spenaroo

So question.... with the original title. is anyone actually still a supporter of the guy? no judgment of opinion. just curious with all the bashing that goes on here

People are happy to pay tax. when they see the benefits as the late Kerry Packer famously said, “I don’t know anybody that doesn’t minimise their tax … Of course I’m minimising my tax. If anybody in this country doesn’t minimise their tax they want their head read. As a government I can tell you you’re not spending it that well that we should be paying extra”.

First thing I would do is look at Centrelink. my biggest issue when I first had depression at 19 was funding. I was under 25 - which meant I was means tested on my parents wages. so didn't qualify for new-start etc... then despite the diagnosis and letters from my doctors that I could not work. I had to have an interview with a center-link worker. where I was rejected for funding on the basis that there was no proof my "injury" would prohibit me from working long term. (i.e. no set period of recovery - could be a month could be years. but because the possibility that it could be weeks it was knocked back) I was very fortunate with family support me. but you know, at 19 I had a roof over my head. but no way to access money to have any feeling of independence. the nursing home is a weird double standard now I think of it. perfectly happy to put the elderly in there. but not create the same environment for someone who is young and disabled. (then get outraged when there are cases when young people are in these homes as its the best place in the system for them)

oh I would have voluntarily put myself in these institutions at different points in my life. as would others I know with mental illness. but instead we get given 10 bulk billed psych appointments a year on the "mental health plan". which we still have to pay half for out of pocket because bulk billing rates are so low. we are just really really shit at funding mental health. everyone knows, no-one wants to do anything as it would suck up so much funding to be done right. and if its not done right, would be forever a thorn in the side for the party that implemented it. so the status quo doesn't change lets not forget that Asylum means safe place. a mental asylum - is a safe mental place. maybe the idea of the sanatorium is worth bringing back too.

what happened to philanthropy, the Peabody, Rothschild, Rockefeller, Carnegie (gave away 90% of his fortune) earned vast fortunes and spent it on medical research, the arts, public libraries (Carnegie established over 2500), restoring historic landmarks and buildings. then again look at the public's recent vilification of Bill Gates over vaccines

We are not a clever country, we are a lucky country. and despite what our politicians think that is not a positive moniker. yeah the EV is a good example of growth, rapid expansion, building before sales (but was all done with the mentality of growing the market, growing production, growing the business) the reality hits and the house of cards collapses why, because if management said they would build the same number of cars as last year - they would be sacked. but its an mentality that comes from the top down. a stagnant business is almost seen, as being the same as loss making. no one is rewarded for keeping things where they are

Growth is not perpetual. I still firmly believe that the obsession with year on year growth in business will be our undoing. when was the last time you heard "holding the economy" or "retaining the economy" its always focused on growth

was talking about it more over the weekend and contacted some teacher friends. they said it was a case by case basis. But wonder how some got through primary school with it. they also mentioned that there is a lot less writing practice - partly because its so hard to get them to bring a notebook to class. also heard that its been an issue with exams - kids getting cramps in their hands from handwriting them. and they have had to extend the times to accommodate this

On another note, was handing out the fencing gear at training the other night. we tried a new system where they wrote down the gear they had on a slip so we could easily mark it in the records. well I was really struggling to read the names. we refuse to take on students under the age of 10 (its a focus and time thing - its a 2 hour night and they struggle, would need 1 on 1 attention) and many of these are studying year 11/12. but there was no discernible difference in ages from the writing one of the kids mum's was helping me and saw my confusion and struggle - she remarked "they dont teach kids how to write anymore"" how things change - was 15 years ago I was in school, and was just starting to transition to laptops, my younger sisters both had computers for school. guess the transition has happened - typing has taken over from writing. the same parent was saying that the kids don't even hand-write notations anymore.

I've always liked the idea of the mens shed, and think it would be hugely beneficial for people like myself (32) to gain skills and insight. imagine it would benefit both ways with having fit and able bodies to drive members or move projects etc... but when I looked into it they all had operating hours which are prohibitive to working full time. or were age restricted so instead its buying my own tools etc... and relying on youtube or internet how to's

Eh, I see the whole industry collapsing. went completely nuts during Covid. could not build them fast enough. and so many new brands and smaller brands expanded. there are more caravan dealerships then car dealerships in my area.... last 4wd and camping show none of them were under 100K. (except the humble Jayco) I know they had order books full for 2 years... but a lot has changed in 12 months and would be surprised if the market hasn't crashed with the rise in interest rates. question is why it failed? did they continue cranking them out and have a bunch on lots unsold, that killed the cash flow? consignment interest rates are horrendous

Oh yeah, you have no idea how scary some of these can be.... cant share here as too public, but often screenshot the most shocking and share in a chat group with friends. its pretty unbelievable.

You should see the dating app profiles I wade through every night. there is a lot of women who have no issue with being bold and to the point

those who get it, get it. those who don't, don't. my father was shaking his head disapprovingly when my brother-inlaw and I moved it in. honestly it started as just a novelty. doing it because I always said I would. but every-time I pass it, it brings me joy. I just enjoy looking at it. and running my hand over it. so far have resisted the temptation to start it indoors. (has a Termigoni race system on it, with no cats) it will stay there through winter - as its on seasonal registration. its a mechanical sculpture, till spring when it will come out so I can ride it again. the other bike a Vstrom 1000 lives outside and I have no desire to put it on display. its not the same as the Ducati. I dont have the same attachment, or sense of pride about it. and its one of the uglier motorcycles. its practical not emotional. I dont think every motorcycle is art worthy of display.... but there are quite a few that I think are.

