pension at 70, page-24

Joe Hockey and co. have never had a job that requires any physical strength and obviously have no idea what happens when the arthritis, bad backs and repercussions from injuries set in for many older workers. Joe & Co. should have a week spent wielding a pick axe, driving a truck at all hours, working in an abattoir or caring for the elderly demented. They would soon change their tune.

They could also take some time to look at their local paper's obituary lists. They'd soon see that many people only live into their 50's.

People needing to look for new employment following redundancy over the age of 45 years already have great difficulty finding any work, so can you imagine what it would be like for someone over the age of 55 years, let alone someone in their late 60's.

Another point is that by having more and more people remaining in the workforce, at greater ages, that it will be even more difficult for the young to find their first jobs. This group already has unemployment rates way above the average despite so many of their generation continuing with higher education. Those in higher education can't claim the dole even if they are looking for work.

The first pension to go should be that which is given to pollies and judges. Everyone should be on the same wicket in terms of superannuation.

Pollies get their super pension as soon as they "retire" from politics which can be as young as 30, indexed ahead of inflation for the rest of their lives. I knew someone in state politics who "retired" to have her family.

As far as I know Gough Whitlam, despite being in a nursing home, still has an office funded by the taxpayer at around a million dollars per year. Bob Hawke has his office in Hong Kong, busy making a mozza, selling our country off to Chinese interests. Julia Gillard has recently been given a role in the Washington based 'Global Partnership for Education' which will, more than likely require her to travel the world...paid for by our taxes.

The politicians are quick to point the finger at the most vulnerable in our society, when in reality they are the most guilty of the lot when it comes to the abuse of taxpayer funding. What's worse is that these same politicians and ex-prime ministers are never held to account for their actions whilst in office and the outcomes to the country.

If they are going to stop the poorer elements of society from getting a pension until they turn 70, then neither should the politicians get access to their pension until they reach 70 either. Not that that would prevent the pollies from retiring before the stipulated age as they would have had plenty of other avenues to have saved enough already.

Britain's austerity started with the poor, has now reached the middle class and will eventually bring down the elite with it. The final outcome has been proven throughout history, so let's hope that is not where we too will be taken.