Women's Network Australia Blog

Stimulus a no-go for many women

I have received hundreds of emails agreeing with my lack of enthusiasm for the Government’s proposed stimulus package. The consensus of opinion is that one off bonuses are not the way to go, but rather a combination of infrastructure projects, tax cuts and one off payments going only to those crippled by the economic fallout. In other words, much stricter means testing. There’s a definite trend unfolding and this is that we’ve had it with Governments who can only see as far as the next election.

You don’t need to be an economist to know that sinking money into infrastructure will create jobs and bring life back to many of the regional areas currently hurting. I know I want a Government who’s willing to take responsibility for the next 20 – 30 years, not just the next 3 months.  Any bonuses handed out by Governments should only be given to those in most need.  I just find it hard to comprehend that many of the people I know will, at the minimum, each receive at least $950 – whilst on any given Saturday evening dining out in the city they will pass homeless people sleeping in the streets. 

It is common knowledge that the intention of many bonus recipients is to simply use the funds to pay down debt or their next big bill. It might sound callous to some but it is not the Government’s job to help pay down the Nation’s credit card debt. The whole situation is outrageous and a total waste of our Nation’s surplus.  No Australian with a long term vision for the future wants to see a situation where there is nothing remaining in the Government’s coffers to cope with future disasters or shortfalls and do any of us want to see indirect tax making a comeback in an effort to recoup Government’s ill thought spending habits? And don’t get me started on the fact that aged pensioners are crying out for at a $60 increase per fortnight. You try telling aged pensioners that earning $80K is a tough life.

We all feel passionate about different things and thank goodness for blogs where we can all share what we think and get it off our chest. Comment and have your say – you’ll feel better and you never know who reads it!

Lynette Palmen AM is the Founder and Managing Director of www.womensnetwork.com.au

Related posts:

1. Stimulus needs a re-think
2. Women on Boards Seek Men of Courage
3. Money – What do women really think?
4. 100 Most Powerful Women According to Forbes

Contributed by Lynette Palmen.   Lynette Palmen AM is the Founder and Managing Director or Women's Network Australia. She started WNA 20 years ago to offer support, inspiration and services that would inspire women to succeed in their career and business endeavours. WNA is now the Nation's premier networking organisation for business and professional women. T: 1800 052 476.

Lynette Palmen has written 43 article(s) for us.

Visit http://womensnetwork.com.au