Tax Cuts for retirees??????

Bit heavy for me Footie! I have a healthy disrespect for polies generally and can only assume that we are paying twice what their giving to us somewhere else.

The super angle is important for me right now. I'd hate to think that he has made it sssoooo attractive for me to have to stay in the workforce till 60!

Kind regards

I'm afraid that it looks that way to me.
And there are many more who are in the same boat.
I'm sure that is part of the grand scheme.

Have to sus out the transitional arrangements but I've got a couple of years to go before I turn 55. Some serious detective work needed to see if it is the real McCoy or just some bait to put the foot in a bear trap.

Kind regards

is early retirement going to leave this country with a shortage of skilled persons?

G'day No.1,

It is an interesting situation, this notion of that is good for the country must also be good for me. Was listning to SBS last night, a debate about the industrial reforms, the pollies were arguing it is needed and good for the country. Individuals were saying, but it doesn't work for me!

I would like to think that it isn't my plans for early retirement that is creating a skills shortage (I am probably the only thinking I have skills - delusional I know) but the lack of planning by our political electees in areas like training and apprentices etc that is to blame.

Anyway that is my excuse.

Kind regards

PS No.1 I doubt if the missus will let you have early retirement regardless of what Pete and his mates say you can do.

pps
your dead right there.

#1, Import them from China, and sack the aussie workers like that company in ballarat did yesterday.

Sounds like an electric 4by coming 'Loosie. How many solar panels can you get on the roof?

John, I'm no greenie. More of an environmentally aware type person, like most of us I guess.
I'd use BD in the Cruiser if it were availiable at an attractive price.
Wife was saving up for one of those half lectric half fuel thingies until she found out that the batteries needed replacing every few years at $6 grand a pop !
Where else in the world would we need to be in the red to go into the green I wonder ?

"Tax cuts etc don't seem to come in for a while...pre election ? "

1st of july they come in. Dont forget we have had a lifting of tax brackets last July and this coming also was being lifted top marginal from $$70k to $95k to $125k.

If you dont have shares, arent high or middle income earner or retiree, where do you fit in?

"Have we become a nation where the only thing we care about is how many dollars we can spend ? Are we hip pocket voters ? "
further into this thread you say you are green and will use biodiesel but only if it cost less. Isnt that a "hip pocket greeny"?

Instead of knocking how about laying out a budget here (or on a new thread) that people can pick to bits or applaud?

The ONLY way people will embrace new technology etc is when it becomes too expensive to use the old. Sad but true.

You're correct about the timing, I posted when details were sketchy..at least here.
"If you dont have shares, arent high or middle income earner or retiree, where do you fit in? "...depends on your income. I didn't say there was something for everyone (My name's not Peter.)
"further into this thread you say you are green and will use biodiesel but only if it cost less. Isnt that a "hip pocket greeny"?

Instead of knocking how about laying out a budget here (or on a new thread) that people can pick to bits or applaud?

Sure..just as soon as you provide me with
a) your taxable income figure
b) your philosophy on social equality or inequality and
c) your personal thoughts on the budget

:))))))))))))))))))

ahh, but thats the name of the game foot, not to just make me happy, but to make everyone happy!
And having a large family (5) and an upper income (blue collar) with only myself working means I am quite happy with it!

Give more tax cuts to the higher earners and slug the poor I reckon, so they have an incentive to get off their lazy arses :)))))))))

> Give more tax cuts to the higher earners and slug the poor I reckon, so they have an incentive to get off their lazy arses :)))))))))

thats probably the most moronic thing Ive ever read anywhere.

No budget is going to make everyone happy. Even with access to govt income and expenditure figures, nobody could do that. And even if they could, pressure groups, kickbacks, jobs for the boys when no longer in power etc would mean that it wouldnt be done, even if it could.
Anyone who thinks that most pollies are there for the country are kidding themselves, in my opinion.
So, slug the poor eh ? How would you define "poor" ? Anyone earning less than 100K a year according to someone I read of today (smh, govt budget blogs). That kinda cuts out teachers, ambos, public servants; in fact anyone who works to help people in any way. And while we're at it, why not take the vote from these people who obviously made wrong choices when young.
Now if we mean "non working" , single mums (surprisingly, most of who are divorced mature women according to the stats I have seen), the sick, disabled and the elderly, well thats a lot of poor. I suppose being poor is their choice, eh ?
Slug em ? Why not just shoot em ? Much less trouble. Oh hang on, if we shoot em then we can't rip em off...bad one.

