Proposed Budget Measures unpopular

[Rorschach]

Galaxy poll shows voters oppose increase of pension age to 70
ELLEN WHINNETT
Herald Sun
May 04, 2014

THE Government has failed to convince Australians of the need to tighten their belts, with an exclusive poll showing voters are overwhelmingly opposed to plans to raise the pension age to 70. I disagree, I think most reasonable Australians understand the need, but the last government are responsible for the spending largesse people have been tightening their belts for years now. Also being opposed to a further rise in the pension age doesn't mean they don't understand the situation.

A Galaxy poll conducted exclusively for the Herald Sun shows 69 per cent of voters are opposed to the move.

More than half of Coalition voters polled - 57 per cent - did not support the pension age being lifted from 67 (taking effect in 2023) to 70.

Just over a third - 34 per cent - were in favour of it. And 81 per cent of Labor voters were against it.

NEW POLL SHOWS PM WOULD LOSE AN ELECTION

The Government received slightly more support for its likely plan to introduce a $6 fee for people to attend a bulk-billed doctor’s appointment.

More than half the Coalition voters polled - 54 per cent - supported the move, while only 25 per cent of Labor voters supported it.

The Government is expected to use the May 13 Budget to introduce the new fee, which is likely to be somewhere between $6 and $15, for all trips to the doctor, although there would be a cheaper concession rate. $15 is way OTT if you ask me. People already pay a gap in many instances, not all Drs bulk bill.

Treasurer Joe Hockey announced last week that the Government would raise the pension age to 70 years from 2035.

Galaxy director managing director David Briggs said the results were similar across all age groups and both genders.

“What we are seeing is that it really doesn’t matter how you slice and dice it, the Government really hasn’t sold the idea of the austerity measures.”

Mr Briggs said the results might also reflect the fact that people seemed to identify qualifying for the pension as a rite of passage.

“Maybe the general consensus is that you work all your life, and when you reach a certain age, you access the pension,” Mr Briggs said. Oh derrrr, ya think?

He said older voters polled were unhappy about the pension age rise, despite the changes not affecting them.

The Galaxy poll also looked at voting intention and showed that Prime Minister Tony Abbott would lose an election if it were held today. Really...? we just voted out the wort 2 governments I can remember and the people are willing to vote them back in? I don't think so.

After weeks of talking up a”budget emergency” and revelations they were hatching plans for a new debt tax, the Coalition Government’s two-party preferred vote slipped to 48 per cent to Labor’s 52 per cent.

The September election saw the Abbott-led Coalition win by attracting 53.5 per cent of the two-party preferred vote to Labor’s 46.5 per cent.

The May 13 Budget will include a range of severe cost-savings measures, including cuts to welfare, tightening of eligibility for a number of benefits, and the likely debt tax as the Government looks to cut billions of dollars in spending from its bottom line.

[Neferti]

Shall we all stop getting our knickers in a twist and actually WAIT until Budget Night?

[gizmo_2655]

Every Government loses popularity around Budget time.

[Rorschach]

Mine are definitely not twisted.
Some people's are; Monk, Aussie, Johnboy, and quite few other Leftards.

This topic is about PROPOSED Budget measures Nef.
Care to partake?
No?

Happy to have the retirement age set to 70?
Happy for co-payments at the Drs?
Happy with a deficit levy or as it actually is an increase in the income tax of higher earners?

[Rorschach]

Every Government loses popularity around Budget time.

Usually after Giz

What I don't get is the idea that those unhappy would vote labor back in?

[IQS.RLOW]

Happy to have the retirement age set to 70?

Yes

Happy for co-payments at the Drs?

Yes

Happy with a deficit levy or as it actually is an increase in the income tax of higher earners?

No. This is a broken promise.

Abbott would be a fool to increase taxes to implement the deficit levy. He needs to find another way.

[Neferti]

Mine are definitely not twisted.
Some people's are; Monk, Aussie, Johnboy, and quite few other Leftards.

This topic is about PROPOSED Budget measures Nef.
Care to partake?
No?

Happy to have the retirement age set to 70?
Happy for co-payments at the Drs?
Happy with a deficit levy or as it actually is an increase in the income tax of higher earners?

Sure. I do. But I never cross my bridges until I come to them.

Obviously, after the ALP debacle, our latest Government is there to clean up the mess. It is of NO USE AT ALL to pontificate about what MIGHT happen.

So, No. I shan't bother anticipating what MIGHT happen, but do continue ....

[Neferti]

Happy to have the retirement age set to 70?

Yes

Happy for co-payments at the Drs?

Yes

Happy with a deficit levy or as it actually is an increase in the income tax of higher earners?

No. This is a broken promise.

Abbott would be a fool to increase taxes to implement the deficit levy. He needs to find another way.

EVERYONE is reading this ALL the wrong way. By about 2025 there will be NO SUCH THING as the Aged Pension. This is why Keating bought in compulsory superannuation. The smartest thing he ever did. You work, you contribute to YOUR retirement. You will still be able to retire whenever you wish. There will just be no money in the kit for people who have NOT thought about themselves. Tuff Luck.

IF people want to work until they are 80, why shouldn't they be able to do so and pay less tax (an age tax)? A bunch of old wrinklies, lurking around wherever (Thailand?) living it up on an Aussie Old Age Pension. I doubt it. Some over at OzPol think it is feasible though.

I have never, ever been to a GP or Specialist who Bulk Bills. I think this $15 "payment" should be more and should apply to those who take their kids to Emergency with a runny nose. Emergency is for the obvious, not people who want FREE medical.

As for every other thing that is being leaked ... wait until Budget Night.

[Rorschach]

Most people aren't up to working till they are 80, many that think they can have dementia.

[Rorschach]

Older people with chronic illnesses probably can't afford to pay $15 a visit and for their medication.