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

I like David's ideas It is really time governments started to hit the mega wealthy, collect outstanding tax from thaw people also, instead of always hitting on the poor. If the wealthy paid proper rates it would be a much fairer system. 

Time these politicians got their heads out of the sand (including Short Bill and Chris Bowen (who doesn't have a clue but denies there is ever any problems ) ...Not for him, but for the rest of us who do not matter ....From one who managed to work until 70 it is not easy especially if you work in a physically hard job and you need to scale down to a shorter week . Rudd and Gillard (whose Super should be subject to the same Rules as the rest of the Nation) let refugees into this country (without adequate checks) ( sure we should take refugees, but with their action we now have a lot that will never work and flog the welfare system for all they can get. It annoys those who have worked hard , paid their taxes , saved and scrimped to obtain housing for their families. Wake up Australia before we become the Greece of the Pacific 

If the multinationals paid their fair share of tax. There would be no deficit. The political talent is that poor in this country, who do you vote for. Nothing ever changes, when the pollies stuff up ,they steal off the working man. Bill Qld 

I have no problem doing my share of heavy lifting. However, parliamentarians need to do likewise. Their ongoing perks are ridiculous! What other employee is paid indefinitely by their employer upon moving on? Unfortunately, I'm in that group of women to whom superannuation was not available when we began our working life, Nor did I receive government support when I was raising my children, (other than $10 for all three in Child Endowment. I can't remember whether that was a monthly or fortnightly payment). We have always paid our way, sometimes under very difficult circumstances. We supported all of our children through university, and whilst they were searching for employment. Somehow we were never eligible for any of the grants that came and went. I resent being considered a drain on the community, as I am eligible for both the pension and health card, but do not claim either. And I know others like me. An increase in GST would alter our position drastically. The government needs to look at all the facts with regard to all welfare payments, not just Aged Pensions. They also need to look at their own benefits before altering the rules regarding what little superannuation working people manage to scrape together. 

I agree with Mary from QLD. Parlimentarians should be put under the microscope and adhere to the policies they agree to in terms of superannuation and perks. Why should they be a group unto themselves. While on that topic where is the democracy when they allocate pay rises to themselves. This should be determined by the voting public. On the subject of Super, the party in government should have no control over the money we have saved over a lifetime. So I agree with Jeff Kennett on this one. 

I recently sent the following suggestion by e-mail to Tony Abbott and Joe Hocking but have not received a response - I would be interested to see if those in the 50 up club agree with the ideas. Dear Mr. Abbott, I know your minders will read this so you may not see it but I hope you do as everyone I have run the idea past thinks it's brilliant. At 65/67 years of age whatever the case may be give potential retirees a "gap" year on full eligible pension entitlements. This gives them a year to do or consider the following: Take that long planned trip over seas or join the grey army around Australia whilst they are still fit and healthy Let's them assess whether or not they can live off the pension Gives them the opportunity of finding out whether or not they get bored if they don't work. This would need the co-operation of their employers to keep their job open for them when they return to work but employers would find it beneficial as a year off is rejuvenating and makes them productive contributors when they return satisfied that they had done in retirement what they wanted to do. A lot of my friends found once they had done their travels retirement was boring - especially the men as they did not know what to do with themselves - there is only so much gardening, going to the pictures or lunches or coffees you can do. There are of course others who found interests and wondered how they ever found time to go to work. I sincerely hope this idea will be given you careful consideration. I shall sending a copy of this e-mail to Jo Hocking and the media. We have a problem in this country with governments not listening to the people at the moment and this needs to change. Marlous Mol-Clement Victoria 

Instead of worrying about those at the lowest levels as has always been the case, how's about doing what really got Kevin Rudd kicked out (and Gough Whitlam and other predecessors) and that was to try to get the Mining gazillionaires to participate. Apart from worrying about some poor buggar having $100,000 and owning their own home, what about those with millions - and their own mansions - who are for some reason able to claim benefits and pay minimal tax. What the poor old Aussie has trouble picturing (as well as our low level media folk who are told how to comment) is that the difference between a hundred thousand dollars and a million is vastly different as is that between a million and a billion. What actually did my father's father who fought at Gallipoli, his brother who died in France and my mother's father who helped save Australia at Kokoda actually save us from. The wealthy continue to get wealthier - fine, but at the cost of the very people who helped get them there. Goods get produced overseas at ridiculously decreased cost, but here the prices aren't reduced ( eg Bonds). These businesses get more income but create a situation where workers here are then laid off so the collection of taxation is then reduced. This gets us on a dangerous roundabout because we're too dizzy to work out a solution. The Government (whichever) is too afraid to admit where the real problem lies lest they meet the same fate as Rudd, Whitlam etc. Thanks for trying and take care. 

Thanks for your comment....very true! 

I did the survey, but as 75 year old on the pension but able to draw a moderate top-up from my super , some of the questions were not relevant. Luckily I was employed till I was 71 in an administration position and for the last five years was receiving 12% instead of 9% on my super. I am single and do not own my own home but am able to receive pensioner rent allowance. As Mary from Qld commented, I too get mad as hell that former PMs get all those perks via the tax payer, they would all be very well off anyway. 

i agree withCHRISTOPHER FROM QLD. JACK FROM NSW.