POLL: Kevin's 50% computer discount

Dan Warne28 August 2009, 8:08 PM

The government is offering a 50% tax rebate on new computers -- are you going to do it?


You might not like everything that Kevin and Co have done for Australia to date (the broadband network is a long time delayed, for example, and the internet censorship plan hasn't exactly been a surefire hit with the voters so far), but one thing that nearly everyone is sure to like are the tax deductions for new computers in small businesses and for kids' educational needs.

There's an awful lot of misinformation floating around about these schemes though -- so we thought it would be a good time to poll APC readers and see what you've been thinking about it. Based on your answers we'll be able to write some better explanations of the tax deductions than what the politicians have offered so far... hopefully!

NOTE: you have to press the "vote" button after each question.


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Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

When a problem is caused by overspending only the fools and the self interested would concoct a solution based on excessive spending.

Enjoy these rebates and hand-outs folks you'll be pay them back ten times over in tax before the debts are cleared.

Even at 100% rebate the influnce Kev's rebate party trick will have on the profit & loss of most small businesses would be hard to meausure.




28 August 2009, 8:47 PM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

McBanjo (User):

Amen brother!

28 August 2009, 9:14 PM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

ebusinesstouch (User):

Well most of the people who cant afford lumsum payment for a brand new computer, means cant get the govt rebate, around 45% of Americans are unable to pay for their computer and they are being forced for financing. I am looking for computers which can be used as web hosting servers, if i get rebate i will definitely come back and comment again.

28 August 2009, 9:09 PM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tony23 (User):

Unfortunately, most of those who receive the handouts to buy their booze, fags and foxtel (and now it seems computers), won't end up paying the money back. People who work and pay stupid amounts of tax will end up paying.

28 August 2009, 9:21 PM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Big Baboo (User):

Quoting Tony23:
Unfortunately, most of those who receive the handouts to buy their booze, fags and foxtel (and now it seems computers), won't end up paying the money back.
Ooooooah!!!! Strong language that "Tony23" I wonder if I qualify tho' :( I've just spent $750.00 upgrading this box (which did leave me a neat little $250 for booze n ciggys) Do you think I could get a rebate for the rest so maybe I could get my Harley serviced :)?




29 August 2009, 9:04 AM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tony23 (User):

A Harley produces less carbon than a V8 Commodore, so I reckon you're an odds on fave for the Carbon Reduction Ancillary Program.

29 August 2009, 9:41 AM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting Tony23:
A Harley produces less carbon than a V8 Commodore,

That would depend entirely on which Harley-Ferguson and which Holden Commodore you were referring to.


Quoting Tony23:
Carbon Reduction Ancillary Program

Carbon anything in current government speak equals a TAX people, and much like the examples of Commodore and Harley proposed carbon taxes have nothing to do with efficiency, modernity or protection of any environment.




29 August 2009, 9:49 AM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tony23 (User):




Quoting Raindog:
Carbon anything in current government speak equals a TAX people, and much like the examples of Commodore and Harley proposed carbon taxes have nothing to do with efficiency, modernity or protection of any environment.

In response to this completely unfounded backlash, there has been decisive action to rename the program to "Carbon Reduction ADJUSTMENT Program" (couldn't do much about the acronym)....a press release has also been put out linking the term "Raindog" and "climate sceptic" at least 48 times......



29 August 2009, 9:54 AM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting Tony23:
a press release has also been put out linking the term "Raindog" and "climate sceptic" at least 48 times......

Curious phenominum this "climate sceptic" as is the quoting of "I know a bloke who knows a bloke, who reccons all the scientists in his street agree that the sky is falling.
The ignorant branding of climate sceptic is akin to thinking from medieval times when declaration of "witch" was prety much the answer to everything. So in the future you coud well refer to old raindog as the climate wizard or climate warlock.
The odd thing about this all is that one of the key elements of scince for centuries was that it was encouraged to question everything in order to improve and solidify collected knowledge. But it appears that post Kevin07 science is now detrmined by washed out rock stars and montone bores from SA. Much like dentists it appears we cant show the faces of any real scientist or view much at all in the way of actual evidence.

No that wheazing Commodore or Harley is not doing the environment any favours, but then neither are the overpriced and under performing buckets of batteries being flogged off by Toyota. Although shifting your polution up the road can be seen as the ultimate NIMBY statement and will endear you with the favour of a presidential washout so lame he was a less preferred choice than Bush II.

