There has already been a Grey Party which failed Henry,  so a different name is required.

Also how many seniors are there and must include SFR as these and age pensioners have been encouraged to disagree by both major political parties in the old divide and rule. But since Howard awarded them the same concessions as age pensioners with a cut out criteria which is generous, there should no longer be the divide.

Any of which could be altered because surely we must number around 4 million? havent had the time to check out the latest Census or even if it records such info. Maybe someone else has the time.

And then there are those on permanent disablity who get the same rates as age pensioners - they number high enough to be a worry to whoever is in government as a block of votes too.

Not to forget the part of the 5% on unemployment who have no children as dependents and aged over what 50? Not a lot of income and not a lot of chance of a job even with the Age Discrimination Act 2004 Costello put up as it seems no policing takes place as it does for other discriminations on race etc.

Huge block of votes there and not one party actually tries to gain them and come to that nor does business seem to want to entice them either all is poised to chase the 15-25's like Channel 10 is reputed to do.

Far more attention is given to incoming people of any hue than to those here already and disadvantaged in lots of ways.

But with voting power.

All needs to be thought about imo. How to heal the divide is first thing.

Time is right with so many of the SFR being made poorer by the GFC and having to go onto part pensions etc. Now is the time to say think on could happen to any one of you.

I really wish that you two would get beyond this childish sniping at each other......you both obviously have a brain and so, a good deal to add to this discussion.

I think we need to ask what is the basic objective of a "grey power party'. and that is obviously to improve the lot of older Australians. It may well turn out that all we have to do is "flex some muscle".....pick up a percentage of primary vote in a state/federal election......we may not even win a seat, but if the pollies see us gaining ground, they cannot just dismiss us as a "bunch of old fogies" and they will have to at least listen to us.

How far we need to push a political party will depend on what we achieve along the way. I really think we need to concentrate on (1) our core objectives, (2) our our core interest group(s) and publicising how poorly we are treated by ALL PARTIES.

I see the party serving the interests of OLDER AUSTRALIANS, not just pensioners or carers or self funded retirees etc but ALL older Australians. That is just my opinion and it remains to be voted on by party members when and if this thing gets airborne.

Quote naut "You choose to misunderstand or misrepresent what I write fwed.  But then you are also the poster who in previous threads on the subject wanted to exclude self funded retirees.  You opined that they had diferent interests or such like.  Might as well call it the age pensioner party.  But then you don't want it to criticise Labor or the Greens either."

All those accusations are false.

If you are going to snipe then make sure you get the facts right otherwise everybody will see you as the troublemaker that you are.

On several occasions you have made inaccurate statements about me then cry foul when you cop it back.

Grow up.

My intentions when posting ideas about a new political party was to get us all together under one thought, one idea, one hope.  I didn't write this to make you guys fight with one another.

Att fwed:  why don't you send me your Expression of Interest, get to see what's on offer and them you can give us some positive feedback, this will help us all!

Regards

Through some very moderate investment I already provide some services to people on welfare, including aged pensioners.  Three things are obvious:

- first, that government is continuing to force the burden of responsibility of providing welfare services onto the private sector (leaving Canberra with all care and no responsibility); and

- government is continually chipping away at the 'profits' of the private providers.  I used the inverted commas advisedly because in the vital sector of housing for instance, around 25% of the cost of new homes comes from government taxes and charges - more if the costs passed on for self contained estates are taken into account and they are growing in number.  Many of these estates are headed towards being slums because teh original infrastructure is of average build to say the least and the residents will have problems paying for the upkeep of roads and the like (what does that say for rents?); and

- there will be more user pays.

Ultimately something will have to give unless the spending on the costly victim industries is not curtailed and fast.  It isn't assisted by government continually expanding its role and passing more laws.

Think about it though, how can a pensioner or aged party ask for more when it is not prepared to say where the cuts should come from?

I think it is inevitable that expensive deliverables like health care will be limited through waiting lists and other informal controls, while the politically savvy, government funded (directly and indirectly) lobby groups that have arisen since Whitlam will bloom.  I remember biob Hawke calling a senior a "silly old goat".  It would have been political suicide for him to say that to a member of any of the victim groups.

Another thing, just how many concerned seniors have used this link that I provided when the Office was set up?  You don't hagve to have a complaint, just nag for action on what you want.  What do you imagine that the victim groups do?  That is free as is getting in the ear of your local MP.

http://www.hreoc.gov.au/age/index.html

Likely what is needed is an effective lobbyist.  But that costs money.  Less than a political party though and some would argue better value for money#.  If seniors will not put a few dollars into membership of the organisations that have traditionally tried to represent their interests, what says they will dip into the piggy bank to fund a political party?

Above all, I would prefer to have the hat pass around for a PhD to do some work on a better future for the aged. 

# On the other hand the S&FP do a great job in NSW representing the interests of recreational boaters, fishers, shooters, campers and 4X4.  Anyone who goes outside the door in fact.  So a small party can achieve results.

As, I think innes pointed out on a number of occasions, a lobbyist is totally inefective if not backed by swinging supportive votes.  A perfect example is the total non effectiveness of Michael O'neill, who is the CEO of National Seniors Australia, (membership 300,000) & one of the best in Australia, but his group is proudly non political, therefore having no effect whatsoever.

I agree with that Robby. 

I also agree with much of what Michael O'Neill says and I have previously quoted from his address to the Press Club in 2010.

Innes is quite correct when he says that National Seniors will achieve limited success through being non political. 

I would appreciate it, if someone would kindly advise me,

how can I join The Australian Grey party?

I was looking on Google,  couldn't see where  I could join.

Many thanks,

Madeleine Bridges

07 5476 7818

Everyone should join, regardless of which party you now support for the simple reason that seniors will make up a great percentage of the population in years to come and should have a voice in how the future is being mapped out for them.