Comments on: Handy handout from the government

By: fiona

fiona — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:18:54 +0000

The Rudd government’s handout is an extraordinary waste of our country’s resources and the money could have been spent much more wisely to stimulate the economy.

For example, perhaps the goverment should have considered lowering taxes for low and middle income earners instead. This would have been a more equitable move and would encourage and reward people who actually put in the hard yards to make ends meet (like Sharon McEvoy’s example above).

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:52:45 +0000

I feel for you Sharon. We would have missed the threshold for two children and just made it for three or more. For the sake of $1000 in income (on which you would pay over $350 in tax) it must hurt for those people who just miss the cut.

By: Sharon McEvoy

Sharon McEvoy — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:19:11 +0000

Having missed out on the hand out I feel really depressed watching everyone that got it madly spending. We are really struggling with our 2k a month mortgage and $800 a month in childcare.

So I returned to work 4 days a week in September and my husband took on overtime, so he has to work 6 to 7 days a week to make ends meet. This pushed us over their income bracket. Gee it would have been nice to get the handout and see my husband for a few extra days this Christmas, it should go to all or no one.

I know people that intentionally keep there pay income under 100K so they reap all handouts and rebates.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:24:55 +0000

Christian, I think you are going to miss out. I believe the cut-off for one child was around $101,000 and it rose to something like $115,000 or thereabouts for three children. Sorry, these figures aren’t exact and a quick web search doesn’t easily reveal them.

I was on edge about our eligibility because we earned some money last financial year from one-off capital gains, but we qualified.

By: Christian

Christian — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:02:32 +0000

Can anyone tell me if my wife & i are still eligible for the governments $10.4billion handout?
Our combined income was $124,000 last financial year but my wife is now at home looking after our 5 month old baby, She has not worked since july08 & is due back at work july09.. Are we still eligible ???

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:54:10 +0000

I agree Josh. If you do the numbers, there are probably more voters among families and pensioners than singles. And young singles predominantly vote Labor anyway.

By: Josh

Josh — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:41:41 +0000

what about the people who are not married it seems we always seemed to be ignored in these handouts,bonuses, etc. this seems to be discrimination against being single by the government good to see one rule for all thanks mr pollie

By: delmer

delmer — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:37:20 +0000

Bush gave me something in the neighborhood of $1000. I say I used it to help pay for The New Bike — but I was going to get it anyway.