ESSP Discrimination of the highest order

[Brad]

I remember a similar bonus back in 2004, I heard figures of what some of the pokie machines took during that time, it was massive! it will just get wasted and not get to the kids that need it.

[Q.]

I remember a similar bonus back in 2004, I heard figures of what some of the pokie machines took during that time, it was massive! it will just get wasted and not get to the kids that need it.

You have actual figures or is this just hearsay?

[wycbloods]

I remember a similar bonus back in 2004, I heard figures of what some of the pokie machines took during that time, it was massive! it will just get wasted and not get to the kids that need it.

You have actual figures or is this just hearsay?

I will guess that one

[A Mum]

I don't want to judge anybody... but with regards to the money/kids.... it's the same as anything/everything.

Some people will do the right thing and the money will be a godsend
Some people will do the wrong thing and make everyone else look bad

Same old same old

[Dutchy]

I don't want to judge anybody... but with regards to the money/kids.... it's the same as anything/everything.

Some people will do the right thing and the money will be a godsend
Some people will do the wrong thing and make everyone else look bad

Same old same old

and some people wont get the chance to do either....

[Sheik Yerbouti]

That's just plain irresponsible, not about to waste Punkys generous financial gesture so I'm putting mine on red.

And mine and Silent Bob's generosity too Sheik!
All you people breeding (sigh!).

No need to worry Gracie, I've already got in touch with the powers that be & have requested that all my bonus comes from Punkys tax revenue. Almost like child maintenance really.

[Booney]

Fair bit of fuss for a figure that wont really change people's lives too much.

Move on.

[Dutchy]

Fair bit of fuss for a figure that wont really change people's lives too much.

Move on.

Dont have an opinion on it?

Id argue that a family with 4 kids a tax free hand out of $4k would be pretty significant if say only $45k pre tax is coming into the house, used properly if could provide all sorts of benefits

[MagicKiwi]

I would question the wisdom of having four children on that income.

[Dutchy]

It was like the opening of the olympics this morning

"Let the spending begin" on the radio coming into work and everyone calling it a "bonus", I though a bonus was something you earned?

Even retailers advertising "come spend your bonus with us" makes you feel like throwing up

I can see the publicans ordering the new lap pool right now....theres another thread altogether

[Dutchy]

Don't blow $10bn on booze, gambling

FAMILIES and pensioners cashing in on the Federal Government's $10.4 billion handout package today have been warned not to waste it all on booze and pokies.

The Government is handing over $4.8 billion to pensioners and $3.9 billion to families in a bid to to keep cash flowing through the economy and ward off a wave of sackings from money-starved businesses.

Parents will receive $1000 for each child while single aged-pensioners will receive lump sum payments of $1400 and couples $2100. For the plan to work, the money needs to be spent not saved.

Opposition frontbencher and former health minister Tony Abbott has said he does not begrudge struggling families getting a one-off payment to spend before Christmas, but he fears some could blow the chance to help the economy.

"There are very credible fears that at least some families, particularly in some areas, are going to be spending this money on booze and gambling and so on and that's a pity," Mr Abbott said on ABC Television.

"I am not saying that families don't need the money. Obviously I don't begrudge families doing it rough this extra money," he said.

But he did query what effect the stimulus package would have on the federal budget, saying accumulated Coalition surpluses were being run down by Labor. "We don't seem to be getting any real reform for all the spending that the Government is doing."

The Government has just one message: spend, spend, spend.

"There are obviously some people who have very significant debt, but people can make their own decisions, their own choices," Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner said on ABC radio.

"We hope those who can will spend the money - whether it's buying a new washing machine, some more presents for the kids or a little trip away."

Mr Tanner said people should remember some pressures had eased recently, with interest rates dropping significantly and petrol prices falling back to around $1 per litre.

"This money is additional money, people weren't budgeting for it," he said. "It's money that has been provided deliberately by the Government in order to stimulate spending.

