Australia Snippets

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-14/dementia-now-the-leading-cause-of-death-nationwide/106010152

While in Australia recently sought out several retirement income comments, and senior health issues.

  1. Noted Dementia confirmed as Aussie biggest killer as deaths data serves up the hard facts. Societal aging is stretching resources, and NZ mirrors the Aussie situation. Obesity is also a rising factor, similar to NZ.
  2. Following the Royal Commission on Aged Care, care fees have risen. Those that can afford to pay more, though note in Australia, capped fees (maximums) apply. Aussie aged care fees changed from 1 November 2025, introducing a new structure with a basic daily fee (around $65.55/day), optional means-tested contributions (hotelling & non-clinical), and accommodation costs (RAD/DAP). The Support at Homeprogram also changed, with lifetime caps now applying, and the higher everyday living fee replaces old extra service fees. You pay based on your income/assets via a My Aged Care assessment, with caps and lifetime limits in place.
  3. Australian Superannuation (complicated and complex) appears to favour the wealthy and those who can camouflage income by Trusts, and engage legal expertise to prepare their returns.
  4. Great comment by John Lyons in his biography Laws a Life of Power, Radio commentator Aussie. “The history of commercial radio in Australia, shows a mass audience responds best to glib, reactionary viewpoints with few allowances for subtleties. The world according to talk back is black and white, shades of grey take up time. And it might be boring-the surest way to lose an audience.
      1. This also explains Trump attraction, simple messages delivered with certainty, the actual  content only of interest to the academics. The left need to learn how to fight fire with fire, call out  the fools and idiots, simpletons, radio and on-line trolls.                                                           Kaspanz wishes all, a great New Year, all the best in 2026 and sound retirement income policy!!!!!!

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This article was written by Alec Waugh

BA (history) Master Public Policy MPP. Career primarily Police 1968-2006. CEO Business Information Services (BIZinfo) Liberal commentator, voted NZ First/Labour last 3 elections. European. Interested in delivery issues and implementation, trends over time. Well read

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