That is interesting reading. Thanks for the link.

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Around 4.6 million Australians receive an income support payment of some kind from the Australian Government in the form of a pension or allowance (27 per cent of the population aged 15 years and over):

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* in 2006–07, Australian Government expenditure on the income support system was $71.6 billion, or around 6.8 per cent of GDP

* 77 per cent of Australians over the age of 65 receive income support, and 17 per cent of Australians aged 16–64 years

* 59 per cent of income support recipients are women, and 58 per cent are single.

Gerry O

Thought you may also be interested in these population figures from the Bureau of Statistics.



AUSTRALIAN POPULATION DEMOGRAPHICS 2007



Source of information is Bureau of Statistics



Age Numbers Population %

0-14 4,204,000 19.64%

15-44 9,268,500 43.29%

45-64 5,090,180 23.78%

65-End 2,846,900 13.30%

Total 21,409,580 100.00%



If you do the mathematics and use Govt review figures of 77% of the 65 and over get a pension allocation and they got a $30 rise per fortnight then the cost to the public purse would be 1.7 billion dollars per annum extra. Wow!!

Very interesting figures...........The cost to increase pensions is a spit in the ocean compared to government waste and money given in overseas aid. Not sure what the WOW was about seemed like youre on the pollies side.

I dont know who penned the quote "There are lies, damned lies.....and statistics", but it often tempers my view of these sort of discussions. The government is reaping HUGE windfall benefits from fuel, the resources boom etc AND, virtually EVERY dollar given to pensioners goes back into the economy (How many pensioners can afford to save and invest). Into that should also be considered that pensioners are not TAX EXEMPT......a slice of their incomes go back directly to government. Maybe not income tax, but certainly GST and other taxes and excise, so it is certainly not entirely a "one way street" should the Govt grace us with a little more cash.

Youre right K, any working person or pensioner that can be found guilty of tax evasion should be given a medal. Its impossible to avoid tax unless you have a high income and use a smart accountant but as you say everything is taxed and payment unavoidable. The only increase in real wages would be t have an increase plus tax and that wil never be.

No Westozzy I'm not on the polies side, I'm a realist.

It just that when you do the figures the sums are so vast as to seem unrealistic.

As for all the taxes the Govt raise; with the very real likelihood of a Global turn down in consumerism (demand) we will certainly feel the knock on effect here within the next few months and that will mean less jobs, and less revenue for the Govt.

Here's a thought. I bet that Rudd within the next two months says that things are going to get tighter and so he will be reducing any pension rise, as well as infrastructure works and Broad Band upgrades.

With the current Global financial meltdown I reckon we are all in for pretty rough financial ride over the next twelve months.

As I write this and I am certainly in agreement with you, the US is awaiting the debate between McCain and Obama the preceeding programme on now has discussion beyond belief. loudobbs.com an independent. The experts that are giving reports on the so called Wall Street bail-out are opening a frightening scenario to the consequencies, if these problems snowball to Ausralia and indeed the rest of the world then everything from jobs to house and property values are going to collapse or degenerate. Whether that does occur it will certanly be an opportunity for Mr Rudd to use it as a excuse to curtail or minimise an increase in our pensions. What is happening here in New York is an eye opener beyond belief and I am glad to be here to see this first hand and not read it after our media has got its hands on it......... More to come Im sure.

Westozzy good to see that you are abreast of the financial situation and getting uncensorsed news.

I remember the dire warnings and horrific stories of my grandparents who had gone through the last depression. Never mind puttying your money under the bed it becomes useless paper.

Its a great shame and indictment that in this age with all our education we humans still play "Nero" politics in a time of crisis. Lets hope the Republicans get their act together in time.

Im amazed, the Australian government dont give a shit about pensioners carers etc I think we all agree on that. Here in the USA where the situation is to say the least chaotic and in utter turmoil with people not knowing if they will keep their jobs and banks folding daily. So what happens, a bale out package that will hopefully get the show back on the road goes to a bi-partizan vote and the polititians cant agree. Polititians are assholes only the geography seperates their mentality. I hope they all rot in hell.