Politicians are both out-of-touch and spend too much of our money on entitlements

It’s become the angry corner of the Fair Go For the FiftyUps campaign with many respondents spitting chips at what they see as the ultimate hypocrisy and unfair go.

The target of their contempt isn’t power companies or banks but politicians they feel are riding the high hog in Canberra while passing judgement over their financial futures.

Every day brings more fuel to the fire with stories of excessive overseas business class travel, charter flights and office and entertaining ‘expenses’.

One NSW Liberal MP John Sidoti is seeking to reinstate an even more generous super parliamentary scheme. The existing one already costs $25 million a year.

One campaign member John spoke for many ‘Politicians need to give some leadership and lead by example...no special rules for politicians on cost of living issues like superannuation rules.’

At the very same time we hear more policy wonks suggesting the family home should be included in the pension assets tests, more calls for a review of retirement incomes and superannuation tax breaks

We asked you, and so far more than 12,000 have been good enough to answer, a series of questions about what cost of living pressures hurt most and why.

There’s still another two weeks to go so if you haven’t please take a few minutes to add your voice to the many valuable contributions which we shall proudly deliver to Canberra.

The preliminary results suggest some pollies have some explaining to do if they claim to represent your best interests as opposed to their own or that of their party.

When asked do you think politicians understand cost of living pressures felt by the over-50s 90% answered a big ‘NO, they are out of touch’.

The next largest response was from 8% who reckoned ‘Yes but there’s not much they can do about it’.

When asked which single policy was the most important to your financial situation a resounding 44% went for the family home remaining exempt from the pension assets test.

The next largest sector was the 17% who nominated no changes to the taxation of superannuation. And as we’ve seen both policies are seriously being questioned by those with the resolve to keep pushing for change.

The simple message from you so far: the politicians making important decisions about all of our lives are both out-of-touch and spend too much of our money to entitlements such as travel.

 Judging by her post if Glenda from NSW was to join us in Canberra, and we hope some campaign members can, she’d let fly with both barrels;  ‘I hope Fair Go for the FiftyUp Campaign will fight on the grounds that a rule for one is a rule for all that includes politicians also. What makes them think that they are a cut above the rest - that they can take from us the retirees, and not apply the same ruling to themselves?’

It’s a simple question from which it’s hard to get a straight answer. Why should older Australians be asked to tighten their belts when it appears far too often those making the decision need to loosen theirs?

Check out these comments from your peers in the Fifty Up Club and add some of your own;

Robert, NSW - Politicians should have the same rules and regulations as the general public when it comes to superannuation and the likes. These people are being paid by the public so why should they have different rules to the public at large. Entitlements rules for politicians should also be scrapped completely, no more study trips, if invited to a function let the cost be paid by the organiser.

Barry, VICTORIA - Politicians need to look in other areas for savings , perhaps their own backyards and leave and alone the people who have worked hard and provided for their retiring years. 

If you would like a more active role in this campaign, email us and let us know. We may gather a group of keen participants to join us in Canberra when we present the submission. You may also leave your comments below;