The Federal Government is Broke and I am a Tax Cheat.

The 8th of February 2012, made me realise that the Federal Government really is hard up for money and that government employees have no idea how to perform their job let alone meet KPI's.

I received a letter dated the 8th February 2012, stating :"You may not be eligible for *********** tax refund that you claimed in 2009 and 2010 tax returns."

Claiming that I had not made payment application for benefit **** from Centrelink.

Hate to tell you ATO - but you were WRONG. I had claimed BOTH benefits, one had been accepted, the 2010 period in PAID July 2011 and the 2009 period was denied by Centrelink because Centrelink couldn't "data-match" with ATO records.

I resubmitted the Centrelink claim for benefit **** for the 2009 period and blindly waited for a response. Centrelink guidelines are 28 day turn-around. I advised ATO this was the case and sat back and waited (stupid me)

I re-entered the Centrelink office on the 21st March, they advised me that the claim was still being processed. I asked for a letter confirming this was the case, which I received and duly faxed off to the to Centrelink AND ATO data-matching team office. NO RESPONSE. Exert "As this matter is beyond my ability to solve. I just have to wait and consequently you will also have to wait. This also means that the adjustment to my tax return for the period 2009 can not be enforced until such time as Centrelink data-match information previously provided to them in July 2011."

On the 17th April, low and behold a revised assessment is received from the ATO claiming I owe them $1000. I duly send off ANOTHER letter to both the ATO and Centrelink. No response is received from either party. Exert: "As I have previously explained to you. Centrelink have failed to fulfil their end of the application, regarding benefit **** which was submitted to them on the 27th February 2012. I have now received an amended assessment, which I will not pay until Centrelink either pay or decline my application, which has been submitted. not once BUT twice for this period."

On the 19th April I decide enough is enough and submit a complaint to the Commonwealth Ombudsman. Low and behold within 48 hours I am talking to sane people from both the Ombudsman AND ATO (Not Centrelink)

At NO POINT IN time did ANYONE from Centrelink contact me to discuss this matter, even when escalated to the Commonwealth Ombudsman. NOT ONCE.

The ATO refuse to acknowledge they are wrong in applying a penalty, when evidence obviously shows doubt. They will only extend the payment due date, nothing else. But better than nothing I suppose.

On the 24th April 2012, (57 days after second application) a determination is made in my favour (as I knew it would be) and Centrelink have to pay me (as I knew would be the case.)

I then have to contact the ATO and advise them this is the case. Exert: "The stress you placed upon me was unacceptable and no-one was prepared to accept the fact that I am an honest law-abiding citizen. No wonder people dislike the ATO and staff face issues of verbal abuse, in relation to determinations that are incorrect. and force people to approach the Ombudsman to get things resolved."

The matter is now closed, but the fact that Centrelink did not contact me regarding ANY correspondence sent to them and ATO take 5 days to acknowledge fax or not at all in some cases, is deplorable.

My only conclusion in all of this, is that the Federal Government is broke and they are hoping the Little Mr and Mrs Smith, will just pay up and shut up and save the Government billions in benefits and reap illegal back payments.

Have you had a similar experience?

 My previous run-ins with Centrelink.

Social Security - September 2009
Social Security - Name and Shame - July 2011

**Centrelink finally called me on the 10th May 2012 at 5pm.........

I have Private Health Insurance .......... but for how long?

I haven’t always had private health insurance, not because I chose not to – but because I couldn’t afford to. Now that I can afford private health insurance, I’ve taken it up (as is ‘my duty’) but I am struggling to afford it.

Firstly I’m being penalised because I delayed signing up after I turned 30 (because of finances, due to injuries that prevented me from working.) I joined as soon as I could afford to.

It means that I have a 10-15% loading (penalty) because I delayed. So with every hike in insurance costs, I get a further 10-15% penalty.

Alright – so the government said everyone MUST be insured and if you’re not – we are going to penalize you.

What about a ‘reward’ if you stay signed up for 12+ months? Something like, alright we penalise you for the time it takes you to sign up for health insurance, BUT for every 12 months you stay joined, you get a 1-2% discount every year. Until you are back to the regular rates. You’d still be penalised but not at a rate that may eventually cause you to drop out of said health policy?

