plerdsus

Do you also accept the fact that it is cheaper to pay the dole to someone than imprison them?
Cheaper to have a carbon tax now than pay to fix the forecast damage from climate change?
Cheaper to subsidise free GP visits than pay for chronic care later?

mikk:

"Do you also accept the fact that it is cheaper to pay the dole to someone than imprison them?
Cheaper to have a carbon tax now than pay to fix the forecast damage from climate change?
Cheaper to subsidise free GP visits than pay for chronic care later?"

It isn't cheaper to pay the dole when we can have the chain gang out on the roads again making a contribution to society. The idea that prisoners should not have to work is another chardonnay-sipping fantasy - everyone in society has to contribute - even prisoners.

I consider that climate change is not the problem, it is only a symptom. The real problem is overpopulation, and if that is not addressed, all other efforts will be futile. There needs to be strong sanctions on third world nations to force them to introduce chinese-style one child policies. If the world population reaches 9.5 billion, as is forecast, we will all be in desperate trouble.

Considering that if someone goes to a hospital in Sydney today, the parking fee is usually $5 or more, I fail to see how a $7 fee (capped at $70 per year) will deter people for consulting a doctor. Remember that the fee is $15 in NZ, and they seem to have survived.

Real reform would see the introduction of voluntary euthanasia, as advocated by many on the left. I would support it on condition that in respect of many criminals current imprisoned, the Minister of Justice could volunteer on their behalf.

I thought I might get into the interesting public v private debate, which Stuart's article has generated. I concentrate on schools, which is something I know a little about. If we exclude the elite GPS and Associated Schools, and concentrate on low-fee to moderate-fee private schools, such as systematic Catholic schools, then, yes, private schools are more cost-efficient than public schools. But, as Julius Sumner Miller would say, why is it so? I think the reasons would include the fact that private schools have the right to exclude difficult students, who often take up an inordinate amount of time for teachers and administrators, and the fact that the action of paying fees is in itself an effective means of creating commitment or belief in an institution. Put another way, if you didn't think a school was at least in some way good value, why would you be paying fees? Bottom line - private v public is a complex issue, and one where we do need more debate and analysis. J.S. Page