I listened with interest to the latest podcast. However, I take issue with Shane's comments regarding the inflation impacts on older Australians. He assumes that older Australians have the same spending patterns as young Australians. However, this is not true as one ages items that once cost nothing i.e. you did them yourself now cost you money e.g. lawn mowing and garden maintenance, window cleaning, house painting and maintenance, plumbing and electrical repairs, house cleaning, home care assistance, prepared meals. The other major inflation component are medical interactions, GP, dermatologist (skin checks and BCC removal), Sleep studies and specialists, ENT specialists, leg and arm specialists for shoulders, knees and hips, heart and lung specialists. These are not required in one's younger years but life in older age is marked by medical appointments of one type or another. If one looks at the inflation rates on these items they are above most inflation markers. I bet you're really pleased I gave you all these things to look forward to.
One of the benefits of getting older is to look at the bigger picture, hopefully bringing some wisdom to your view of life, and finding meaning in issues that are bigger then just oneself. Maybe their is a corresponding need to resist the shrinking of your world, so that you become focused only on issues that affect you directly, and particularly those that affect your hip pocket. Hoping to see the world become a better, safer place for those I will leave behind, I will be voting on the issue of climate change.
Key issue for me is the need to redirect Policy and Focus to the economy, specifically jobs. Without the debt-funded, marginally productive public-sector, Australia's job market is dangerously thin and headed in the wrong direction. Most initiatives over the past 30 years have made employment more expensive, less flexible and red-taped. No governments have been prepared to implement tough decisions, because the pampered electorate won't tolerate discomfort. All this is largely responsible for cost of living and related issues. It also threatens job availability for our grandchildren. Explaining all this to the current spoiled and distracted by fluffy agenda items generation is tough, but necessary. Doing so, plus outline probably tough measures as a strategic solution should be the Libs core policy platform, as should be their commitment in turning things around.
Hi Bec,
I listened with interest to the latest podcast. However, I take issue with Shane's comments regarding the inflation impacts on older Australians. He assumes that older Australians have the same spending patterns as young Australians. However, this is not true as one ages items that once cost nothing i.e. you did them yourself now cost you money e.g. lawn mowing and garden maintenance, window cleaning, house painting and maintenance, plumbing and electrical repairs, house cleaning, home care assistance, prepared meals. The other major inflation component are medical interactions, GP, dermatologist (skin checks and BCC removal), Sleep studies and specialists, ENT specialists, leg and arm specialists for shoulders, knees and hips, heart and lung specialists. These are not required in one's younger years but life in older age is marked by medical appointments of one type or another. If one looks at the inflation rates on these items they are above most inflation markers. I bet you're really pleased I gave you all these things to look forward to.
Regards,
Ian Kilpatrick
One of the benefits of getting older is to look at the bigger picture, hopefully bringing some wisdom to your view of life, and finding meaning in issues that are bigger then just oneself. Maybe their is a corresponding need to resist the shrinking of your world, so that you become focused only on issues that affect you directly, and particularly those that affect your hip pocket. Hoping to see the world become a better, safer place for those I will leave behind, I will be voting on the issue of climate change.
Key issue for me is the need to redirect Policy and Focus to the economy, specifically jobs. Without the debt-funded, marginally productive public-sector, Australia's job market is dangerously thin and headed in the wrong direction. Most initiatives over the past 30 years have made employment more expensive, less flexible and red-taped. No governments have been prepared to implement tough decisions, because the pampered electorate won't tolerate discomfort. All this is largely responsible for cost of living and related issues. It also threatens job availability for our grandchildren. Explaining all this to the current spoiled and distracted by fluffy agenda items generation is tough, but necessary. Doing so, plus outline probably tough measures as a strategic solution should be the Libs core policy platform, as should be their commitment in turning things around.