The graph is interesting, but fundamentally flawed, given, none of the lines actually share the same starting point, with regard to male weekly averages?
I mean, Military TPI pensions are still significantly higher than their civilian comparative?
Even so, I believe the argument has much merit! The problem being, the actual funding mechanisms of public service pensions; and their lack of linking to the CPI?
A much better measure than GDP?
The problem for successive govts, has been the quite deliberately constructed structural deficit, created by conservative rationalists, [an oxymoron if there ever was one,] handing over increased windfall mining boom tax increases, as reduced taxes or welfare for the rich. You know, those with enough power and influence, to largely avoid military service altogether?
We really do need quite vast tax reform with genuine win/win outcomes, which will more than address the structural deficit inherited by Labour! Once we have done that, we need to set aside anything surplus to needs in sovereign funds, that in turn will earn exponentially growing returns for the public purse, which in turn, will at long last be able to independently review/ raise public service pension/compensation packages. Least we forget, many servicemen and women handed over the bulk of their wartime earnings as gratuities, which underwrote the lump sum compensation packages handed over to, the nominated grieving relative along with a lifelong generous pension, which arguably ought to be far more generous than aged pensions; for example, given those folk have had a lifetime to plan for retirement; and no longer have things like mortgage payments or child support/education expenses etc, to also fund or consider?
If the wives and widows of the fallen and the brave, or unsung heroes, could be guaranteed just half of what far less deserving politicians award themselves, as their pension/compensation entitlements, there'd likely be no grumbling in the ranks? Rhrosty.

Dear RHROSTY, thanks for what you've writtem. Those who drafted the graph know their stuff inside out and have updated and clarified an earlier one prepared for another article. Have put a link to the
' parent ' article at the end of this comment where you can find the first graph - and several thousand comments too.

I'm beginning to think it would be a good thing to publish in brackets their annual income and superannuation payout, whenever we mention the names of politicians!

http://www.independentaustralia.net/2011/politics/exclusive-breaking-news-diggers-versus-the-gillard-government/

‘… weary batallions of ghosts of wars past and present’
‘… the gentle tears of angels, anoints us’
‘… widows cast onto the pyres of bureaucratic indifference’
‘… dead lips lovingly fingered and kissed’
‘… this sacred day’
‘… basking in the going down of the sun’

Ms Lawrence, if you are outraged by the duplicitous behaviour of successive Australian governments ‘exhorting heroic deeds and payment of the “ultimate” sacrifice’, why do you play same game of emotional manipulation?

Like so much of the rhetoric surrounding Australia’s overblown Anzac reverence, this article was heavy on emotive string pulling and extremely light on substance. It said nothing to me – a lowly, ungrateful civilian – of the facts and figures to support any of the veterans’ claims. The one graph you provided was so ill-explained as to be a joke, especially when civilian aged and other pensions remain on the same footing as service pensions. For example, both the civilian and service aged pensions are the same: Singles $695.30, Supplement $60.20; Couples (each) $524.10, Supplement (each) $45.40.

So what exactly is the factual basis for the argument that veterans have been tossed on the scrap heap? I’m not saying there isn’t one. I’d just like it better explained to me, and without all the ‘blood and sacrifice’ distracting.

Dear KILLARNEY, the graph is excellent. You are entitled to your opining and your opinion. They are certainly welcomed by me.

Here is a link to Independent Australia and an article I wrote entitled
DIGGERS VERSUS THE GILLARD GOVERNMENT.

There are more than 2000 comments attached to the article. You will
find an earlier graph in the article and a number of facts and figures
in the comments, that I hope will be of great help and clarification.

http://www.independentaustralia.net/2011/politics/exclusive-breaking-news-diggers-versus-the-gillard-government/#comment-66973