A budget that serves the common good

The 2015 federal budget announced by Treasurer Joe Hockey is good in that it serves the higher interests of Australia. There is room for more reforms where money is being wasted by our Government.

There are also other things that serve the higher interests of the country. It will save billions of dollars when the government speeds up the reforms of the housing, welfare and public health (Medicare) sectors.

In housing sector, we see government spending millions of taxpayer dollars on new public projects.  Not all tenants in these public houses have a right to be there. Public housing was originally designed to provide short-term relief for families in need of affordable accommodation, not to provide subsidized accommodation to families who cry poor but can continually find the money for items like alcohol, cigarettes or narcotics?

How can the government allow only one person to live in 2 or 3 bedroom homes on land ranging in size up to 1000 square metres or in prestige locations where there is high demand? Such land is worth millions of dollars and can be used to build many more houses for those in need of accommodation or for other development opportunities that create jobs.

In welfare, how is someone who has not worked in Australia entitled to get a pension at retirement age, funded by taxpayers money, not only in Australia but also have that pension sent to them if they live outside Australia? Pensions are paid out of the public purse. That is, the Australian public purse. It’s not meant intended to act as a de facto income to support someone who is, in all likelihood, living in a country with a lower cost of living and thereby giving the pension recipient greater buying power.

In regard to Medicare Australia offers free medical consultation, X-rays etc, very few people in other countries can see a doctor without paying upfront. No patient in the world goes for X-ray without paying at least part of the cost; only in Australia this is available. Health care is a must, especially for those on lower incomes unable to afford private health cover, hence the need for Medicare. But those that can pay for it should pay for it to ease the burden on the public purse.

It’s only fair.

Safety on Sydney Streets

We would like to call on the Government to raise the age for driving. Statistics show that drivers under 23 cause many accidents by driving fast, being careless, reckless and causing noise during day and night. More police monitoring and surveillance cameras should also be used to improve safety with younger drivers.

                                                                         Editor in Chief