The technology - esp for micro-renewables -is always improving. For instance - the amount of energy retained by solar cells. This is what an engineering PhD told me when I graduated with my Social Sciences PhD. Micro-renewables will become more viable in the future, not less.

I guess the dumbing down of the education system has run all the way to PhDs - your irrefutable evidence for vast and rapid improvements in solar cell technology, Tristan, amounts to "somebody told me". And that's all you have.

Fact is, even large, professionally managed solar and wind systems are grossly inefficient, generating only about a third of their nameplate capacity. Even before the bird droppings hit the micro-systems' solar panels their performance would be no better. And then there's the problem of battery storage, which hasn't improved in decades.

And the cost of installing micro-systems to generate enough energy to meet Australia's needs? No mention at all, of course, but we all know that the Tristan Ewins solution will be to take money from taxpayers and squander it. Left wing governments here have history and form.

Still, it's on a par with the rest of your thinking, Tristan: somebody who works two or three jobs to keep his/her family afloat is entitled to have the government take away a big chunk of it to waste on social engineering crap.

Why is it that the Left always - ALWAYS - ends up lurching towards totalitarianism?

But in CalWest's 'brave new world' aged care can be 'left to the market' where our loved ones are left in their own feces, with bed sores and starvation - Because tax cuts for people on $200,000 and more is 'a greater priority'.

The person who told me this was a PhD student who had been studying the matter several years. I think his opinion counts for something.

The reality is that health technology is advancing along with an ageing population. In the future we will have to prioritise. Health investment equals crucial quality of life issues for millions of Australians. An ageing population means there will be more demand. So we'll have to decide whether our priority is tax cuts for the wealthy to acquire their third Ferrari - or investment in health and aged care to improve the quality and decency of peoples' lives.

BTW for the foreseeable future my aim is to raise Australia's tax take as a proportion of GDP to the OECD average. There must always be a balance between state and market - and interpenetration between the two. Incentives for co-ops and mutuals is also a good idea.

In the US Trump made enormous tax cuts for corporations and the rich. There has been NO flow on effect with increased growth or employment. Trickle-down doesn't work.

Also ; what is 'totalitarian' about a mixed economy and welfare state? The income tax system is more favorable to the rich today (and after Labor governments even) than was the case in Menzies' time.

'In the US Trump made enormous tax cuts for corporations and the rich. There has been NO flow on effect with increased growth or employment. Trickle-down doesn't work.'

just keeps the crap coming. Hasn't checked employment figures. Marxist can't lie straight in bed.

I called Morrison a Hypocrite. Why? Because Christianity is founded on compassion. I consider myself Christian as well. But hundreds of billions in tax cuts for the wealthy will mean austerity for everyone else ; and it will hit the poor. In showing himself unconcerned with the plight of the poor and vulnerable some aspects of Morrison's Christianity can be called into question.

But most importantly: this is an article about the sufferings of the Aged in an under-resourced aged care sector.

The ideologues want to make it an argument about the virtues of small government.

I am simply telling you: The sector is under-resourced. People are suffering. People are dying. People are cold, lonely and hungry. Without committing resources what do you suggest we do about it? Or (s evidenced by the evasion of the actual issues) is it just that you don't care? Just for a moment now make it about the PEOPLE who are suffering. And respond with their needs and interests in mind.

As for my Marxism ; I'm strongly influenced by Marx yes. Maybe I'm still a Marxist ; maybe not. It depends where you draw the line. I accept a lot of Marx's critique of capitalism and I believe in class struggle for justice. (as well as other struggles) But I'm not a philosophical materialist. And I believe in God. I'm interested in learning more about the Neo-Kantians.