Michael Burston may be typical of the new populist haters who are cluttering up the political scene the world over & is of course welcome to have his opinion. But his views have no relevance here as he would obviously have voted Lib/Nat or Nazi & would under no circumstances have voted for Ms McGowan which a VERY clear majority of the Indi voters did.

I hope the comments aren’t a true depiction of Cathy’s power base, just a vocal minority. So much for inclusiveness. That the recent budget was “labor lite” was inevitable after the “long march” of socialism and Marxism through our schools, universities and government agencies. In particular the ABC has become the media arm of the CPSU with flagship programs such as QANDA consistently left wing and allegedly impartial commentary from Media Watch Paul Barry sneering at climate sceptics. Conservative commentary from Tom Switzer of Between the Lines is given no prominence. The solution is privatisation of the ABC so the left can pay for it themselves
The problem with taxing the rich is the money’s all committed, they employ people. Undoubtedly the Public Service works very hard, but remember taxes is equivalent to handing over five dollars to an official who calmly burns one and hands back four

Could not agree more whole heartedly with Denise Martin. The Mirabella is a blemish on the face of the electorate. I despise The Border Morning Mail for their extreme right wing bias in reportage of the court case & maligning Ms. McGowan for not stooping too play the Mirabella’s low game. One expects such rubbish from Andrew Bolt but it is unacceptable from a newspaper like BMM where the mass of readers voted for Cathy because of her integrity & because of the Mirrabella’s betrayl of the electorate.

Oops….My apologies for the typo.

Hi Cathy McGowen!

If I understand correctly, the upcomming redistribution of electrol boundaries will bring Violet Town out of the Strathbogie Shire and over to Indi. I cant begin to tell you how overjoyed I am, if true. I followed your election campaign culminating in the defeat of Mrs Mirabella. That you were able to engage so many millenial voters to your campaign was exciting. You not only ran an excellent campaign, but have continued to consult and work closely and consultitively with your electorate in an honourable & respectful manner and, is a credit to you and your staff.
Im looking forward to the fence comming down!
Kind regards
Denise

Can Someone please tell me if the Government inadvertently or perhaps deliberately? did not mention the senior cits of this country? Can they also elucidate regarding housing for same, which they vaguely touched on but did not go into. Why was nothing mention regarding rental aide for seniors who are forced to live in rentals and also forced to pay exorbitant rates for same? The rent rebate at best is useless and hardly worth it. Do they really think because it is often just one person living alone they do not need to eat much therefore everything goes to bills and rent? Where else in the budget are the seniors and pensioners alike mentioned? When so many other things ( no doubt all good value) are getting nice hikes from the Government and they are hoping to crack down on the welfare cheats of which there are many, to save even more money; money that amounts to 300 mil which could be easily handed to pensioners and seniors alike to assist with day to day living. Big business buddies will still be getting their tax breaks, what about those who spent their lives working to get a pension the Government seems to think is a handout! What about those who took government at their word paid into super funds and saved for the day they could retire as a self funded retiree only to discover they cannot live on it? Cannot afford to run the large family home they brought their kids up in and like many finish up in villages ( rip offs ???what about that as well) or private rentals. Why because this government does not allow for cheap residential living or any assistance for those who stay in their own home. Re work this budget it is amazingly remiss and so are the Government bodies utilising it. The Treasurer should be ashamed of himself you sir might never live into old age; and/or try to live on what the elderly are living on. This budget is for the modern people you forget who built this country!

Needless to say I agree in general with Lubosh…BUT most particularly I am infuriated by the nobbling of the ABC. The National broadcaster is the only mainstream media that has any journalistic integrity, anymore. Politicians…which have taken an unconscionable shift to the right in recent years…hate the ABC because it has stood it’s ground & continues with its impartial reporting.
Cathy…I am not a rusted on Union supporter, by any means, but I have to admit that your statement about penalty rates & not approving of “special people getting special treatment” re: the remuneration of some of the most vulnerable workers while the politicians hand out their own “special” rates with equanimity rather made me question your “brand”! Not that I suggest that you are a grubby self server like most politicians…but I still would have preferred you were a little more empathetic with those who keep our 24/7 modern world happening at the expense of their own health & their FAMILIES without recognition & accolade.

I just watched the Q&A session on the ABC. while it is no wonder both major political parties would like the ABC to go away and stop pointing out to their failings there is clearly growing audience in Australia of people who would like to be informed and participating decision makers in our political process rather than put up with what politicians dish out. Two observations I have from the session and those relate to the Budget 2018:
1/ While the Tax Reform was researched and debated there were hardly any lessons learned from the exercise. Didn’t we have the Henry Tax Review to base the Budget on? Instead the government fiddles with promises and tweaks things that will benefit those earning the most in order to increase their chances of having another term in the office..!
2/ Both parties – and to my surprise even the economists speak of a person’s “income” or “earnings” as if that was what they are being taxed on. We know it is not true. If you are old enough to remember Kerry Packer then you know he hardly paid any tax, and as the greatest economic educator told the nation “if you don’t minimise your tax you ought to have your head examined”. So taxation should be based on the person’s gross earnings as well as take into account their assets, otherwise the rich will forever be minimising their obligations. Why do you think every celebrity has a “Charity Foundation”?

And yes – there is one more observation: perpetual perks of elected politicians are not even spoken about, I wonder why, as they cost way more than a statue of Captain Cook!

Most of us who lived before the human caused climate change started should take actions with Myvote https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Uc7wrraiP0&feature=youtu.be look at this 15 minute youtube answer. You might understand how we can do this all far better.

The issues that I find most disturbing are those that effect the most vulnerable. I am enraged by successive govt’s irresponsiblity in regard to Foreign Aid. So much money spent on Captain Cook & not enough on homelessness. Immigration for refugees should be increased & they should be able to receive welfare benefits sooner. Tax cuts for lower incomes should be separate from future proposed tax cuts for the wealthy & big business.