# Where's my Free Money, Kev? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 10, 2008, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536 "2008-12-10T09:12:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/41 "2009-02-04T07:59:38Z")
Well, there goes a theory that the government has a vested interest in the “families” because that’s where its future, sustained labor force - and therefore income - comes from. Whereas individuals and couples without children are contributing through their work and therefore income taxes, sure, but after retirement and death what are you contributing to the state? Nothing. Them’s just the licks. It’s a cold world. ON EDIT: I see **Thylacine** has laid out essentially the same theory earlier in the thread. ---
**Author:** ![bathsheba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@bathsheba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bathsheba)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/42 "2009-02-04T09:23:22Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > So, how about some of that Free Money, Kev? Don’t forget the non-family taxpayers and voters in Australia… Not understanding. Do you earn over 100k? > [@](#): > > Will you be eligible? > We will use your 2007-08 income tax return to determine if you are eligible and how you will receive the payment. You are eligible to receive the payment if: > > you have lodged or will lodge your 2007-08 income tax return before 30 June 2009 or by the deferred date granted by the Tax Office > your 2007-08 taxable income is not more than $100,000 > your adjusted tax liability for 2007-08 is greater than nil, and > you are an Australian resident for tax purposes (or were an Australian resident at some stage during 2007-08). [ATO](http://www.ato.gov.au/corporate/content.asp?doc=/content/00178930.htm&page=3&H3) ---
**Author:** ![Sierra\_Indigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/43 "2009-02-04T09:25:07Z")
> [@bathsheba](#): > > Not understanding. Do you earn over 100k? > > [ATO](http://www.ato.gov.au/corporate/content.asp?doc=/content/00178930.htm&page=3&H3) Pssst. Thread was opened back when the free money was only being given to dole sluts, pensioners and kids buying first homes. It’s been bumped with the new announcement. Which we may not even get if Nick Xenophon and the Liberals get their way… ---
**Author:** ![bathsheba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@bathsheba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bathsheba)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/44 "2009-02-04T09:40:58Z")
I drove a long way today. ---
**Author:** ![Sierra\_Indigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/45 "2009-02-04T10:23:10Z")
> [@bathsheba](#): > > I drove a long way today. 😃 I forgive. I thought it was a new thread too, until I had a moment of deja vu and checked the dates. ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/46 "2009-02-04T10:36:41Z")
I was debating whether to start a new thread and link to the old one or just tack it here. I don’t really like starting threads, so here we are! 😃 Plus I thought it might be interesting to put it here since a lot of the people who missed out the first time might get money this time. Turnbull looks pretty set on blocking it though, so maybe it’s a moot point. ---
**Author:** ![Caught\_Work](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Caught\_Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caught_Work)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/47 "2009-02-04T10:45:07Z")
Turnbull is an arsehole and if the independents get anything tacked on for their constituents , then the Libs/Nats can vote against it all they want it will still pass the Senate and obviously the ALP have the numbers in the House. I’m just a little grumpy because I get squat this time around. I have (essentially) no mortgage, no credit card debt, a shitload of super, $80K in the bank and I would spend anything Kev gave me on frivolous things and stimulate the economy rather than retire debt. But no, we don’t give it to the rich, we give it to the poor to piss up the wall or blow on the pokies. What are we? Fricken’ socialists? ---
**Author:** ![BigNik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/73ab20/32.png) [@BigNik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigNik)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/48 "2009-02-04T22:20:18Z")
Single, and on a pretty good wage but with moderately crippling mortgage payments ($1,000 a week straight off the top for a run-down terrace in Newtown). When I saw that I wasn’t getting anything in this round either my first response was fairly explicit. It wasn’t until I realised that I was asking “why aren’t they giving me any free money” before I realised the answer. Oh, yeah - I’m rich. I’m just choosing to be poor in order in to buy the house I want. Never mind, then. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/49 "2009-02-05T02:50:42Z")
I mailed your check out just yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![BigNik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/73ab20/32.png) [@BigNik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigNik)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/50 "2009-02-05T02:53:25Z")
> [@Kevbo](#): > > I mailed your check out just yesterday. Cheers for that, I was afraid that you were going to have to take it to a Senate Committee and you know how useless they are. ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/51 "2009-02-05T04:53:48Z")
> [@Kayeby](#): > > Did the last stimulus have any effect on the economy? Is this one likely to? Yes and yes. See [here](http://petermartin.blogspot.com/2009/02/stimulus-packages-stimulate-spending.html). ---
**Author:** ![Essured](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Essured](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Essured)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/52 "2009-02-05T06:07:57Z")
And already the email forwards have begun. This one hit my inbox today… > [@](#): > > This year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format: > > Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment? > A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers. > > Q. Where will the government get this money? > A. From taxpayers. > > Q. So the government is giving me back my own money? > A. Only a smidgen. > > Q. What is the purpose of this payment? > A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a High definition TV set or a new computer, thus stimulating the economy. > > Q. But isn’t that stimulating the economy of China? > A. Shut up. 😃 I’d prefer it if they’d stimulate the public education sector, or the hospitals, or even enviro / climate change issues if they’ve got the money to throw around. Hell, stimulate the labourer industry and fix some of the crappy roads that keep trying to kill me! ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/53 "2009-02-05T06:28:05Z")
I agree with the post above. I think I will get the payout to some degree, but there is nothing I need. So I will just bank it. Hell if I am going to throw it away on some garbage I will never use. ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/54 "2009-02-05T09:46:05Z")
