When the Coalition gained office in 2013 Abbott was quick to wheel out his signature policy of ‘Paid Maternity Leave for the Mega Rich’. Seeing this policy shot down in flames by the general community as out of touch and elitists, you would have thought the Coalition members would have learnt their lesson when it come to policy and opinion, particularly the front bench of ministers..
Seeing his first budget crucified as unfair and out of touch, the cigar chomping Treasure ‘Cocky’ Joe Hockey could have been expected to be circumspect when making public statements that affect the general community. Being a ‘Sydney boy’ himself it stands to reason Hockey should have sympathy for the tens of thousands of Sydneysiders, particularly young people, who are not just struggling to buy their first home in Sydney, but are finding them totally out of reach, despite historically low interest rates. As the median price in Sydney has sailed pass the million dollar mark, the Australian dream of home ownership is no longer a reality for so many, which are now forced onto the rental treadmill. What is Hockey’s solution to the terrible plight facing so many of our young folk, his advice “Get a better paying job!” I can only describe this “solution” from Hockey as another example of this government uncaring attitude towards ordinary Australians.

"I can only describe this “solution” from Hockey as another example of this government uncaring attitude towards ordinary Australians."

I agree in principal that Hockey's advice to get a better paying job is much easier said than done but I also find your comment a very big stretch.

Those like you and the ABC seem to just be hanging out for the next line you can use to express your disdain for the Coalition Gov't.

Why no criticism of Sarah Hanson-Young's recent wealth redistribution comments that are completely unworkable and will never get off the ground; or Bill Shorten's complete lack of ideas?

Dear ConservativeHippie,

Sarah Hanson-Young's wealth distribution ideas should be adopted, and Shorten is one of Abbott's few assets.

There is an unhealthy concentration of wealth created in part by the economic policies of past and present governments. Hanson-Young's policies would compensate for the present inequities. They should be praised.

Comparisons of politicians like Hockey and Hanson-Young are not helpful; both are idiots from different perspectives, but aren't all Australian politicians now idiots, interested only power?

Hockey's 'get a good paying job' should automatically get him removed from his job. But his boss, another idiot, will not get rid of him. Many people can't get any sort of job, let alone get a good one. On the other hand, calls for redistribution of well are also silly.It will never happen.

As usual the media is making the news. As well, the media is playing the public as ten year olds.

If he was cynical, Hockey would be indulging in the game of the professional politician and playing to the politically correctness of populist politics. Something that L'il Willie Shorten, career politician, does so well. Here is an example of Shorten in action,

"Labor leadership contest: Bill Shorten wants quotas to boost number of gay politicians in Parliament"
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-28/shorten-wants-quotas-to-boost-number-of-gay-politicians/4987276

Returning to Hockey, there was nothing but honesty in what he said. Quite obviously if anyone wants to buy into the inner 'burbs of major metropolitan cities in any developed nation, one is going to be paying a premium and yes, a good income is a prerequisite for that.

I was reading about a couple of young professionals, both Bachelors of Business (dime a dozen) who were miffed that their lifestyle was suffering (fewer resort holidays in Coolum) since they built and fully landscaped their 30squares architect designed house. Their expectation, somehow realistic and deserved in their eyes, is completely unrealistic to others. Next they will want to be made partners. They are entitled you know.

That is a different way of describing what Hockey is talking about, however we all need to tailor our expectations and demands to what we can afford, and for that matter to our commitment to work and saving, doing without to get what we want.

Shelter is not always expensive. Go to RealEstate.(whatever) and there are plenty of cheap alternatives, many outside of cities. Otherwise, if you really must have a lifestyle that necessitates a suitable (?) home in a major metropolitan city like Sydney or Melbourne you are going to have to earn much more. Your parents had to save and start small, remember? That is what adults do.

What good can there be if even more people find jobs that contribute nothing to our overall happiness and in some cases even diminish it?

(that includes most public-servants (including marriage/divorce celebrants), advertisers, the gambling industry, the media, most lawyers and accountants, and managers and engineers who deliberately design cars and appliances to last only a couple of years so they can constantly be replaced with newer ones with newer gadgets)

If the idea is to allow the currently unemployed, as well as the above badly-employed who better would be unemployed, some minimum money to eat and pay off their bills, then let them have this money now without the hassles of a job which only makes them consume fuel, block the traffic and neglect their kids.