For once I agree with rehctub.

Everyone should have two tax department accounts from birth; one for income and the other for gifts and inheritances. There was recently a report in the SMH of a father buying a property worth about $750,000 for a seven year old son. That activity tends to force house prices out of the range of people who need one.

As for Hasbeen's farm example, farm ownership could be limited to those who are prepared to live on them and to operate with a limit on subservient employment, say a farmer and partner and one permanent worker. There might also need to be a limit on the numbers of harvest or shearing contractors on a farm. Post WW2 Soldier Settlement farms were adequate at 500 hectares of wheat growing country. With larger machines and more efficient practices that number may be now about 1000ha.

Bob Hawke once quoted from a letter I sent (probably his speech writer's effort) where I wrote; "Under the present inheritance system how does a tradesman's son manage to become a farmer?"

Union boss Paul Howes, who dabbles in deciding Labor leaders and telling the Labor Party what to do, has blasted those land-rich, income-poor farming families. Howes, the National Secretary of the AWU admits to a salary of $140,000pa and on top of that are his CEO perks and golden handshake when he cares to take it.

http://www.farmweekly.com.au/news/agriculture/general/news/abbott-slams-howes-over-comments/2680392.aspx

To be brutally honest, this is a union boss who makes a jolly good income out of the fears of workers who earn a fraction of what he demands and gets, and workers who will could never imagine the luxurious lifestyle Howes could choose with the pay-out he might get.

Recently, ex-PM Julia Whatshername, who tried her fist at class and gender wars in the recent election but was rebuffed by the electorate, retired on a golden ex-PM package of benefits and parliamentary superannuation. She immediately traded up to a $2million bungalow and will live very well off Aussie taxpayers. Not too shabby at all for a Fabian socialist aka 'Progressive' who 'dissed' 'wealthy' people to make a career of that, while riding the feminist gravy train as well.

If we are to chew the fat over the 'ethics' of hardworking parents passing some of the fruits of their labours onto their offspring who they have kept independently of the State anyhow, what should be said of those who have produced zilch in concrete terms and have had the benefit of riding a wagon for their entire 'working' career and who look forward to people far less well off than themselves supporting them in style in their retirement (when they will likely earn more $$)?

It is not fair, is it?

.....Daeron, welcome to my fan club.

So tell me, do you think it's fair that one person inherits a hundred million while others get zero.

Dont you think it would be fair to share inherited wealth around a bit.

If not, why not? Because after all, I am only suggesting any amount in excess of half a million. Per sibling that is.

Hasbeen, I am nit talking about the family hand me down farm, however, if the multiple million dollar farm is sold off to developers, than that's in my view is fair game.

As for layabouts, I should have picked another word other than welfare.

What I meant by that was to keep it from government coppers so they couldn't waste it on other things like foreign aid, wasted projects or un seats etc.

And Daeron, just re read your post, please note I did say in excess of half a million.

Even then we could make it a full million, but I don't see the fairness in someone, just because they were born lucky, inheriting 20 million.

after 5 years of economic vandalism I can't believe anyone would want more money handed over to the Government especially after someone worked to earn that money. Maybe tax all those who earned their money on Government sponsored Green schemes, the Indigeneous industry or union thuggery.

Dream on!

The first politician to try and bring this in will be the first Australian politician to have a bullet to the back of the head!

Do you honestly believe someone like Murdock or Packer and any other rich family are going to let that happen?

Is it not enough that the state steals from you all your life? You want to give them what you get to keep when you die?

You're sounding more socialist with every passing day, rehctub. You sure you haven't been drinking the Fabian kool aid again?