Science? What science?



29 August 2009, 10:11 AM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Pauly (User):

No climate sceptics are actually thought of more like evolution sceptics. Either having or being influenced by people who have a vested interest in keeping the status quo. Espousing statistics and "evidence" that support their view and deflecting anything that doesnt. Real scientific theory is the search to eliminate anomolies, sceptics seem to start with an anomoly and claim it as science. Can we get back on topic now?

29 August 2009, 11:23 AM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting Pauly:
No climate sceptics are actually thought of more like evolution sceptics.

By those of the population who choose to have their thinking done for them perhaps. And while any debate on evolution may be equally emotive their is a good quantity or well proven and disproven evidence available rather than relying on the random observations of poets.


Quoting Pauly:
Either having or being influenced by people who have a vested interest in keeping the status quo.

So it's conspiracy theories at three paces is it? The vested interests of those set to gain from a massive carbon taxation conveniently escape your argument. But then it was a argument that was devised for you, wasn't it? No thinking required.


Quoting Pauly:
Espousing statistics and "evidence" that support their view and deflecting anything that doesnt.

Much like unsubstantiated claiming of some ficticious gains by a chosen enemy. Your making the claims where is the evidence to back up those claims?


Quoting Pauly:
Real scientific theory is the search to eliminate anomolies,

So any debate where those who dare to question some or all of a suggestion is neither debate or science. Mr Gore doesn't have a vested interest?


Quoting Pauly:
Can we get back on topic now?

Up to you? you've presented a lot of popularist rant and not much about Comrade Kevins u-beaut rebates thus far. The floor is yours, comment away.


29 August 2009, 11:40 AM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Pauly (User):

Quoting Raindog:
So it's conspiracy theories at three paces is it? The vested interests of those set to gain from a massive carbon taxation conveniently escape your argument

Hang on a minute, are you saying that Climate Change was first thought up decades ago in order to sell more solar panels? Carbon taxes came a long time afterwards im pretty sure so it sounds more like your digging your own conspiracy theory hole.

Quoting Raindog:
So any debate where those who dare to question some or all of a suggestion is neither debate or science


But its not questioning some or all, its showing a graph of 1 pacific island nation's weather over a short period and thinking that it is enough to prove everyone else wrong and that we should just wait. There have been plenty of debates about this topic, i've yet to see one where the sceptic isnt made to look really unprepared.


Back to the topic and i've not been able to use either tax rebate, not studying and not self employed. I'd be interested to know if any university student unions have held any information meetings to help students understand how to claim it.

29 August 2009, 6:31 PM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting Pauly:
Hang on a minute, are you saying that

No the following statement was a construct from the depths of your mind and not something of my creation.


Quoting Pauly:
Carbon taxes came a long time afterwards

A long time after what? what possible tenuous link can you make between the invention of photo-voltaic panel and the desire to implement a taxation of simple creation?

Quoting Pauly:
im pretty sure so it sounds more like your digging your own conspiracy theory hole.

I'm absolutely sure you have never bothered to think things through. How is applying additional taxation on on local industry going to damn thing about efficiency of process.


Quoting Pauly:
But its not questioning some or all, its showing a graph of 1 pacific island nation's weather over a short period


There you go again with the conspiracy theories it's nothing of the sort. You the one on a hiding to nothing with the constructs about Pacific Islands. But then resoned debate isn't possible with the one eyed.


Quoting Pauly:
and thinking that it is enough to prove everyone else wrong

No what I am asking the climate lobby to do is to produce something substantative, rather than this "sky is falling" emotive claptrap.


Quoting Pauly:
There have been plenty of debates about this topic, i've yet to see one where the sceptic isnt made to look really unprepared.

Debate is the the presentation and comparison of differing argument. Modern day witch hunts that refuse to substantiate claims and rely on the emotive declaration of sceptic to any dissenters is not debate.

Your misguided assumption of some upper hand is notable by an accompanying absence of reasoned fact or arguement. You haven't thought this through, have you? The feel good argument may be a popular one but team gloom is the one without substatiation, so dont dare question my position when your too stupid to have reasoned out your own!

Quoting Pauly:
Back to the topic and i've not been able to use either tax rebate

A very large proportion of the population is not able to receive advantage from these rebates, the distribution of Rudd money has been far from fair or equitable.


