Keep going Katie, you'll soon be doing the usual left trick of saying Abbott must endorse paedophilia just like the climate sceptics as Williams stated.

We've heard a lot about misogyny from the dank minds of the left but no mention of the real and palpable mysandry of the left against the likes of Abbott while conveniently overlooking the atrocious behaviour of the Slippers, Thomsons and Mathiesons of the world.

Whatever it takes eh Katie? As for your garbage of 6 months for Gillard's crew to redeem themselves, after the trouble this corrupt government has produced for itself up to date, another 6 months hopefully should see some arrest warrants.

As for Alan and his ongoing delusion about this government's economic competence a few of these questions are more to the point:

http://theclimatescepticsparty.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/old-king-cole-worlds-greatest-treasurer.html

Cohenite, Ooops - watch out! Your ignorance is showing. Your comment is not really worthy of recognition because you refuse to look at the bigger picture. If you are a blue collar, working class person, don't come screaming and whining when the Mad Monk hikes up the GST to 15% and introduces workplace agreements. Even other conservatives (eg Fraser and Hewson) have stated that Abbott is a pathological liar who would say and do ANYTHING to gain power. But, of course you don't believe that, do you pet? Like the devious pretentious chameleon he is, Abbott will soon change back into his true colours once he lies his way into power. It will be a sad, sad day when the three stooges (ie Abbott, Bishop and Hockey) get into power ... what a laughing stock this country will be when these three get on the world stage. Ugh! I am cringeing just thinking about it. Abbott's homophobic comments against gays have already been broadcast around the world ... he is ALREADY known to be a fool but it will take the gullible "True Believers" like yourself to raise this idiot to the throne. Be careful what you wish for!

Hi again Individual,

Re: "I meant real factual information, that's not available from Government run outfits."

Yes. That is precisely my point. Of the links to the 20 criteria, above, showing the exact state of Australia's extraordinary economy, all bar one are from independent non-government organisations.

Only number 9. [tax rates] was linked to the CIA World Factbook for international comparisons. But we can certainly find confirmation of that on independent sites also.

Re: "How many australian jobs have gone to asian sweat shops because of ever increasing Union demands."

Extensive data on jobs in Australia is on the Australian Bureau of Statistics site, Indi, at Catalogue number 6: Labour Statistics and Prices.

Re: "Why aren't ordinary Australians afforded any protection from Government sanctioned Superannuation outfits?"

Off topic. But if you clarify what your concerns are here, I'm happy to explore this.

Re: "How much do public servants have to contribute for their Super in comparison with the ordinary wage earner?"

That's all open information, Indi. Available from the Tax Office. Or if you prefer non-government sources, from independent groups like http://www.superguide.com.au.

Please take the time to verify the assertions made here about Australia's economy overall, Indi. It will almost certainly cheer you up.

Remaining in the dark and being so gloomy, negative and defeatist is a choice. The better informed we are the happier we will all be. I promise.

Hi again Cohenite,

Is that a challenge? Hmmm. Okay.

Eight questions have been posted here arising from the original article and subsequent discussion.

The answer to number 6 has been provided already: (d) none.

Would you like to have a shot at the other seven, Anthony? Fairly simple. All multiple choice. One answer offered is correct.

And links with all the evidence to verify the answers are readily available.

Then I will be more than happy to respond to any question in this general topic which you would like to post here.

Thanks. Cheers, AA

all bar one are from independent non-government organisations.
Alan Austin,
That's what's of so much interest to me. Who pays them for that collation ? Philanthropists ?
Or are they doing it for free for the good of the country ? Somehow I can't envisage any academic doing something for others let alone for free.

That's all open information, Indi. Available from the Tax Office.
It doesn't offer any information on misuse & corruption. We have had 12 million Dollars for a new airport evaporate & the tax Office has no data on that. They only let us see some idealistic guidelines not the real figures of how much many public servants are fleecing. It's like putting 8 hours/day on the time sheet but take away the non-active i.e. idle hours & you'll get a lot less but still the taxpayers fork out for 8. Extremely simple example yes but it rings so true it's deafening.
Our so-called experts are only experts in self preservation, running the show is not done by them only the interference. Then they put up some graphs & bingo, we should all be cheerful.

I agree with Individual

'Alan with all due respect but there's more to running a country than making the balance sheets add up by the stealing & lying by bureaucrats'.

However, i wish you would lay off all academics. I am one, and i have spent many, many hours writing pieces for this site in my own time.
In fact, i hope to soon cut my work hours to get back to writing for OLO.

Also, of course wages are too high in this country. The balance should be shifted, but other policies need to be introduced to offset the adjusmtment.

As for academic wages, i already do a lot for the money i am paid as casual, and i would work full-time for a lot less than the going rate if i could get a chance.

Hi again Indi and Chris,

Re “Who pays them for that collation? Philanthropists?”

Most of those organisations are paid for by the users of the information they provide. Clients include businesses and governments. Which means if they ever start selling dodgy data, they will soon go out of business. Which means we can pretty much rely on the accuracy of that information.

Re: “there's more to running a country than making the balance sheets add up.”

Yes. That’s most certainly true. How does that observation relate to the article or the subsequent discussion? Just not sure what you are suggesting here.

Re: “by the stealing & lying by bureaucrats”.

Again, not sure what you mean. Which bureaucrats have lied? Which bureaucrats have stolen what?

Re: “However, i wish you would lay off all academics.”

Once again, what do you mean? Was there a reference to academia somewhere which is offensive or wrong?

Re: “Also, of course wages are too high in this country.”

According to whom, Chris?

Do you agree with the answer to question 6, above, that Australia has the best economy in the world by a street? Do you agree that Australia alone among the wealthy developed nations avoided a recession in 2008/09 and rocketted to the top of the world’s economies?

Doesn’t that suggest pretty strongly that the macro settings your Government has opted for – fiscal policy, monetary policy and industrial policy – including wage levels – could be appropriate?

Which countries would you say have better wage levels than Australia’s, Chris? Is there any evidence that those nations have better outcomes in terms of jobs, deficit, productivity, growth, debt, wealth and poverty?

Or have better outcomes in other areas not related to making the balance sheets add up?

Do you agree with Heritage International’s assessment of Australia? Or do you agree with Joe Hockey?

And finally, Chris, how did you go on the other seven questions, above?

Cheers, AA