Chris C was outraged when someone disparaged the deputy premier's background as "only a teacher". I heartily support his umbrage. Many teachers have skills that would earn bigger incomes if they were employed commercially. But my sadness is intensified by the fact that the slight on teachers was incidental rather than a deliberate attack on the teaching profession. Incidental, offhand remarks often reveal deeply entrenched attitudes. Teaching is a vital profession. Its image is in need of rehabilitation. Maybe a part of the necessary Liberal rejuvenation in opposition is to propose genuine encouragement of the teaching profession rather than rubbishing it.

Country Gal

The superannuation of commonwealth public servants cannot be compared to the super introduced by the Hawke Govt.

Depending on what commonwealth scheme you are in you can get between 50-75% of your salary when you retire for life.

Given that the future fund now has $50 billion and that it was only set up on May 5, 2006 its target of $120 billion will be met in the next two years (as confirmed by Nick Minchin in senate estimates).

So the future fund will make its required $7 billion a year, 11 years before Costello says it will need to be used.

So the question I ask is why are they using tax payers money for this sham when, as we all know, infrastructure needs are crying out for funds.

Of course it is politics, if the Govt. admits it is rolling in cash then Labor could legitimately use these funds for its own policies.

Did our government ever ask the public if they agreed to $50 BILLION not being spent on needed infrastructure, hospitals, schools etc. etc.

To make it more relevant in the past year the Govt. has put $2,500 into the Future Fund for every man woman and child in Australia.

If you are a couple with two kids, can you think of something better to spend $10,000 on. Remember its your money.

To Chris C

Just to clarify my comment on teachers.

It was not an attack on the most useful profession that it is. I merely wanted to indicate that the skills needed to manage a multi billion dollar economy are somewhat different from those needed to teach a class of well behaved or badly behaved students.

To fdixit

Mea culpa. Mr Debnam's attack on Debus was inexcusable in every sense of the word