Of course the poor might argue for a tax increase on wealthy people. Slug em so that they shoulder a fair share of the load.
Works both ways I guess :))))))))

'Loosie, in the area of industry where I play a little I hear of the beginnings of change of dynamic. What will be driven by a useage of sugar in to ethenol for instance? What other products are in a form of sugar that will be dragged with it? All those sorts of ideas that I may have had in my head twelve years ago but the market dynamic wasn't there. Not saying I was ahead of the time, just watching and seeing it happen now.

I have been a bit of a greenie at times, I don't like clear felling much for chipping for paper and love rapids in rivers rather than dams. Like to think we can leave the earth a bit better than we began on it. Pleanty of birds in trees and that sort of thing.

Back on the budget - Some of the paper I have been reading on the budget talks about the new tax threshold for 30% tax beginning at $25, 001 and the assistance from rebates begins to phase down from $21,600 is assistance to the low paid and with family it is higher assistance.

It has been a long term 'thing' to delay payment until the next year, but I guess we all remember the "LAW Law" Tax Cuts of Mr Cheating, but most of these are from July 1st 06, though the super improvement is 07...

"thats probably the most moronic thing Ive ever read anywhere."

LOL
Of all the people on this forum truckster, I must say Im surprized to get a bite out of you!!! Makes a nice change from the nissan debate!

Im certain you and I have certainly read more "moronic" statements than that anyway.

the budget deletes the tax of 15% ROTORD and up to $25,000 tax free from other sources too, so if you do some work under the sun during winter it makes use of your skills and keeps the brain functioning. If your partner has some super too it can be a reasonable top up.

All this says is make sure your super gets topped up......

The problem with selling up, moving out and spending as you go is that at the end of it all, you don't usually just fade away peacefully. You become old and sick which is a very expensive pastime. And someone has to pay. This will become an increasing burden on the country.
So maybe the extra few $$ that you've saved by slogging it out till 60 might help pay for private health insurance...fine until you take a peek at the gap payments (and then you'll feel crook...very crook!).
Kinda reminds me of the old saying about good girls going to heaven but the bad ones get to go anywhere they like. The "average" (statistical measurement of taxable income) worker doesn't seem to be able to get ahead.
Geez that's depressing. Now I feel like one of those ants that are only around to work. And the most depressing bit ? I'm relatively well off compared to the other ants.
Anyone know of a PAYE taxpayer that I can rip off ? A few keystrokes to put his taxes into my account and .......

Now I have no problems with the ski holidays so often mentioned but i agree with you here about the health issues. It makes good sense to have some reserves for those elective emergencies unless you want to have a miserable retirement. Don't count on medicare and those dissapearing doctors either may be better to have a healthy approach to lifestyle as well.

Kind regards

"Loosie, I think I only know good girls. sob

John, I only ever met one good girl, and I married her. And now in my doting age, I rather glad that I did :))

I agree 100%.
For example a sparkie or fitter. The highest school qualifications are not necessarily the best. A young bloke who is a good academic is likely to carry on studying after his apprenticeship into engineering, and at the end of it all, there is still not a working tradesman?

Yup, I to agree. When I left school at 15 you did an apprenticeship and then went on to further studies if you wanted... Now you need to do a "course" to be able to be a trolley boy...I think in my day there were careers for people who did not want to go to Uni... for example you could start off as a very junior hand in the Railways & work your way up...Try doing that now. The other thing that has changed of course is that all the trades seem to have been broken down into specialities, no longer can you get a Carpentry & Joinery Trade Certificate that entitles you to build a house & fit it out. These days there are people who only fit kitchens or fix gyprock...
Even learning to drive a Tram requires a TER score....I guess at least to drive a tram one of the criteria is that you don't have to speak english....
It's a wierd world job wise, i'm glad I'm off the market so to speak & now will be able to live the life of O'Riley ( the builder) with my new found taxation bonanza...

While it may not seem fair to your 16yo when he hears he has to go to year 12 when you were able to do your apprenticeship in year 10 there are probably a couple of things that need to be taken into consideration:

1) in terms of the basic 3 R's which do you think would come out on top. An average year 10 student from 20 or 30 years ago or an average year 10 graduate from this year (or even a year 12 grad). I

2) What else does a kid need to know these days that he didn't 20-30 years ago? Well I think your staring at the answer right now. Any kid is likely to come across a computer of some sort when he gets a job, in just about any industry. Say he a tradie working in a mechanical shop or similar, if the boss is busy, he might have to take the customer payment print a receipt or whatever from the computer. I am sure there are many examples but just like life was very awkward over the last 30 years for a bloke who can't read or write, its going to be just as awkward over the next 30 if you can't use a computer.