29 August 2009, 7:25 PM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Pauly (User):

Wow Raindog, where do i start. Im not debating climate change with you on a computer forum, im sure you are also aware that this is not possible and so you are using personal attacks, double standards and misquotes in order to believe that you have "won" this arguement.

Quoting Raindog:
A long time after what? what possible tenuous link can you make between the invention of photo-voltaic panel and the desire to implement a taxation of simple creation?

I believe it was you that was trying to debunk the theories of climate change first published decades ago by claiming that it was all made up so that the government could get more taxes.
Quoting Raindog:
There you go again with the conspiracy theories it's nothing of the sort. You the one on a hiding to nothing with the constructs about Pacific Islands. But then resoned debate isn't possible with the one eyed.
Now if you dont know that this quote you are referring to comes from Senator Steve Fieldings questions to Al Gore, the latest public attempt at debunking climate change, then you really arent paying attention. Quoting Raindog:
The feel good argument may be a popular one
Now this part i love, the old underdog tactic. Noone wants to be seen as populist... im not sure if believing 99% of scientists in this field can really be classed as populist though, but nice try.

Quoting Raindog:
A very large proportion of the population is not able to receive advantage from these rebates, the distribution of Rudd money has been far from fair or equitable.

Do you remember the day that you became a Libral-National puppet? Seriously have you ever said anything that wouldnt have Little Johnny slapping you on the back, thanking you for staying loyal to the previous governments policies?

01 September 2009, 11:48 AM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting Pauly:
where do i start.

That's for you to work out. Perhaps to with some sort of clue?


Quoting Pauly:
Im not debating climate change with you

You've proven yourself incapable of debate. Your simply regurgitating the thoughts of others.


Quoting Pauly:
im sure you are also aware that this is not possible

Not through any inability on my side of the equation.


Quoting Pauly:
and so you are using personal attacks

Where? quote examples if you wish to make wild accusations. Your the one that has resorted to name calling etc.


Quoting Pauly:
in order to believe that you have "won"

I have won, you have been totally unable to substantiate your argument and have resorted to name calling. TKO for you lad.


Quoting Pauly:
I believe it was you that was trying to

No I put forward the suggest that those who insisted on following popularist lines and who refuse to even consider differing ideas or outlooks were the true ignorant of our age. I've considered both sides of the issue, clearly you have not!


Quoting Pauly:
Now if you dont know that this quote you are referring to comes from Senator Steve Fieldings questions to Al Gore,

I know nothing of the kind, I dont need someone else to ask my questions. But what of it anyway? What makes Gore the expert, what decides Indira Naidoo can suggest it is science not to question any issue. If their position is so strong why are they so afraid of substantiating it?


Quoting Pauly:
then you really arent paying attention.

Nothing to do with me paying attention and everything to do with you being on a hiding to nothing.


Quoting Pauly:
Noone wants to be seen as populist..

You and your ilk seem to crave being seen this way.



Quoting Pauly:
im not sure if believing 99% of scientists

Which scientist exactly, the TV ones with the loud shirts?, Miss Naidoo?, Gore?, Poets & musicians?, wet behind the ears university students? It's looking like that 99% is getting a fair infiltration of the unqualified. More to the point even if it was 99% which clearly it is not, only the pig ignorant whould choose to ignore the views of the other 1%.


Quoting Pauly:
Do you remember the day that you became a .......

Hello what's this, it looks like a personal attack doesn't it, there goes any moral high ground you were hoping to cling to. If your having trouble presenting your position without such attacks you should really refrain from pressing that submit button.


Quoting Pauly:
Seriously

No too late for that, after your litany of errors, bias and rudeness you cannot expect anyone to to take you seriously.

The fact still stands that real science, good science, strong science is based on the ability to question rather than to simply accept. If you want to accept junk science that's fine, but try to shoot me down with it and you will become unstuck very quickly.


01 September 2009, 12:19 PM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Pauly (User):

Quoting Raindog:
Which scientist exactly, the TV ones with the loud shirts?, Miss Naidoo?, Gore?, Poets & musicians?,

Someone get under your skin Piers?



01 September 2009, 2:03 PM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting Pauly:
Someone get under your skin

You've not got any valid points to put forward then?


Quoting Pauly:
Piers

Mr Akerman is paid for his opinion :)


01 September 2009, 8:40 PM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Big Baboo (User):

Quoting Pauly:
Either having or being influenced by people who have a vested interest in keeping the status quo.
Hey I resent that "Pauly" