Welcome to the column where you provide the content. The government announced this week that $25,000 cash grants would be handed out under the HomeBuilder stimulus package to help build new homes or renovate existing properties while driving new work for tradies. Ronald was ropeable:
“As a self funded retiree I have some money set aside which I would normally be happy to spend, but will not do so as I expect the government will see me as a prime target when taxing people to help reduce the massive debt.
“This gift to undeserving tradies, who are so busy they won’t even quote, is just a complete waste of money. The motive is completely political as the Liberals know tradies often swing a seat either to the left or right. Smart move by them, but terrible for the country.”
No rejoicing from Johnson:
‘I doubt that the people who can afford $150k renovations are really in need of a government handout … if they wanted to help tradies they should have made it $5k grants for renos worth $30-60k or something. More tradies would be in work as the scheme would actually be accessible to more than just the elite 1-2pc of people.”
Linda’s wishlist:
“Maybe even include rental properties … so many tenants miss out on improved conditions because the grants never apply to rental properties. Not all landlords have a pocket full of cash. And tenants often forget that their landlords pay higher rates (without any discount, for some inexplicable reason), pay for their water, their smoke alarms, their pest control, also insurance, commissions, maintenance and repairs.
“The payback for the owner hopefully is an appreciating asset and given the current climate for housing that don’t look so good! So $25k to give my tenants an extra bathroom/toilet I reckon would be money well spent and I am happy to add to that as required. I would not even put the rent up.”
William, it was really nothing:
“This will do nothing but drive up prices. Who in their right mind would be spending over $150k to renovate to get $25k in this world with jobs in jeopardy. If you’ve got over $250k then you don’t need a hand out. Start by doing a direction to open borders and get everyone go back to normal … Oh and thanks for stuffing my kids future up as well so a tradie can go pimp his 70 series $75,000 dollar ute.”
Another Ronald reckoned:
“William, this is what stimulus initiatives are all about. Getting people to spend money … ie circulate money as widely as possibly. It is not about charity and it is not a welfare program either. The government is trying to entice people with money to start spending (circulating) their money so others get some of it via payments for products or services rendered. A man with no money has no way or means of circulating his money. That’s why he get welfare benefits (the taxpayer’s dollar).”
Conrad’s calculations:
“Those with it have not got it by putting up the minimum spend requirements without doing some ROI sums. So doing a basic sum of $25,000 divided by $150,000 yields a 16.66pc leg up but will you get that back on sale? Or would it be better to dump the $125,000 into super and buy Brickworks shares?
“Be nice to have the choice — 80pc might be income eligible but do they have that sort of spare cash? And the security to know they can repay? Hmm, seems designed for one target group: middle income federal, state and council public servants IMO.”
Monique moaned:
“Tradies will now automatically charge higher prices given this stimulus package
This type of stimulus always attracts rorting.”
Plain Clothed Rebel:
“Imagine the delays and cost blowouts on smaller project. I can hear then rubbing their hands together.”
Rejected grumbled:
“I guess I’ll be putting off my planned sub 100k renovation then. It’s hard enough getting a quote as it is.”
David had doubts:
“Looks like no one will qualify. Who has a house worth less than $1.5mill and has a lazy $150,000 sitting around? Most have mortgages they can’t afford. Plus, for a major work you need a DA. It just took me 6 months to get one approved! The package will be over before anyone gets approval. And now my renovation is probably going to cost $25,000 more which means I will likely delay it.”
Sydney said:
“I did three bathrooms last year at a cost of $50,000. Even adding in a MasterChef style kitchen reno would not get close to $150,000!”
eM’s assessment:
“The numbers make no sense. The income restriction is fine if you’re trying to target those who would need the $25k grant the most, but why go put a minimum on building works? Spending at least $150k when you’re on $125k (single) or $200k (couple) per year is unwise.
I suppose people getting a new home built would benefit — they’re already taking out a hefty mortgage anyway. This $25k is a bonus for them.”
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The Mocker bemoaned how in the wake of the US riots, Antifa was enjoying the backing of useful idiots in Australia’s left-wing media. No likes from Mike:
“Antifa is an adjective, not an organisation. Twitter recently disabled an ‘Antifa’ account promoting violence on US streets. On investigation it was found to be a far right group, Evropa, operating out of Europe. Far right groups in the US have also been found to stir up trouble by claiming to be Antifa. There’s something wrong when Antifa is condemned but the far more dangerous far right groups such as the torch and assault rifle bearing Proud Boys are praised as being very good people.”
Chris countered:
“Anti fascist is just what they claim to be. Even if they (or some of them) are opposed to fascism the reality is something else altogether. The ‘antifa’ label is just clever marketing. They are nasty, violent thugs.”