3) The cost of training. For a business to take on an apprentice probably isn't as cheap (in terms of wages and training costs) as what it was 20 years ago. Can businesses really afford to have a turnstile of young kids trying the job for a couple of months and then finding it the job wasn't what they wanted. Getting a kid that can make it to that 2nd year stage is important and perhaps hiring a couple of years later when kids are 17 and just a little more mature helps give the bosses some certainty over the investment they are about to make.

Anyway just my 2 cents.

Cheers

Roblin - re the Defence forces cutting out apprenticeships in favour of adult trainees is not quite true....remember Australia signed up to the international treaty on the rights of children some time back and one of the requirements of this (I think) was that children (ie <17 yo) couldn't serve in permanent army/navy/airforce. Having said that all three Services offer top notch training which still results in civilian recognised trade quals and the recruiting age is 17 - 40+ - also you only need yr 10 and show the ability to be able to handle the math...you will get remedial lessons if required.

For Lazybugger

My kids (teenage) are more computer literate than the majority of adults presently in the workforce. It is something that is pushed in all levels of schooling (even pre-school now). I can cop the maturity issue easily. We weren'tany different. It was just that society as a whole had a different mindset. Tradesman, in general, were dropouts from school and chose to leave as soon as they could (15yo). All of the trades have been trying, for at least the last decade, to get formal tertiary acclaim in some respects to prove their equivalency. Unfortunately, as parents within this timeframe, we collectively are also to blame. We advocate to our children to study to year 12, go to Uni and have better (more prosperous opportunities) lives than we did.

I am one of the X gens. My parents wanted this but also supported my decision to leave for an apprenticeship in 81. I had excellent school results but was sick of school and left at the end of year 11. I don't regret any chooses I have made. I have multiple trades (civilian electrical and then RAAF electronics) and am now totally away from this area - in fact in air traffic control. I want my kids to go to Uni and realise achievements quicker than I did HOWEVER they must be happy and satisfied with their lot. After discussing some of this with my wife, the major issue with a teenager (regardless whether 15 or 19) is their drive to achieve what they set themselves to do. I personally relished the opportunity to be an apprentice and did very well throughout the 4 year contract. Unfortunately, my opinion of todays teenagers is that they lack this same drive and appreciation of what they get and yes that also applies to my 16yo son.

To the tradies, please don't be offended, but the only R that I remember really being applied in my apprenticeship was 'rithmetic, and that was because I was in the electrical area. Basic reading and writing is complete in year 7. Shakespeare isn't commonly quoted on building sites or engineering workshops.

Patrol22

I wasn't aware of the 17yo rule. I have been military for the last 20 years and seen many changes - some good, some not so. The ADF as a whole used to turn over more than 400 apprentices each year plus the adult trainees. The current adult trade training system turns over more now but we keep a lot of excellent applicants waiting until they are 17 when they could have been under training prior to this age. I finished my civilian electrical fitter/mechanic apprenticeship, did some trade time and then joined the RAAF as one of the adult trainees. I have been able to work up to commissioning in air traffic control. Its a great system that pays and trains. You are right, top notch training.

The top tax bracket kicked in at $70k a year back. This year it has been $95k and it was supposed to be $125k from 1st july. Now it will be $150k and 45 cents in the dollar. All other brackets will be lifted also.
" I remember hearing about all this extra money I will have 12 months ago, but am yet to see any. It was something silly like $50 per week! "

probably spent it! $50 doesnt sound silly to me, unless you got too much? Stash the $50 each week instead of buying a foil and a packet of gaspers and youll have $2500 in a year!

Steve, fair go mate. Look at what our pollys have done for us.... Involved us in other peoples wars at unbelievable public & personal expense, created one of the most generous super schemes for themselves, told more lies than Adolf Hitler, ad nauseaum.
Years ago my sister refused to vote, she got fined and defended herself in court saying that no one on her ticket was worthy of her vote claiming that ther were all petty crims & "Arthur Daley" types, the judge dismissed the charge as moments before her appearance in court the state government dismissed the council that she refused to vote for....