Let’s play pretends (with nice round figures)

M’ship length - - Pr Mnth $ - - - % Penalty - - - Total cost - - - Discount - - - Total
1yr - - - - - - - - - -$200 - - - - - - - 10% - - - - - - $220 - - - - - - - 1% - - - - - $218
2yrs - - - - - - - - - $210 - - - - - - - -10% - - - - - - $231 - - - - - - - - 2% - - - - -$226
3yrs - - - - - - - - - $220 - - - - - - - -10% - - - - - - $242 - - - - - - - - 3% - - - - - $235
4yrs - - - - - - - - - $230 - - - - - - - - 10% - - - - - -$253 - - - - - - - - 4% - - - - - $243
5yrs - - - - - - - - - $240 - - - - - - - - 10% - - - - - - $264 - - - - - - - - 5% - - - - - $251
6yrs - - - - - - - - - $250 - - - - - - - - 10% - - - - - - $275 - - - - - - - - 6% - - - - - $259
7yrs - - - - - - - - - $260 - - - - - - - - 10% - - - - - - $286 - - - - - - - - 7% - - - - - $266

So in 8-10 years, things would be back to normal and you might be enticed to stay in said health policy rather than dumping out because you can no longer afford to stay and pay both the yearly hikes and the penalty.

What say you? Are you being penalised the same as me – or don’t you have private insurance because you can’t afford to have it?

I’m beginning to wonder if $250 a month is really worth it – would I be better off putting that money in a high-interest earnings account, paying the 48% interest for having savings in the bank and use that if I need to?

Would love your thoughts.

Noting that I found this artical regarding lifetime health cover loading AKA LHC. There is no expections, no exclusions, and there is a further 2% levy if you fail to maintain your cover (even if due to financial hardship) NO EXEMPTIONS.

Discussion between a Husband and Wife about #DearGerry

Sitting at the dining room table, discussing Harvey Norman

Wife – “Did you hear about the fuss Harvey Norman is making about internet purchases?”
Husband “Yeah, he just wants everyone to pay GST.”
Wife – “Even if people pay GST, it’s still cheaper than buying on-shore mostly. His real argument is no-one should buy off-shore”
Husband – “No, that’s not what he wants, he just wants people to pay GST”
Wife – “No, he doesn’t want people to buy anything offshore, even if they do pay GST. He’s claims that Australian Jobs are being lost, because people are buying off shore.”
Husband – “No, he just wants people to pay GST”
Wife – “Even with the GST, it’s cheaper for me to bypass the likes of Harvey Norman and buy offshore. If Harvey Norman was so worried about Australian Jobs, he’d stock mostly Australian Made products. Instead he sources as much product as possible from overseas, as cheap as possible. Doing exactly what I’m doing, only difference is he has buying power, I have none.”
Husband – “Oh”

**Disclaimer - Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

The green vote - the upcoming Australian Election

I have some pretty interesting conversations sometimes.

The topic of the ‘green’ vote came up after a comment was made about the Melbourne Electorate and that more than likely the vote there would go to the Greens and thus they would hold the seat.

It went something along the lines of:-
The polling indicates that the Seat of Melbourne will be won by the Greens
Reply:-
Yeah, the seat with the biggest Air Conditioners and Plasma TV’s – talk about cynics

Did you know that the Seat of Melbourne has a protected electricity supply? Meaning that if the power goes down state-wide (just saying), that the Melbourne CBD and surrounds would be considered the most urgent and important to get re-instatement.

So the tree-hugging, soy latte types, living in the concrete jungle, get preference, over those actually planting the trees, growing the crops, the meat and trying to survive.

These are the same people that are trying to block the use of cars in the suburbs and saying public transport is the only method of transportation allowed. All fine and well when the nearest bus stop is 500m, but when it’s 5000m OR greater, we are penalised because we use our cars.

Train stations? – Most people in the country don’t have access to trains, because the lines have all been shut. Why? – because transport users stopped using trains because they were unreliable, they were costly and difficult to get to, let alone, try and park and use the train. There is no parking.

Not everyone wants to live in the city, not everyone can live in the city.

The ‘green’ vote although idealistically sound, there are many policies under that green vote, that can’t work for the ordinary man and woman.

I’m all for solar power, I’m all for recycling, reducing and recycling. I’m all for planting trees, and vegetable gardens.

Picking out a few of the points located in the ‘The Greens’ website:-

Health - the public health system is the best way to deliver health services.
Education - ensure the viability and diversity of existing public schools is not endangered by the development of new private schools.
Economics - the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is unfair, regressive and places an unfair burden on individuals and small business.
Climate Change and Energy - facilitate the rollout of smart meters with real-time communications technology and information display with measures to ensure that people who are on low incomes, unemployed or aged are not unfairly penalised.
Immigration and Refugees - house asylum seekers who arrive without a valid visa in publicly owned and managed open reception centres, where entry and exit to these centres are unrestricted except where prohibited for medical or security reasons specified in clause 28.(AAV = asylum application visa)
Sustainable Planning and Transport - increase the tariff on imported four-wheel drive vehicles from 5% to 10% except for primary producers.
Childcare - childcare should be a not-for-profit service.
Environmental Principles - develop and adequately fund fuel reduction burning strategies based on the latest research on scientific fire ecology, fire behavior information and indigenous fire management practices, in consultation with experts, custodians and land managers.

These are just some of the points located at Greens.org.au

I’m not going to pull apart each and every point, in fact I’m not going to pull apart ANY of their policies. I just want you to stop and think before you put pen to paper and think ‘Is this what I want for my future? Is this what I want for my family? Is the cost of implementation too high socially and economically?

It's your vote, make it count. Remember food comes from somewhere and it has to be transported to you, how much more will it cost?

If the public health system is the best way to improve our health, why are the hospitals struggling now, when private health insurance is almost mandatory?

If the cost of electricity is already high, how much higher will it be with the implementation of 'smart' meters? - Can you really financially afford it?

On the 21st August make YOUR VOTE count.

A Cowboy named Bud

A cowboy named Bud was overseeing his herd in a remote pasture in New South Wales when suddenly a brand-new BMW advanced toward him out of a cloud of dust.

The driver, a young man in a Brioni suit, Gucci shoes, RayBan sunglasses and YSL tie, leaned out the window and asked the farmer, "If I tell you exactly how many cows and calves you have in your herd, Will you give me a calf?"

Bud looks at the man, obviously a yuppie, then looks at his peacefully grazing herd and calmly answers, "Sure, Why not?"

The yuppie parks his car, whips out his Dell notebook computer, connects it to his Cingular RAZR V3 cell phone, and surfs to a NASApage on the Internet, where he calls up a GPS satellite to get an exact fix on his location which he then feeds to another NASA satellite that scans the area in an ultra-high-resolution photo.

The young man then opens the digital photo in Adobe Photoshop and exports it to an image processing facility in Hamburg , Germany .

Within seconds, he receives an email on his Palm Pilot that the image has been processed and the data stored. He then accesses an MS-SQL database through an ODBC connected Excel spreadsheet with email on his Blackberry and, after a few minutes, receives a response.

Finally, he prints out a full-color, 150-page report on his hi-tech, miniaturized HP LaserJet printer, turns to the cowboy and says, "You have exactly 1,586 cows and calves."

"That's right. Well, I guess you can take one of my calves," says Bud.

He watches the young man select one of the animals and looks on with amusement as the young man stuffs it into the trunk of his car.

Then Bud says to the young man, "Hey, if I can tell you exactly what your business is, will you give me back my calf?"

The young man thinks about it for a second and then says, "Okay, why not?"

"You're a senator in Kevin Rudd's Labour Government", says Bud.

"Wow! That's correct," says the yuppie, "but how did you guess that?"

"No guessing required." answered the cowboy. "You showed up here even though nobody called you; you want to get paid for an answer I already knew, to a question I never asked. You used millions of dollars worth of equipment trying to show me how much smarter than me you are; and you don't know a thing about how working people make a living - or about cows, for that matter. This is a herd of sheep. ...

Now give me back my dog.

**as arrived in my inbox tonight! Enjoy it and have a giggle

The Ferals, The fines, The Warrants, The Sherriffs

In 2005, the house up the road went up for sale, the couple who owned it were moving into the township, closer to amenities etc. New neighbours are a little like a lucky dip, you don’t know what you’re getting until you remove the shiny outer layer.

Well we got a winner, all bogan, moccasin wearing, VB swilling, V8 ute manic driving, his and her relationship with 20 years between the eldest child and youngest child. The joys.

At first it was okay – they were as nice as pie, invited us over for the inevitable BBQ’s, which we more often than not declined. These nights involved massive amount of alcohol. Very loud music and the bonus of the smell of burning rubber as they did burn outs in the top of the court.

When the complaints about the burn-outs resulted in police attending – they then took the vehicles paddock bashing. The last ‘bash’ saw a reasonable Toyota Landcruiser on its side in the dam, and left there for the new owners to retrieve, remove and dispose of some 12 months later. 5 years later you can still see the last effort at paddock bashing which went until 4am in the morning, with to the accompaniment of loud music and plenty of loud swearing!

In between all this – new furniture constantly arrived, garages turned into bedrooms, bedrooms, turned into animal cages, obsolete white goods thrown into the backyard, along with busted TV’s, that someone had fallen against last Tuesday and dropped it to the floor.

The neighbours down the road have the unfortunate coincidence of having the same surname as this residence. Phone calls at midnight received from police, your son’s here, intoxicated, needs a lift home. Your dog is at the pound, come and pick him up. I think you get the drift.