"If everybody retreats into their shells then that will make the situation much worse."

[am Bays]

Well after having to buy a new computer in August, a new timing belt put into a rebadged Opel in Oct, a hot waterservice replaced in Nov and fridge starting to crack the the sh!ts our bonus will be spent on giving our kids a Christmas as well as putting new shoes on our cars - something that has been put off with other expenses (see above).

Not that we struggle per se, but with the money we had put aside from our TAX cheques for Xmas presents this year having to be spent elsewere the $2000 is well and truly needed.

Dutchy I feel your pain having just missed out but the vast majority of people will use this money wisely and in the manner for which it is intended.

[Punk Rooster]

don't forget, you can spend your bonus on Pest Control people!

[Dutchy]

Well after having to buy a new computer in August, a new timing belt put into a rebadged Opel in Oct, a hot waterservice replaced in Nov and fridge starting to crack the the sh!ts our bonus will be spent on giving our kids a Christmas as well as putting new shoes on our cars - something that has been put off with other expenses (see above).

Not that we struggle per se, but with the money we had put aside from our TAX cheques for Xmas presents this year having to be spent elsewere the $2000 is well and truly needed.

Dutchy I feel your pain having just missed out but the vast majority of people will use this money wisely and in the manner for which it is intended.

agree Tas, majority will put it to good use like yourself and good luck to you

As for me Plan B has commenced, ive got 7 months to find more tax deductions as this will be paid retrospectively if I can reduce our taxable income for 08/09 year

> I can now access my work systems at home therefore can claim internet costs as a deduction $1k there to start with, presume I could probably claim depreciation on our PC's also, will need to confirm though

[Dutchy]

don't forget, you can spend your bonus on Pest Control people!

Do you do* SturtPeter?

[Dirko]

don't forget, you can spend your bonus on Pest Control people!

Do you do* SturtPeter?

[Dutchy]

Suprise Suprise




$15 million of Kevin Rudd's economic stimulus bonus blown on pokies

POKER machines won out with the Federal Government's stimulus package, which has been blamed for a $15 million boost in revenue in Queensland.

More than $167 million was spent playing poker machines in December – 10 per cent above the previous month's $152 million.

It was also significantly higher than for the same period in 2007, The Sunday Mail reports.

In 2007, punters spent $156 million in November and $153 million in December.

The big jump last year clearly coincided with the Federal Government's $10 billion handout on December 8, aimed to be spent in the retail sector to energise the slowing economy.

But it seems many Queenslanders poured the money into the pokies, hoping to turn it into a massive pay-day.

The pre-Christmas gambling rise also bucked the downward pokie trend Queensland had experienced since August's record high of $173 million.

Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser said he was disappointed by the figures, which were officially released yesterday on the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing website.

"Frankly, I would have preferred if the figures had declined," he said.

Relationships Australia Queensland chief executive officer Andrew Davis said he believed the spike was linked to the federal stimulus package.

"It was likely that if the Government wanted it spent on consumption spending and spent quickly, that some people would spend it on things like electronic gaming machines," he said.

A spokesman for Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan would not say whether Mr Swan agreed some of the funds had been gambled away.

"The Government has taken decisive action to strengthen the economy and support jobs and we've encouraged responsible spending," the spokesman said. He refused to elaborate.

Mr Davis said he could only hope the impact was temporary.

"Overall, we hope the community is getting the message that responsible gambling is the way to go," he said.

Mr Davis said more than a third of the money put into poker machines was spent by gamblers with a severe pokie addiction.

It had a negative impact on the gambler, and also on families, with children often suffering the most.

[Punk Rooster]

the governmet would've realised they'd be getting the money back...

[TroyGFC]

If they were serios about the money being spent in retail why didnt they give out vouchers for xmas pressies. If the pokie addicts wanted to sell them the money still would have been spent on the right thing.

BTW still waiting for my bonus Mr Rudd!

[Thiele]

Only spent $600 of my $1400 bonus