$42 billion Nation Building and Jobs Plan

That’s the title of the latest tit-for-tat that has made all the headlines today. I’ll be blunt. The infrastructure investment is “good” – goodness knows parts of the country need it. I’d do things differently. But whatever.

However, in terms of the $950 one off cash payments to eligible families, single workers, students, drought effected farmers and others: I don’t want the money. I wont spend it, for one simple reason: I don’t have anything to buy.

The $950 payment is pro-rata up to $100000; I’d suggest that is too high a value. $50000 would sit better. In fact I would suggest other changes. But I don’t have enough information on various economic demographics, and how the handouts could benefit them. Without that information it’s really just forcing people into a mold that they, most likely, don’t fit.

But my point here is that the hand out is to stimulate the economy (i.e. it’s meant to be spent). It really should only be given to those where that end will be achieved.