What are the good things

[*crikey*mate*]

that the current government have done during their term in office?

[lakeland27]

considering it was a compensatory rise against the CO2 tax it is not really a rise until the CO2 tax is removed... 

they raised it well before that , they raised it after years of howard not raising it . how long eludes me, but no raises in howards entire term if i remember correctly.

no contest on that one.

[polksaladallie]

raised the pension just a tad?

By $5,000   OK by me.

[*crikey*mate*]

Well that's good.

We've had an increase in the Pension (all pensions, or just the aged pension, though that in itself is good - not complaining)

and we've had an increase in the minimum tax free threshold of $12,200 p/a.

[*crikey*mate*]

That increase in the minimum tax free threshold means individuals on an income of $37,000 p/a get an extra $1078 a year than they did in the 2011/2012 Tax Year. (was $4,650 then) so an extra $20.73 a week.

[*crikey*mate*]

oops missed some figures out up there ^^^

In the 2011/2012 Tax Year, a person earning $37,000 p/a paid $4,650 in tax (not including the 1.5% medicare levy)

In the 2012/2013 Tax Year, a person earning $37,000 p/a pays $3,572 in tax (not including the 1.5% medicare levy)

[twinkles**stars]

pensions up $5000?

[cueperkins]

oops missed some figures out up there ^^^

In the 2011/2012 Tax Year, a person earning $37,000 p/a paid $4,650 in tax (not including the 1.5% medicare levy)

In the 2012/2013 Tax Year, a person earning $37,000 p/a pays $3,572 in tax (not including the 1.5% medicare levy)

So, what makes you think everyone is earning that much?  In many rural areas, they'd be lucky to break 20,000 in casual/part time work because that's all there is.  They're called 'The Working Poor' = not enough work to go around, but they don't qualify for the dole. 

What this means is that those people can earn up to 18,200 without paying any tax, vs $6000.00.  I don't consider that anything but generous for struggling Rural Aussies. 

If this new budget allows the unemployed to earn more before being penalised, THAT TOO, would go a hell of a long way to helping Rural Oz.  It's not all about people who live in Western Sydney, but you'd be forgiven for thinking it was. 

[topsidesoul]

Sorry to both Aboriginals and those  Australians who had forced adoptions.

GFC stimulus, but since then not so good

dental reform

Plain packaging (depends if you smoke or not)

$1.5 billion to mental health

Iraq withdrawl

NBN (we do not drive on roads  from the 1920's)

abolishing workchoices

Creating a workplace ombudsman who has repaid workers  into the 100's of thousands.

River murray policy that was started by the Liberal aprty.

[izabsmiling]

Introduction of a Flood Levy to help with reconstruction following 2010-2011 Queensland Floods

[izabsmiling]

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

Education reforms

Disability Care