Much of this is terrific.  One short-sighted thing is the issue of our comparatively rich country and its donations to poorer places in our region and elsewhere.  We can afford to do much more to help with health, education and, of course, goodwill.  Good neighbourliness is definitely worth a small percentage of our GDP.

As for retiring at 60, perhaps that can be the age where people have the option of scaling down.  I would choose to keep on working until I'm carried out because work is a pleasure but this is not the case for all.  Those who retire quite early need to be able to afford to do so, or need to contract to guaranteed part-time, paid work - perhaps in teaching migrants life-skills, language, team-sports and general education, or as mentors in their former professons/trades/industries.  As well there needs to be a fund that will support old people as entrepreneurs, starting small businesses in their own expert fields or areas of interest.

Government pensions should cut in at 70 unless there are provable medical or hardship reasons during the decade between 60 and 70. 

An incentive to work part-time might help, but not waiting until 70 for a pension, as many will just be on Newstart which is a lower rate and if you pay rent hardly enough to survive on. Okay for those who have super or a next egg to fall back on but not everyone has.

Yes, of course there are jobs that are self-limiting.  But the emphasis and has always been on how sad it is tht people have to work, rather than what a privilege it can be.  So many guys retired, moon around the house looking lost, getting underfoot, feelig as though they have no value.  Humans are, at best, workers.  

If learning was made fun, rewarding, easy accessed and mildy competitive, to say nothing of ultimately rewarding, I suspect there would be less depression among the over-60s, fewer health issues and so on.  Obviously those without funds or ability will have to have support but, rather than make that the main focus, perhaps our society could begin to regard "the dole" as a short-term, rather embarassing necessity for those unable to do any better.  

Good idea Doodlebug44 I quite agree with you wholeheartedly. It would be a lot fairer on everybody. I also think charity begins at home in some cases. How much of the money going overseas for charity actually goes to people in need and not used for arms etc. Clean up your own kitchen before cleaning someone elses.

I wish people would stop knocking others that have not got a job.

Stereotyping people doesn't require any intelligence, and people who do that should investigate more closely why so many people haven't got jobs, and consider how fortunate they are that they do have a job.

Many unemployed people do unpaid volunteer work without receiving government benefits.

I also think that the unemployment statistics should include all part time and casual workers who want and need full time work.

Add in the organisation of a PROPER 'Futures Fund' for ALL Australians, by firstly bringing home the stolen generation of $130Bn, sacking those involved and forbidding them any position in government bodies of any kind, amalgamating it with the never-ended contributions to social security that have been sidetracked into 'consolidated revenue' so politicians of all stamps can play games with it, add in all super contributions under the same rules and values, and separate it entirely from the hands of politicians and their cronies with a % contribution plus a capped additional contribution to preclude rorting super and its tax concessions, who will only see it as a source of income and of endless largesse to any scheme they may come up with THIS time!

Forbid politicians past from engaging in a remunerative position with government in any way while drawing their fat 'super', and forbid them from lobbying for a period of not less than ten years, and in the case of proven rorters, for life.

Turn back 'privatisation' with its incumbern massive cost rises to the end user.

Compel companies etc ripping Australian national resources into THEIR 'global economy' (including jobs) to Reserve sufficient for Australian use at LOCAL prices without 'value added' from our use of resources that never left our shores and never incurred those costs.

(I'll draw breath now - been to Sydney to see the Vivid show (nice), and pick up some building materials, and also to rip off the casino for a bit.... (snuckles).... tired)..

I'm 75, still working still paying tax, still enjoyng life. And for much of the 59 years I've been working, Ive been helping our developing country neighbours. Im still working in Fiji part time.

While some commentators are right that we could do more to help the poor, many places where aid is sent money is simply building politicians slush funds. Like PNG Where A ustralian taxpayes will spend $470m (not counting the ridiculous Manus $70m debacle, thanks to Gillard). Every parameter of welfare: health, education, social development, transport and infrastructure, and measures of viullage level economic development have gone backwards over the past decade or two, despite Oz Aid input of some $4 billion. Could have paid for a few students in our Unis, or a new hospital or two, instead of financing politicians like Skate or the current PM O'Niell. Our Aid administrators do try, but they are outsmarted at every turn, and suffer from corporate amnesia.