Thanks for the link **hawthorne**. You might be able to explain something that has been confusing me. The purpose of the payout is to stimulate the economy by giving people extra money. Is there a reason the government doesn’t put _all_ the money towards improving infrastructure? Because the money would still be going to people who would spend it, same as the cash payout. Is it that they want to give money to a broader range of people to have the most effect? Is it not putting all their eggs in the same basket? I admit to preferring Turnbull’s proposed plan of bringing forward tax cuts for purely selfish reasons. Is there a reason that Rudd didn’t do this? Is it because tax cuts primarily benefit the better-off? Is it because people have to wait until they do their taxes to get the money back and they think that it’ll be too late by then? I can’t really get too riled up by it all. The economy has been very good to us, and I hope that whatever they do pass helps those who haven’t been as fortunate. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/55 "2009-02-05T10:06:55Z")
I’m glad to hear the rest of us are finally going to get some Free Money™, but I’ve been on holiday in the Whitsundays for a few days so I haven’t heard much about it besides the fact they’re talking about it and $950 will go a way towards paying off my credit card. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Caught\_Work](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Caught\_Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caught_Work)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/56 "2009-02-05T10:09:38Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > I’m glad to hear the rest of us are finally going to get some Free Money™, but I’ve been on holiday in the Whitsundays for a few days so I haven’t heard much about it besides the fact they’re talking about it and $950 will go a way towards paying off my credit card. 😛 You sir, are a complete and utter bastard 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/57 "2009-02-05T10:10:36Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > In fact, I’m getting increasingly annoyed that there’s almost nothing, economic policy-wise, for Single People or Couples Without Children here in Australia. It’s not just couples without children who get nothing; couples who have already raised their families without having thousands of dollars thrown at them will also get nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/58 "2009-02-05T11:28:40Z")
> [@Caught\_Work](#): > > You sir, are a complete and utter bastard 😃 It was our First Wedding Anniversary so we had to do _something_ special. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/59 "2009-02-05T11:55:02Z")
> [@Kayeby](#): > > Thanks for the link **hawthorne**. You might be able to explain something that has been confusing me. The purpose of the payout is to stimulate the economy by giving people extra money. Is there a reason the government doesn’t put _all_ the money towards improving infrastructure? Because the money would still be going to people who would spend it, same as the cash payout. Is it that they want to give money to a broader range of people to have the most effect? Is it not putting all their eggs in the same basket? You’re pretty much right. I should add a disclaimer here - I’m an economist, but I’m not a macro guy and I haven’t studied the government’s package in any detail. There’s a combination of things at work here: 1. A balance between sectors - you don’t just want construction to do well, you want a shoring up across sectors including household demand. Sure, there’ll be leakage into imports, but a lot of retail and wholesale sector employment depends on selling them for their living. 2. A balance between private and public spending. You’ve got to be a bit concerned about the quality of some of the infrastructure projects we’ll see. You also don’t want the starting point for a recovery to be one where government activity is very high because it can be politically hard to scale back. 3. Giving money to those suffering or most likely to suffer. There’s a relief element to the package as well as a stimulus. It’s kind of mixed together, though - a bit of tiding-over money for consumers can stop some people going to the wall and this might stop a spiral of smaller business collapse. But some of this is purely about giving money to people who are doing it tough for no substantial fault of their own. 4. Wedging the opposition. Make no mistake, this is a part of it. People - rightly or wrongly - think they have a stake in this and that Truffles is trying to take it away. > [@](#): > > I admit to preferring Turnbull’s proposed plan of bringing forward tax cuts for purely selfish reasons. Is there a reason that Rudd didn’t do this? Is it because tax cuts primarily benefit the better-off? Yep. Also because standard macro theory says that spending gives you a bigger bang than tax cuts, because a proportion of tax cuts are saved. Also, it’s the fiscally responsible thing to do because tax cuts are permanent (and therefore add to the structural deficit) whereas these spending and handout measures are (supposed to be) temporary. Again, according to standard macro, temporary spending measures have the biggest impact. Also, assuming this horrible situation starts to mend soonish, the government will be keen to get the budget back in surplus. Obviously this is easier if you have temporary spending and handout measures rather than permanent tax cuts. (See [Josh Gans on this point](http://economics.com.au/?p=2395) and [here](http://economics.com.au/?p=2407).) I would have liked to see a bigger package with a greater focus on infrastructure, and for the RBA to have cut by more last week. But what we’ve got looks very much like the sorts of thing that Treasury folks were talking about what they’d do next time after the policy disaster of the last big recession. ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536/60 "2009-02-05T12:08:08Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by Martini Enfield View Post > In fact, I’m getting increasingly annoyed that there’s almost nothing, economic policy-wise, for Single People or Couples Without Children here in Australia. > [@jabiru](#): > > It’s not just couples without children who get nothing; couples who have already raised their families without having thousands of dollars thrown at them will also get nothing. This is a long-term bloody annoyance. It got rolling under Brian Howe and got really out of control under Howard. The hidden bit is the paying off debt business - we are supposed to pay for yesterday’s infrastructure by running surpluses, _and_ today’s and \*then \*bequeath the lot to tomorrow’s _richer_ generation for _nothing_? There’s a silver lining for the childless here in the use of debt to fund infrastructure. But long term, yeah, couples with children get a pretty rich deal (because they’re swinging voters of course). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-my-free-money-kev/476536.md?page=4)