Finally murmurs were heard that they were having trouble paying the mortgage. A For sale sign went up. 30 days later the property was sold for a princely sum, well under normal market value. But who cares the neighbours from hell (The Ferals) left – Well we thought they had.

The first knowledge (besides the For Sale sign) that had left was the lack of noise emanating from the premises. It was silent. The house was still fully-furnished, 2 cars in the process of being ‘done-up’ were still in the shed. The beer bottles were still 4ft high against the back of shed.

Peace and tranquility returns to the street, or so we thought.

It’s now 2010 and letters continue to arrive, sheriffs constantly knocking at the door. Phones continue to ring for lost animals. The Ferals have not left the street. The mail is sent back, ‘unknown, return to sender’

The current residents have rung the sheriff’s office, they have been told, we can’t take your word that they no longer reside there. A state dec. will not be considered. If a Sheriffs notice arrives on the 1st of the month, you know that the knock on the door the following 5th of the month, will be the sheriffs. It is never ending. Only last week the neighbours down the road, received a call from the council, the dog was in the pound again.

It is known where they live, yet no authority will take the word of an honest citizen, so the cycle continues.

It is happening all the time, as I was alerted by this post
http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/app-my-state/view-idea-submissions/item/root/not-at-this-address-register.html

What avenues are available to the honest law-abiding citizen? – None that we are aware of.

So much for suspension of registrations etc for non-payment of fines, it’s NOT working. We have first-hand experience.

Taxes, Taxes, Budget in 2010 and Smoking

The poor smoke AND drink, the rich drink. The newest, shiniest, soon to be released budget is toting all sorts of healthcare funding, some community groups are saying raise the taxes on tobacco products by 25%, that will help fund the health component of this budget.

Now let’s be fair, if you are going to raise the cost of tobacco related products by 25%, then let’s raise the cost of alcohol related products by 25% also. All’s fair in love and war.

Remember both 'bad' habits are legal, smoking is taxed already beyond what would be considered normal, and the only reason the government gets away with it, is the addictive nature of the product.

Why doesn't the government sponsor people to undergo 'treatment' to assist them in stopping, smoking and drinking? The reason why they don't, it would defeat the purpose of putting the taxes up.

They want the profits, they want you to smoke and drink, and they would be the first to complain when the margins dropped when people DID STOP drinking and smoking.

And that is all I’m going to say on this matter today!

How to stop drink drivers

Courtesy of Ms18 who has acquired P plates and can’t understand why people are so stupid and insist on consuming alcohol and then drink driving, without a thought for other road users.

Her idea is civilian manned booze buses with 1 or 2 sworn in officers – running 24/7, in shifts of 6 hours. Switching locations every 6 hours (at change of shift) Perhaps 10 vehicles – working 7 days a week and being on the roads constantly.

This would create more employment for civilians AND reduce the manpower required by the police force to maintain the drink/driving campaign presence on the roads.

This could be backed up with uniformed officers, running drug and road worthy checks, along with the camera operated licence plate checks, which new technology allows for.

This would:-
1. Reduce the number of drink drivers
2. Reduce the number of police required to man such operations
3. Increase civilian employment
4. Reduce the number of drug affected drivers
5. Reduce the number of unlicenced drivers on the roads
6. Reduce the number of unregistered vehicles on the road
7. Reduce the number of unroadworthy vehicles on the roads

I can’t see anything against it – The only thing missing is someone taking the bull by the horns and actually implementing it.

Your thoughts and ideas?

I think it is a BRILLIANT idea and coming from an 18yo, makes it even shinier, brighter and smarter than any idea your average politician could think up.

Death in A Can.

We all know the names, Black Stallion, Buzz Monkey, Cocaine, Hero, Lift Plus, Lucozade, Mother, Red Bull, Red Eye, Rock, Rockstar, V – We ALL know someone who has tasted one of these products at least once in their life, perhaps they have had more than a ‘taste’.

I am targeting one brand at the moment that appears to breaking all sorts of moral rules and regulations.

I am currently looking at a can of Rockstar energy drink, no big deal you say, this can is 710ml in volume, 22cm tall and 7cm in diameter and it looks HUGE. I mean a can of coke is just over ½ the size of this can.

The can itself, other than looking HUGE looks harmless UNTIL you roll the can over and read:- Usage: Consume no more than 500ml per day. Yet this can is packaged at 710ml – so who in their right mind would measure half the can, then re-seal it, so that it may be consumed the day after?

