Self-funded retirees

SO Labor wants to tax self-funded retirees. We cost the government nothing. We have no entitlements, no free health, everything we use we pay for.

If we fail in our business after decades of hard work - getting no sick leave, no holiday pay - we lose everything including our homes. No redundancy pay.

We have created wealth for the nation. Employed Australians and paid hundreds of thousands in taxes.

Governments do not enrich a nation. Businesses do. Some of these ministers, even prime ministers, would find it challenging even running a small fish and chip shop.

Yet, an ex-prime minister receives a guaranteed pension of $200,000 a year tax-free, plus fully-furnished office with staff, free air and rail travel for self and family and accommodation which equates to another $300,000 a year. All indexed and tax-free.

They are not at risk of share market collapse like we are. They tax our retirement income at 15 per cent and are going to take away our imputation credits which they want to use to prop up their unlimited spending.

What about trimming their entitlements, such as no free air or rail travel for them and their families and accommodation in five-star hotels.

Plus a lot of other perks including cars, which would leave them with the $200,000 a year fully indexed, which is a hell of a lot more than I receive after 55 years of struggle in business, after these additional taxes. Bryan Bulmer, Kewarra Beach