at which you can access) to five years below the aged pension.

Who it will hit

People 49 and under seeking to access superannuation by 2027.

Pensions and NDIS

Income test for Carers Allowance, limit Carers Payment to those whose work capacity is affected by carers responsibilities and limit one carer supplement payment per carer per year.

Tighten disability assessment and participation criteria for disability support pension, particularly those under 35 with some work capacity.

Impose sustainability on NDIS by slowing down the phase in, even though it will require re-negotiation with the states.

Amend NDIS governance by creating a prescribed agency with chief executive officer.

Impose contracting arrangements in disability services to force competition in NDIS.

Who it will hit

All disabled people, carers

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

Co-payments for all medicines.

A new independent authority to oversee all listings.

Open pharmacies to competition.

Who it will hit

Everyone who buys medication.