Two articles from Friday's newspaper
1: "Aussie Resources
Talk about energy prices and the various solutions to fix the rising costs can miss one central point.
The resources under the ground are owned by Australians.
Governments should reserve 15 per cent of coal, gas and any other resource for the use of domestic customers, both private and business, at a heavily reduced price.
Businesses would immediately benefit.
Most gas-producing countries have a domestic gas reservation policy set at a price usually well below international parity.
Why can't we do the same?
It's been the case in Western Australia since 2006.
Do we really think that consumers in the Middle East are paying the same for their petrol as we are?
It's high time Australians stopped being ripped off for the resources we own.
David Haynes, Newton"
my thoughts: excellent points and why aren't our governments helping their own people as is done in other countries? Even in one of our own states!
2: "Rental pressures
Chatting to my mechanic about finally getting a rental, he shared with me that he had recently had an argument with his property manager.
The manager was insisting that he raise the rent on a rental by $90 a week.
My friend said, "No that's too much for a family with three kids who are already paying $480 a week."
The mechanic was quite happy with the rent.
They finally settled on a $40 rise, but it made me wonder how many of the rent rises are not greedy property owners, but pushy property managers who want a bigger commission.
Karen Zaskolny, Ashford"
my thoughts: I honestly hadn't considered this, that the property managers might be behind some of the exorbitant rent rises which are putting people out of their homes to live in caravans and cars. Shame on them!
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#1: As for all price-rises here Putin is blamed.
ReplyDeleteYes, he cut down gas. But we have other possibilities they refuse to use.
Then they promise financial help for families with children. Hm. Is that fair? Why not lower the super-taxes?! Is the Ukraine the only producer of flour or how come bread is so exorbitantly expensive and are there cows but in Ukraine, too? Butter went through the roof.
#2 after over ten years I also put a small rise on the rent. Background: I pay much more for the property tax year after year. I have to pay for things that break down, like old pipes etc, etc.
I was out of job for 2 years on top. Many see the mean and greedy landlord, but there is more behind that. My tenants did not complain.
Iris; it's true there is more behind the cost of maintaining a rental property than most people think about. My daughter's landlord is very fair, takes care of necessary repairs but only raises the rent a small amount each year.
DeletePutin got blamed for a lot of things here too, which seems a bit silly, since most of the high prices and shortages were already happening, but Covid got blamed for that before Putin started his war.
Oh, yes, COVID was another excuse. Hm. Putin made it to Australia even. Oh, yes, you sell LNG to us cause Putin shortened his gas-supply for us. Hence you need gas from Russia. Putin is clever!
DeleteLet´s hope Ukraine "wins". The next excuse will be rebuilding the country and that can take a long time.
Iris; we have plenty of gas right here, but our government sells it to other countries at very high prices without keeping a decent amount in reserve for its own people AND they charge us the same as the selling rate. All in the name of profits for big corporations.
DeleteAll valid points. Money becomes the master.
ReplyDeletejabblog; money does become the master of so many.
DeleteProperty agents are paid by owner to manage the property and to act in their interests. With our experience of once owning a rental property, they do not. While we made good money when we sold the flat over what we paid for it, it was a constant financial drain on us. New carpet, repainting, a new air conditioning unit, new blinds. One tenant left the property with a hole punched in a wall and a door off its hinges, yet the agent refused to withhold some of the bond money to make repairs. When we thought the rent was too low, the agent refused to increase it. When we had a good tenant who would stay if the rent did not increase, the agent refused. When a tenant delayed signing a new 12 month lease agreement, thereby delaying the next year's rental increase we had to threaten the agent with formal action. This was a large and 'reputable' company.
ReplyDeleteAndrew; the "reputable" company should be named and shamed. If I am ever in a position to own property to rent out (ha ha) I would take care of it without a property manager.
DeleteThe Greens and Labor haven't a clue! If they had their way, They don't want us to utilise our own natural resources! They live in a fantasy world of their own creation.
ReplyDeleteRentals are becoming scarcer and scarcer...and prices higher and higher. I live in constant fear and anxiety. If I had to move from my very humble, small abode, I fear I would become one of the homeless...having to live in my car or worse!
Lee; I think the Greens fantasy world is larger, but Labor aren't much better. On the other hand, Liberals can't always be trusted either. Prices go skyrocketing no matter who is leading the country.
DeleteI think you are safe in your rental, you are a good tenant, have been there a very long time and not likely to get kicked out.
Low income people struggle to make end meet.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
Dora; that's true everywhere.
DeletePart of it could be we've created a lifestyle that's unsustainable indefinitely into the future. Greed also plays into it, and many more factors. That's a reason we need input from all sides to help find solutions, others may see problems we don't, and vice versa.
ReplyDeletemessymimi; unsustainability is just one factor, but a large part of the problem is greed and another factor is the "I want it and I want it NOW!"
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