Time to give the over 50's a voice in budget debates on tax, retirement and work

Joe hockeys announcement that the falling iron ore price has created a huge reduction taxes that effects the budget .... this says to me we rely too much on mining with its booms and busts. The money from the last boom should have gone into a sovereign wealth fund or a development bank to reinvest back into the country that will be australian owned participially such as job creating manufacturing that would export a higher value product. Instead the previous government gave it away to stimulate the economy which was spent, more than likely on imported goods anyway. We should have diversified years ago as a fall back but we have lost it. Now they are trying to restore the budget revenue by cutting spending (in some areas i agree in particular government waste) and taxing the living daylights out of everyone. BY increasing taxes only takes money out of peoples pockets , increases costs and leaving less to spend which effects the economy anyway. Negative gearing is non productive as a house can be bought and sold any number of times and used as a tax deductible vehicle each time costing the taxpayer billions . the diesel excise rebate to mining is costing billions who is subsiding who here . Politicians super is different to everybody else's this should be bought into line. as well as some of their perks, and this list goes on. 

Agree with Kevin & Nixon from Queensland. It is time now that politicians wake up and really do what is expected of them by leading by example if they think is good for us they should do it first: pay GST; not get their super earlier; work until 70 if they can. Can anyone say they can live up to 80?. They should not be able to get their super if they are going to get another job. the rest of the hard working public servants are treated as second class. Agree completely that they should not be paid by the taxpayer for the rest of their lives, and definately no more extra perks, we demand that they fall in line with the rest of us. We would like to know who in the next election who will be willing to really go for the good of the country, and not for the good of themselves. 

I am 57 yo and looking constantly for work. My interviews have been with much younger women and I feel this goes against me despite my extensive experience across sectors in small business / retail. How do we find someone to take us for our value and not because we are "of the moment" ! !!! 

I am 73 and still working part time in the aboriginal remote communities and LOVE every minute. I am planning to continue working till I am 80 and can find jobs in aboriginal isolated communities while I have my good health. 

politicians MUST be assessed and subject under the same rules as the rest of the population and former politicians should not have offices and staff paid by the taxpayer, even if they do no paid work. Most have outside income anyway. 

It is disgusting that the Government continually attacks the soft target of retirees for additional revenue. The majority of us have worked damned hard for 45 years or more and continually paid our taxes. It is time the Government stopped being so over generous with tax payers dollars. For example, the excess of overseas aid to countries such as Indonesia, Cambodia and some African nations who are wealthy in their own right, but who through corrupt officials/ leaders cause the populous of those countries to be poor. Why are we spending multi billions on sending our armed forces to fight worthless wars overseas. Do you think they would come to our aid if we were being invaded - not on your life!! Have we made any improvement in Afghanistan, short term yes but in the long term NO! Whilst obesity is a major problem, it preposterous that the surgeons are proposing the Government provide free stomach band surgery for these people. Ensure each person is on a diet, doing exercise gets rid of their costly phones. Double or triple the GST on fast foods, sugary soft drinks, the major cause of obesity in this country. The Politicians in all parties need to work for their high wages by attending to the countries debt problem and stop nurturing their egos. Start taxing the overseas based companies such as Google who have been evading Australian taxation. Start taxing the pseudo Australian residents (namely the thousands of Chinese millionaires who spend a few months of the year in this country usually have children in our free schools but spend most of their time in Asia) where they have another residence and operate successful businesses overseas where they pay minimal tax. 

I think all politicians should be treated just like us who pay their wages, when they retire or when they are sacked (loose their seats) they are on their own. If they haven't provided for their future then that is their fault, and just like us, apply for the aged pension. if they are too young then get a job. What's so different that they should be paid by the taxpayer for the rest of their lives, and some with extra perks, disgraceful. It's about time we stood up and demanded that they fall into line. Most politicians don't go into politics for the good of the country, they go for the good of themselves, and if they think they are not paid enough for what they do then go outside and find a better paying job, the door is open. Most would find they are not good enough to get any job paying more or even as much as what they are getting in politics Kevin from Queensland 

What is needed is a comprehensive review of the tax system with no one item considered in isolation. Therefore, most questions are irrelevant if not put in that context. The problem with the Australian political system is that we have a 'what's in it for me attitude' and not 'what's best for the country. The politicans cater to this unfortunate mentality. We need leaders who have the courage to do what is right for Australia. 

Great Work Christopher. By the way, I'm almost 81 - beyond the scope of some questions! 

Why is stamp duty +GST added to insurance policies.