No, as Jesus said, the poor we have with us always, and the place for charity is to begin at home. And for goodness sake start addressing the huge debt we are accumulating (270% of GDP according to the Reserve Bank) which has accumulated throught the massive feeding at the trough facilitated by our irresponsible politicians and even more irresponsible (populist supporting) electorate.

The debt legacy we are leaving for the next generation makes we oldies reprehensably irresponsible. Let alone the loss of moral compass - homosexual marriage anyone? Or how about a few hundred $K from China for your facvourite pollie?

I'd like to add the following, with the intention of righting some injustices and suggestion legislation that deter illegal activity before it happens....

* no investment properties can be left unoccupied (especially while there is a housing shortage for working people or people who are genuinely unable to work) unless a 'very hefty fine' is imposed (ie $50K pa for every property, not the paultry $1,500 currently being mooted - this is laughable).  Suggest this is paid to the taxation office by the investor/investment company - on a month-by-month basis AND this should also be monitored by local councils, as they have the means to physically monitor such stock in their own localities (rates, electricity, water rates etc).  The taxation office should cross-reference investment properties ownership to ensure there is no double-dipping/clever accounting or 'concealed ownership name' schemes that slip through the net.  In China there are a multitude of 'ghost' cities where no one lives!  This situation is being evidenced in Sydney - NOW.

* no negative gearing for investors who buy an 'investment' property after conpulsorily registering their ownership of one only investment property.  Investors may then invest anywhere else but not in housing stock - this has resulted in housing being unaffordable in the cities and this prevents young Australian families or young/disadvantaged people trying to get into their own homes close to essential services. 

* no political donations for elections allowed from any self-interest group - especially businesses or people from overseas countries (especially developers).  The whole election funding system needs to be overalled to ensure power groups cannot influence the outcome which is undemocratic or against the benefit of the general population.  All legitimate parties should share equal and publicly funded advertising of their policies, related to the size of population within their electorate.  Instead of politicians being funded to travel all over the country or state at will, they should be funded to present to the communities at local council facilities, utilising teleconferencing and audio visual facilities to reach members of the public and those who are remote from the local council facility.  Everyone should have access to the policies of all parties equally.

* More Transparency:  State Govt purchases of properties for state govt projects should publish in depth and accurate ownership and sales details of any properties being purchased using public monies. It has been shown in the past that developers have had a heads up of upcoming-opportunities, (ie advanced planning, proposed acquisitions, etc) from pollies/govt employees, who benefit from their donations/favours.  All public purchases of property should clearly identify the names of the sellers, whether they are companies or individuals.  Punishment for corrupt activities such as this should be an automatic gaol sentence and removal of any benefits gained by being employed within the govt or it's agencies and misusing such commercially sensitive information.

* Replace "Life" sentences with "Indefinite Detention" ...as Life no longer means life.  Our Criminal Sentencing system is broken - crims are out on the streets because the gaols are full (3 to a cell in Sydney gaols).  We need to come down harder on unreformed criminals and it is obviously essential that we build appropriate gaols to house such undesirables.  After any sentence is served, non-citizens should be automatically sent back to their country of origin (air-fare paid only).   

Hi Musicveg

Each state would have representatives in the federal parliament that would raise issues pertinent to their state but only relevant to funding of infrastructure eg Health,roads,education etc.

I don't feel we need the amount of politicians that are currently in our state parliaments to do that....!!

Interesting list there Doodlebug, a lot more could be added but that's enough to go on at the moment. 

Yes, although charity begins at home, we must think of the way richer countries got rich i.e. by pillaging and stealing from poorer nations, now it is time to give some back. We as a wealthy country have a moral responsibility to help out along with other rich nations who do the same.