Is the Discussion Beginning to Happen.

12 July 2010

I was heartened on Sunday to see 60 minutes discuss the impending tax burden facing younger generations. The appauling fact is that in 20 years time there will be 2.7 tax payers for every pensioner, that is up from seven just 10 years ago. Despite this our government has spent drunkenly, racking up the largest foreign debt as a percentage of GDP since WW2. Baby boomers have given younger generations the big finger, belligerently expecting us to pay for their largesse.

Of course we are patronisingly told that this is all for the good of future generations, that they are strengthening Australia’s future not weakening it. What a deceitful lie. The National Broadband Network (NBN) will be a $43 billion is an uncosted white elephant which is typical of technology, where old white guys make decisions for younger people regarding a technology only young people really understand. For the fact is super fast broadband has been a disaster in Japan and South Korea and these are countries with a far greater population density and is therefore cheaper to build. The market for this technology is limited – 2 out of every 3 internet plans sold in Australia is now wireless – and with wireless technology ever improving, there is no doubt wireless will eventually become as fast as fixed broadband.

The NBN is just one of many rip offs our generation is going to inherit from irresponsible government spending and plenty of media outlets have already discussed this topic. The real issue though is going to be paying for future pensions and medical care. Quite simply it cannot be done to the current standard in the future. How could it? We have no choice but to have lower standards of health care, higher taxes and if government has some foresight tougher eligibility testing for pensioners.

Youth groups, youth ministers, young liberal and labor members need to start prosecuting the case to put an end to the trashing of our future, if they are to sincerely represent the long term interests of young Australians. This blog has already discussed the lack of political power Australia’s youth have, though it is time for those who claim to represent us to begin prosecuting these arguments. Most media attention surrounding Australia’s youth focuses on the environment we will inherit and no doubt this is important, though environmental programs need to be funded and that can only happen if we have a strong economy. It’s time for older Australians to face up to their responsibilities and think beyond themselves.