Why is this company that admits there are health concerns (Product contains caffeine. This product is not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women, or individuals sensitive to caffeine. Consume responsibly) package their money earning products in such volumes which they openly admit is over the daily limit?

(please click to enlarge)


*All figures are above the RDI (Recommended Daily Intake)

These drinks are advertised as giving you a pick-me-up when you are a little tired, giving you more energy and get up and go than any other product on the market.

Some of the health concerns raised are:- severe tooth decay, heart problems, tooth staining, liver damage, kidney damage, diabetes, Nausea, vomiting.

Deaths have occurred when mixing Vodka and Energy Drinks. Some countries have banned the product from being retailed in the country due to health concerns.

Some confirmed health issues are whole mouth tooth decay, reduction in bone density, which leads to fractures and breaks, aggression, heart palpitations, kidney failure, liver failure, headaches, heart failure, dehydration.

These are just some of the concerns, along with the manufacturers OWN Admission that the product is not recommended for children or individuals sensitive to caffeine.

At what age are you considered no longer a child and who is monitoring the purchase of these products? If a milkbar owner sells one of these cans to a child of 14-15yo – who is monitoring the milkbar owner?

Is it his responsibility or should these products be removed from sale and only be allowed sold on/in licensed premises?

Your thoughts and ideas appreciated - perhaps the voices of the public need to be heard above the voices of the conusmers?

Let your thoughts be known!

Volunteers.

Where would we be without them? – This is a question that you the tax paying public needs to ask yourself.

Volunteers of any nature are my heroes, they find time to help the community, where many just say they don’t have time. Without volunteers, the cost to government would be enormous. I don’t think the government would be able to manage the budget without the thousands of unpaid volunteers, who do their job for them.

The QLD Government using the ABS statistics from the 2006 census estimate that volunteering saves the government something like $5.91 billion.

The SA Government using the ABS statistics from the 2006 census estimate that volunteering saves the government something like $4.98 billion.

The WA Government using the ABS Statistics from the 2006 census estimate that volunteering saves the government something like $6.6 billion.

The Victorian Government using the ABS Statistics from the 2006 Census estimates that volunteering saves the government something like $10 billion.

In total it is estimated that $42 billion per annum is the ‘true value of volunteering’ for the Australian Government and states. http://www.volunteernetwork.org.au/documents/VolunteeringinAustralia-FactsandFigures.pdf

Some states appear to have more of an appreciation of volunteers than others, here is Tasmania’s thoughts when it comes to volunteers – just have a look at these ideas for appreciating their volunteers – all 101 of them. http://www.development.tas.gov.au/sportrec/information_for_organisations/hosting_volunteers/volunteer_recognition

Congratulations and thank-you to all volunteers, without you I am sure we, the public would be paying more taxes and many older people would be lonely and the younger in society would be lost. Thank-you to our volunteer emergency services personnel, you do a fantastic job, be it at the fun fair or the fire-fight or the local sports event.

Thank-you to all and sundry and remember it doesn’t take much to offer your services. It might just be popping into the local primary school once a week to read a book to children.

Do you volunteer anywhere? – Leave your thoughts and suggestions.

I have just became aware that the weekend just past was International Volunteer Day - what timing! - This post was written sometime in late November!

To all volunteers out there - thank-you from the bottom of my heart and anyone that has benefited from a volunteer, leave your thank-yous.

I know I am thankful!

Social Security

I have not dealt with social security for 10 years, maybe longer for the simple reason that the last time I walked in the door - they treated me like s*** and I refused to allow myself to be placed in the same position ever again.

Well, today after 10years I decided stuff it, I watch everyone else reap the rewards of being government loving leeches, so why can't I?

I walk in the door, wait in line, like a good little leech. Reach the desk only to be told by "J" that I have to apply online. Keeping in mind I am not on their lists, I have no participated in the leeching from the government for 10 years, even though I have 2 children and our household some years has managed to survive on as little as $30k a year and still manage to pay off a mortgage and put petrol in the car. (Still haven't figured out how we did it)

Anyway, walked out of said office with a throw over my shoulder of "No wonder, I swore I would never come in here, it's only for losers, suckers and leeches" - God knows why - I think I let my temper get the best of me :(

I get home and figure stuff it - I want my little bit of leeching, same as everyone else, hell I haven't leeched for 10 years, so now I will.

I ring the help line..... and low and behold get a very nice lady by the name of "A" to whom I explained the scenario and she walked me though the entire process and apologised for "J's" rudeness.

Tomorrow's task shall be the online application of what "A" has taught me and perhaps finding the number for complaints for poor customer service. I am sure the Government would like to know that their service to the leeches sucks .