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

Sorry Walter BUT, we are in this somewhat critical financial situation due to the previous government spending willy nilly and blowing the billions that came into their control under K. Rudd. Any efforts by the present government to endeavour to reign in the debt are being thwarted by the madly hysterical Senate. But go back further, if the unions hadn't been pushing so hard for ridiculous pay and conditions and flogging the dead horse employers, there would more than likely be far more industries and businesses thriving in this beautiful country, instead, they've either had to shut up shop or go offshore to compete with overseas industry and businesses. Regarding your reference to public servants, it's high time the dead wood of the public servant sector were shown the door, too many fat cats on disgustingly high wages are helping bleed the cash trough dry, along with huge departments full of non working nest builders, created under Rudd and Gillard for the climate change departments, massive personal staff for ministers, etc. Let them get re-trained as we the working class have had to, so they know what it's like to work in the real world. 

There have been too many alterations to retirees over the years. In the past retirees were entitled to place their funds into complying pensions which did not go towards the assets test. It was reduced to 50% and eventually phased out. Those who worked on to an older age and saved funds could not avail themselves of this concession. Some ex-public servants are receiving part government aged pensions as well as a government funded defined pension which required the government to provide funding but the funds required are not included in the "assets test". Ex politicians come into this category. The government could save funds by disbanding the "futures fund" . Because of the assets test, there is no encouragement for the community to save for their retirement, but encourages them to spend their money wastefully during their lifetime and rely on the pension. The commonwealth seniors health card is not being treated as a concession card and therefore the holders are discriminated against in favour of the "part-time pension holder". 

All of the focus is on the ageing population....they are an easy target for the young and greedy......... When is the debate going to be directed to the unpopular truth that loss of jobs caused by the abandonment of manufacturing and political focus on sacking public servants, adding them to the unemployed and un-employable........but this would put the blame squarely on them wouldn't it.......not a popular option for them as it shows them up as being incompetent an that both parties have totally mishandled the Australian economy and are looking for the aging population as a scape goat to bail them out.......shame on them all and the university lecturers who taught them...... 

Start leveling the playing field with Big buisness paying there fair share of tax .Stop the offshore transfer of profits untill, tax paid here.Also start supporting Australian Buisness Eg instead of sending fat cheques to overseas charitys start spending money here in Australia on local food ,meat ,supplys equipment supplies and needs .That way money stays here and benifits farmers,manufacters,industrie,Look after our economy Also put a percentage local content on tenders to protect jobs and Aussie Small Buisness Also the world is staving why arn't we growing more food crops and exporting more food ? We have pristine land and lots of it but farmers are walking off land ? Unlike China who think 50-100 years ahead our pollies only look to next election /term .I think we need to look after us not be so worried what everyone else in the world thinks ,listen & take on board . Give small buisness incentive to grow not stiffle them with taxs and paperwork If every small buisness put on 1 employee or apprentise the employment rate would drop by a massive amount ! Risk reward !!!! 

A lot of people have worked hard to have money for their retirement and governments always take the easy option of going after older people. They waste so much money on welfare, some is necessary but some is just ridiculous. They take the option of vote-getting for policies, do they not realize they will be older one day. 

At 78 I am still willing and able to work in engineering but sense that age is an impediment to acceptance. Perhaps more could be made of mentoring the young as NO AMOUNT of theory can replace a combination o theory and practice, in fact theory should be introduced gradually as the work demands it. I learnt too much theory which has NEVER been needed since engineering practices change with time (fundamentals only remain relatively the same) 

I disagree with Peter from Qld, most people are quite capable of working beyond 65, ideal part time, employers should be more willing to look at this aspect and both would gain, one from an experienced employee the the other assisting the country and not relying on a pension. I worked until 75 1/2 and am much better for it, left work when I considered it was time, that was 4 years ago. My last position I commenced at age 68 and in a totally new field. Regarding politicians, their superannuation should be the same rules as the general public - they are not special. Margaret NSW 

Not everyone can work over 65 years as it depends on the work you do, or if your body could sustain it. We all start to degenerate as we get older and surely we are entitled to some relaxation after paying tax for so many years. 

I'd like to know why a single disability male has been waiting for fifteen years four on priority for public housing. I'm now fifty four living in a room with my dog at my parents home. 

How about the politicians get the same super as everyone else and no perks when they retire .They should not get any extra after retirement just the same as every other ordinary Australian. I f we have to cut back the spending because of a budget deficit it should include past and present politicians perks being stopped. It used to be seen as a privilege for people to become statesmen sorry to say for many years they just feather their own nests.