Education
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EDUCATION might matter to some, but it definitely doesn’t to our federal politicians.
They have decided to make it as difficult as possible for families to support their children and it will be Tasmanian students who will be hit the hardest.
Family Tax Benefit Part B for single-income families is going when the youngest child turns 13 instead of 16, reducing family incomes by up to $9417 over the three years and the Senate has now agreed to scrap the $2050 yearly scholarship available to 3000 Tasmanians who access the youth allowance, Austudy or Abstudy. It’s another $6000 minimum that will need to be found by parents or students for a three-year degree.
It’s an absolute disgrace and one can only imagine what Gough would have thought of this.
— TERRY POLGLASE, AEU state president.
Superannuation
AUSTRALIAN workers are encouraged to provide for their retirement by contributing into a superannuation fund.
The amount recommended is based on today’s needs projected forward throughout the retirement years.
Amounts in excess of $1 million have been recommended if retiring today.
Why $1 million?
The chances are that five years or 10 years into retirement your needs or health may prevent you from maintaining the current lifestyle.
How much will you require then?
If you have been prudent throughout your working life, retiring debt free and not intending to have a first class world trip each year, a superannuation balance of $250,000 - $300,000 would be adequate.
The upper amount frightens many people from contributing any additional to the employer contributions.
Who produces these predictions?
They are made by insurance company actuaries encouraged by politicians.
The actuary uses computer modelling.
The government's motivation is to contain costs.
One could ask how many studies in the expectations and demand of retirees are included in the actuary’s hypothesis.
Profit motivates the insurers. Money from workers pockets motivates capitalist politicians
Retirement is a more relaxed lifestyle.
The very early period might consist of some travel.
Thereafter the relaxed lifestyle has fewer demands on the budget.
Labor introduced compulsory superannuation into Australia in 1993 for the purpose of supplementing the cost of welfare including aged pensions.
It was never, as the government would have us believe intended to replace the aged pension.
— WALLY REYNOLDS, Perth.
Traffic
WHILST travelling back to the city from Prospect Market Place on December 8, the volume of traffic flowing to Westbury Road at 8.40am must give Meander Valley Council concern over the proposed changes to traffic management, Westbury Road and Wellington Street by the Launceston City Council.
This amount of traffic has to return at the end of the day coupled with Metro bus services travelling to and from.
Parents of students attending St Patrick's College realise the traffic problems going and coming from the college and inherent danger.
Whilst the parents who wish their children to have a private secondary education have a choice, send them to other private schools, i.e Mowbray or Newstead to avoid the traffic delays that will occur if these alterations take place (remember Normanstone Road and its failure).
Students doing years 11 and 12 have the choice of the other private schools or Newstead or Launceston colleges.
The all out election at the last council election has left a lack of experience, which long-serving alderman could have advised on.
Launceston City Council has a fight on its hands in the Northern suburbs over moving the university from open space to a congested space at Inveresk.
Blind Freddy would be aware not to open another war on the western front of the city and adjoining municipality.
West Launceston residents missed out on the missing link in Granville Street out of the Bi-Centenary levy and now the only solution is a bridge from Peel Street to Westbury Road.
— BRIAN KHAN, Newstead.
Tourism
THERE is no doubt that there are many many people whom work tirelessly to shape Tasmania's tourism industry - both North and South of the island.
In my recent visit to Hobart I was amazed to see the transformation David Walsh has made to, in particular the Hobart waterfront, offering a glimpse of what Tasmania and its people has to offer.
I hope the state government will further their support for David Walsh's projects alike which allows local Tasmanians to reap the rewards too.
— HANNAH ISRAEL, Newstead.