Mark mooted:
“The problem with Antifa is not they are against fascism, the vast majority of Australians are of course. The problem with Antifa is in their redefining of fascism to mean western style government structures, and then proposing violent revolution and disruption as a moral path for change. Easy to draw parallels with organisations like ISIS, and now they have shown they are willing to act on it if given half a chance. Anti-Fascists is a front, in reality they are the fascists, willing to commit violence on people who oppose their world view. It’s concerning to see media and high profile celebrities supporting them.”
Marty T agreed:
“No respect for the bias of the left led by the above-mentioned activist commentators who continue to ignore the reprehensible actions of the rioters and revolutionaries and confuse them as so-called peaceful demonstrators.”
David was disturbed:
“The thing that greatly disturbs me about the national broadcaster is that it has become a massively divisive force in our society. It trips over itself in its enthusiasm to try and draw parallels between what is happening in the US and here. Do they really want to import the dysfunction of America to this country as well? Is this part of their charter? As has been mentioned many times they need to be held to account.”
On Reflection reflected:
“I think for many ‘progressives’ and left-leaning journalists the ‘enemy’ is simply a construct of their own minds. I wonder if they ever look outside the cave of their own prejudices and conceits.
“This is a good mirror Mocker but will they recognise the reflection? As a society we need relevant critique and reflection but many of the current overly represented voices are locked in their ideas of the world of their undergrad selves.
“They have made a god of their own ideas of the world. They have lost the ability to critique themselves or others like them. They see themselves as fighting the good fight. But again I ask who is the enemy? They waste their real opportunity and space to make the world a better and happier place for all. They burn all for nothing.”
Geoff’s guess:
“Antifa is Doublespeak for an organisation of fascists and bigots. We all read 1984 and all know what Newspeak and Doublethink is. Doublespeak is much the same thing, its where we say one thing but it is actually the opposite.
“They are certainly the new fascists. They use what they call ‘direct action’, which others simply call violence. They use it against those who disagree with them and they, like all progressives, cannot tolerate dissent. Like the good little fascists they are, they exclude those others through violence, lies and bigotry.”
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Josh Frydenberg announced a tough new test for all foreign investment bids for sensitive assets, with the Treasurer reserving “last-resort” powers to force assets to be sold or to impose conditions even after a sale is approved if national security is at risk. Hear hear, said HowardAp:
“A beginners list for immediate review and action:
Port of Darwin.
Port of Newcastle.
Merredin aerodrome in W.A.
Victorian BRI ‘agreement.’
All foreign investments in agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, cattle and dairying, power, gas, and water and electronic communications.
Financial grants and loans to the education sector; Confucius Institutes at Univerities.
Van Diemen’s Land Company, at Woolnorth, North West Tasmania.
Old Peoples Homes developments on East coast of Tasmania.
Chinese bases on The Australian Antarctic Territory, where the PRC does not recognise Australian sovereignty, and which are widely understood to breach agreements to be for ‘scientific research’ only but are suspected of assisting Chinese military satellite positioning and intercepting allied civil and defence communications.
Residential properties and suburban land.
A marron farm on Kangaroo Island S.A.
Aeronautical schools teaching foreign pilots.”
Laraine added:
“I am totally opposed to the sale of any rural lands that produce agricultural products. Let Australia produce it, sell it to other countries and pay taxes on the sale which benefits our country. Chinese owned farms produce it and export it back to China. No tax, no benefit.
Well done HowardApp on your research. We have all thought it. You have shown it.”
Brad (the quiet Australian)’s belter:
“Belt and Road would be at the top of the list. Port leases are exactly that — a lease. They can already be cancelled at any time without compensation.”
Tim saw a silver lining:
“Just fantastic. We’ve been so terribly naive. At least one good thing arising from COVID-19 is that the scales have begun to fall from our eyes.”
Helen lost hope:
“Far too little, far too late! Prime agricultural land, water rights, many dairy farms, mines, and many many houses already owned by overseas interests. Leasing the ports of Darwin and Newcastle to the Chinese has to be a major mistake. The government has not listened to its people.”
Steven’s suggestion:
“The PM and Treasurer need to be congratulated for this. They are reflecting public sentiment.
As a further step in security the PM may want to allow ASIO to conduct a review of our universities’ staff. China’s Thousand Talents Plan, according to the FBI, ‘seeks to lure foreign experts to consult with China and reward individuals for stealing proprietary information.’”
Last word to Cynanmak:
“More importantly, the Chinese are using Australian property as a means to park their wealth, away from the long arms of the Chinese communist party. Do we want to be a part of this game? If they want, let them overthrow their brutal regime — then their money will be safe in Chinese banks.”
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