Look at what our pollys have done for us
thats way too close to the line from Life of Brian

"WHAT HAVE THE ROMANS EVER DONE FOR US...."

have a look overseas and see what the alternatives are.
Can anyone name a country that has it better, cleaner and less corrupt than Aus?

No, but that doesnt mean that we couldn't have it much better, much cleaner and far less corrupt than what it is.

Hutt River Province.

"Hutt River Province."
You can buy a passport there same as carribean and other tax havens (but its cheaper!) but no one lives there other than Prince leonard and family. Rich or poor.
You dont have ANY say in the government. Its Prince Leonard or p...off.
Jobs are scarce, work for Prince Leonard or p...off
Cant buy fuel there, unless from Prince Leonard
Roads are rough, but hey you can complain to Prince Leonard!
They dont tell you what is in their budget, ditto
They dont have any welfare, except if Prince Leonard feels sorry for you!

Its just around the corner from me.

I'll leave it to someone else to outline the bad points!

I love the sticker that says, "Don't vote, you'll only encourage the ba%tards."
What sort of democracy puts its citizens in jail for not voting ? Chinese democracy ?
What sort of Govt can claim a "mandate" with 38% of the total vote ?
Years ago I met a parliamentry type in the bush. When I asked him if he'd had a good trip he grinned and told me that it had better have been a good trip, as it was taxpayer funded.
Not happy Jan.

"What sort of democracy puts its citizens in jail for not voting ? Chinese democracy ?"

Good question, cant think of one that does? but Im guessing your referring to Aus. Isnt the fine $25 or $50?
Maybe you'd go to jail if you didnt vote cos you were busy robbing a bank, but otherwise I dont think so.
The great thing about Aus though is that YOU can make a difference by becoming a pollie, and tabling all the wonderful ideas.
But 99% of people are content indulging in whinging and tearing down pollies than doing something practicle.
Who would want to be a pollie anyway though with the s... money they earn, copping it from eveyone and being in the public eye.
Travelling, whoopee. I travel for work quite a bit and hotels aint much fun. Imagine going to those meetings and committees and all that crap.
Most people would rather be with their families I reckon, once the novelty wears off.

even with the faults - you would be better off than you are here.

"The great thing about Aus though is that YOU can make a difference by becoming a pollie, and tabling all the wonderful ideas.
But 99% of people are content indulging in whinging and tearing down pollies than doing something practicle.
Who would want to be a pollie anyway though with the s... money they earn, copping it from eveyone and being in the public eye.
Travelling, whoopee. I travel for work quite a bit and hotels aint much fun. Imagine going to those meetings and committees and all that crap.
Most people would rather be with their families I reckon, once the novelty wears off."
Oh come on !
Just how many pollies do or even CAN make a difference ? They become part of the system, individuals don't count. The party makes the difference, and only then if they're in power. Public perception may look different but that's the way it is.
As for tearing down pollies, that's what they get paid for, target practise ! When you take the Kings schilling ...........its called democracy...go to China if you don't want to hear the masses moaning about their pollies.
When travelling they don't only take their families, they take whatever they want to. Nice work if you can get it...I see the NSW Premier spent $100K on his last trip.
Travel is difficult ? They don't HAVE to go and yet thay do, time after time on the taxpayers dime. All those meetings, food, waited on hand and foot, limos everywhere, the best hotels, 1st class airfares....oh come on who is kidding who !

"even with the faults - you would be better off than you are here."

Im a bit confused, are you saying you would be better off in China than you are here?? Forgive me if I have misunderstood your grammar as you seem to be a reasonably logical person, however I am fairly sure you intended that as a joke.
As no intelligent person would think such a MORONIC thing. If it were true i am sure it would be easy to migrate there. It wouldnt be necessary to hire some dodgy old timber fishing boat off some people smugglers and island hop through pirate infested waters to get here.

But I do like your sense of humour, offbeat! kudos to you sir!!

Yep ,some have got to love the public purse ,,brotherinlaw did 22yrs navy and collects his pension ,joins police force and is credited with 22yrs sick leave entitlement ,,gotta love the public purse.

Alloy c/t....methinks that anyone who has done time in the military deserves their pension benefit...public purse or not. I for one spent a total of 14 years at sea seeing family on the odd occasion throughout those years. Would I do it again...probably not....much easier to get a soft job ashore and go home to mum's bum every night.

Patrol22 ,was not having a "go" ,just pointing out an anomaly ,when in the army/navy/airforce you are paid whether "sick" or not ,used to be part of the service allowance ,,no dispute on pension at all ,