The likes of Hasbeen and runner, are lead by the nose on most issues, climate change denial included. The usual scare campaign by vested interests is enough to get these bods frothing at the mouth on anything and everything. It is a pity some people just can't think for themselves and need to be lead blindly on important matters effecting their daily lives. These old cold war warriors are still living with the fear of the "reds under the bed" and all that rubbish, its sad really.

Gentleposters, may I remind you that this discussion is entitled, "Good governments make our economy work for us". Could you please keep your remarks on topic?

In order to get us back on track, I put unto you that we all deserve a fair share of the wealth our work creates. The government should increase wages. They should not give a tax cut to big business. A good government can make Australia fair for everyone.

Thank you all for keeping on topic.

GJOESQ if you believe we deserve a share of the wealth our work creates then obviously bureaucrats are over paid by a factor of about 100, & a huge percentage of the general work force is overpaid by at least a factor of 10.

You may be right that "Good governments make our economy work for us", which would explain why we are doing so badly. We haven't had anything like a good government since Howard, & his was struggling very hard to even come near attaining that label anyway.

If you are right, from what I see as likely government in the next decade or so, we had all better start tightening our belts very quickly. Good government is highly unlikely with the current players.

GJOESQ: You say "The government should increase wages."

Below is a list of countries that have something in common regarding their government* and wages. I'm going to see if you can guess what it is:

Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland and until recently Germany.

*(Their government in all cases at top country wide level and in most of these countries at all levels of government)

thinkabit, here's link that explains the tax system Denmark uses: http://www.skm.dk/english/facts-and-figures/progression-in-the-income-tax-system

Could you please elucidate your point about what Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland and until recently Germany, have in common? Thanx. :-)

While you're thinking about that, I posit that some of our biggest and most profitable corporations pay little or no tax at all. If we try to make them play by the same rules as the rest of us, they run political campaigns against governments, and threaten to sack workers or increase prices.

The private sector has left people out in the cold. Just look at the ongoing results of the Banking Royal Commission. Government should do more to make sure everyone in our society is taken care of!

And which bureaucracy are you a member of GJOESQ, state or federal?