Thread Resurrection. to continue the discussion off the other thread. I was partly inspired to ride movie Tron Legacy. and especially the home he has with the motorcycles in the living room. I always said I would do the same thing when I got my own place. well its taken me a while, with rentals and units etc... that didn't allow me to do it. by not I have my own house. I have achieved that dream. even have a black naked Ducati (that has its own story) might not be the sports classic of the film. but I adore this Monster

I think it comes up in a police check - used to be standard part of employment with working in motorcycle dealerships. from memory a former worker couldn't return due to it

the school one is a real danger. was dating now friends with a woman who escaped a controlling relationship. legally she has to have the fathers details with the school.... ... well her daughter was sick and when the first call didnt go through to her, the school called the father who came and picked her up. (the same father who the courts have ruled against knowing the current address etc...) you can imagine the stress and problems that caused her- luckily she got her daughter back from him. but it was a very difficult and emotional time. I like the idea of an ankle monitor mandatory with any AVO. shows the irrefutable proof to the court without the victim having to be burdened with it. and hopefully make people think twice before ignoring them, even if its just a physical reminder of it.

What is surprising to me is I keep hearing the same story from women I've dated. they got married and immediately things changed with the partner expecting a "traditional wife" some one who is subservient to them and to be in control - this leads to the abuse (including trying to get them pregnant without consent). marriages failed within a month or three. you would think its the outlier... but 3 women in 12 months I personally know, have the same story and trauma that they are working through in the aftermath

I dont agree with Prohibition but think that being under the influence of alcohol or "recreational" drugs should be stripped away as any defense in court. you chose to impair your ability to think - the consequences should be the same. no issues with prescription meds etc... lowering the responsibility with side effects.

Im a sabruer, but can fence all three weapons. Currently have a level 1 (basic) coaching certificate for epee, just applied to get on the course for sabre. Its been a great environment for me. Very supportive and a small sport where you know all of your competitors. I've swapped a bit more to coaching then competing as I wanted to give back to the club. And also struggling with my body getting to move how I want it too My fencing coach also does it with a local private school. Think its more of a trial then an competition program.

Yeah, I think a significant portion of my struggle was growing up in the church. I was never the athlete like my brother (ironically I have found success in fencing later in life, and the only one to have it as a large part of my life, as an adult) feel more comfortable with who I am now I dont have to try and conform to that life My Father recently let slip that he thinks of all the kids I would have benefited the most from a private school. (us boys went to public schools, the girls to private schools) he just didn't know at the time how to help me grow. I am the opposite to him in many ways. what is beneficial to him, is harmful to me But I see a lot of confusion with the kids I coach in fencing, at the start of each term we get briefed on which kids are which gender at the moment. there are several who are gender fluid and change regularly - some are gender neutral. as for going back to the original topic with mens violence against women... sadly one of the biggest factors is also family. had an Ex, which had to get an AVO on the mother of her rapist, because she was bashing on the doors/windows saying she was ruining her sons life over a mistake

I am going to go opposite, in my opinion. one of the best books that helped me through adolescence was "secret mens business" by John Marsden (best known for his fiction "tomorrow, when the war began") he discuses lots of concepts like beating your father (that moment when you surpass him something - he is no longer the unassailable figure) but also aggression, and channeling it. men are aggressive - it takes other men to teach them how to use that that in a positive setting. get that physical and emotional relief valve sadly many are now growing up in a single parent home, where its even more important to have a father figure in the community that can help this is where the decline of sports clubs plays a part. it used to be a place full of male role models (good and bad, but a variety to choose from) as opposed to the current trend of treating males and females the same. and the idea that full contact is to be avoided and replaced with neutral activities. that men should be just as empathetic and emotionally intelligent. the question was asked what is a woman, well what is a Man? the role has been hugely impacted and hard to define - I struggled with it. and we are a decade on and the confusion has only grown. what is a husbands role? gone are the days when it was the breadwinner, responsible for the physical needs of the family. I think this is a major cause cause - misguided and overcompensating for their own confusion. the danger with not having a defined Gender - is no Gender roles. no expectation on behavior and just general guide on who we should be and how we go about it. nothing to deal with how our brains are hard wired from evolution. imagine trying to deal with what your place in the world is as a man. and then questioning if your place in the world is actually as a man... how does this current generation navigate that? video games are a huge issue - not for the content. but because of the isolation and lack of social skills. the way people talk in a game is not real life - would never be accepted at a footy club etc... i have friends who are school teachers and they have seen a huge impact on social and communication skills with the "COVID" kids.

Problem isn't the landlords. rarely are the landlords calling the agent, asking to jack up the price. Its the agents, feeding them the information that they need to up it "in line with the market" swap property management from a percentage fee, to a flat fee.... and watch as miraculously the rises stop - as its not providing a financial incentive for the agents looking after the leases. All this talk about housing reform etc... but not on taking a magnifying glass to realtors and the industry, and making changes there. oh how they cried when there was talk of introducing anti-money laundering laws. and needing to verify where the cash for cash purchases came from. FFS - in the car/motorcycle dealership we had to by law declare any cash above 10K - but you can buy a house without any declarations.

$150 a week is still $150 a week. doesn't matter what you get if its $150 more then you can pay

Family trait... on my mums side. there is a reason I don't like wearing shorts