Freedom Go? Superannuation under threat

As a Vietnam Veteran, I am expressing my right to the freedom of expression I fought to protect. 

With the budget looming and the government looking at ways to increase revenue, superannuation looks to take a big hit – the ‘vision’ is no further than ‘there’s lots of money out there’.   Forget that to get a decent return on investment, much of this super is invested in the share market providing finance for Australian projects, the Great Whites determining the budget see it only as the biggest and easiest lot of sardines to round up, then bite into - after first having convinced/scared us over the years to put as much into super as we can on the premise we’d be looking after ourselves.

Then there is the social contract which is along the lines of work hard while you are able & we’ll help you out in your old age.  It now appears pensioners are considered unfair in seeking the pension as an entitlement, a blatant breach of this contract.  It is not as if pensioners are now no longer useful in society, as many of them contribute substantially in unpaid volunteer work.   If as a group, they suddenly withdrew their services, hospitals, schools and many other essential services would be crippled.  Others, meanwhile, have saved their hard earned money to buy a unit to travel around the country, spreading their money in many out of the way pockets as they go, as well as many of them volunteering in rural communities that are reliant on such help:  Blaze Aid is one example that received invaluable support from such people. 

While there is certainly a projected blowout in future pension payments, a bit of creative thinking could help solve the problem.  Certainly there are tax loopholes that could be reined in.  Perhaps surpluses could be set aside, some public assets that are sold also be earmarked and the monies invested in projects benefiting all Australians – oh, hang on!  That’s already been done with The Future Fund, that $100 billion plus taken out of general revenue and set aside for Commonwealth unfunded super liabilities (The Future Fund was established by the Future Fund Act 2006. The object of the fund is to strengthen the Australian Government's long term financial position by making provision for unfunded Commonwealth superannuation liabilities) – if only these ‘geniuses’ could look after the country as well as they look after themselves.

Perth to Brisbane

0500 30^th March – left Perth.  A surprising amount of traffic at that hour in Perth – until I reached the airport turnoff.  Very good progress, followed the commentary on the radio about freedom of speech:  Some Western Australians don’t feel it should extend to the point of stopping legitimate enterprises at great expense, while those to whom it cost nothing feel they have the ‘freedom’ to act in an irresponsible manner.  That night I camped on the Nullarbor.  The following day the discussion in South Australia seemed to be some pollie who was flitting about trying to determine what time zone it was in; also a shipbuilding firm was trying to justify its high costs by saying they built good vessels (and could probably do better if they had the plans?).  That nite was spent at Kimba, a pleasant town  “Halfway Across Australia”.    

Sculptures at Kimba Lookout

Onward to NSW, where the discussion was about a newly elected government and its appointment of the first female treasurer, as well as initiating a portfolio to prevent abuse (of women & children I believe, an excellent initiative);  Cobar, was my stop that night, a much livelier town than I remembered from passing through four years ago.   I could have kept going the 4^th nite to arrive in Brisbane in the evening, but considered fatigue to big a risk, plus the thermal springs at Moree proved an indulgence not to be passed by; an excellent decision, shared by a Victorian couple traveling from the Gold Coast home – “We could have made it further but the thermal springs were too good to miss”!  1200 3^rd April (Good Friday) arrive Brisbane.  4,261 km and 754L petrol costing $1,076.  Long days for sure, but it was terrific to spend Easter with my son & his family!

While I didn’t camp as much as planned, I saw the main things I wanted to see, touched base again with my niece & her family and satisfied my yearning for the road – for now.

My intention for this blog is to air my opinion on contemporary issues and the bit of travel just completed was only added because it was convenient:  The spark that started me thinking was the  controversy on the issue of freedom camping (Freedom Come,) so there is a loose connection (yeah, I’m scratching a  bit here, but it saved me a separate blog for a few weeks’ travel).  I’ve travelled around Australia in a HiAce campervan, which gave me a good insight into the whole issue.

The issue is complex, from perceived rights on public land to ‘camping’ in cities to lobbying for more/less available areas by diverse interest groups.  In my experience, the more remote areas provide ample opportunity for free camping, some council areas allow free camping (but in some areas they are starting to charge what I consider a fair bit, but fail to provide any facilities beyond a basic toilet and open area to park) but my favourite is National Parks, which aren’t free but quite affordable and well serviced; they are also in the more spectacular areas!   National Parks in the Northern Territory and Western Australia are tops, in my opinion, with New South Wales and Victoria also excellent from my limited experience.  Queensland has a great variety of camping, although apparently in more popular coastal areas there are conflicts and generally I avoided them, as there are plenty of suitable options in interesting remote areas.   

I needed to stop at caravan parks every so often and found many of them very reasonable, friendly and well serviced, so I can’t agree with some of the blanket statements that they are all rip-offs:  The ones that are tend to make it a bit rough for the good ones out there. 

There are plenty of RV Friendly towns that support campers/caravans.  This provides benefits for all concerned and gives valuable options for travellers.

Most travellers are conscientious but unfortunately a few are not and thus tend to give all a bad name.  Many of the good travellers will pick up rubbish that is not theirs but balk – naturally – at cleaning up after those disgusting creatures who think the great outdoors is their own personal privy. 

I appreciate the freedom to travel this big, broad beautiful country.  I get the feeling, though, that there is a slowly closing net to limit/exploit the growing numbers of travellers (Freedom Go).  With the current mix of free camping, RV Friendly towns, reasonable charges at National Parks and the services provided by caravan parks allow a mix of options to make it a reasonable – in my case, possible - venture.  I do love the National Parks and can only give them the highest praise for providing cost effective camping facilities.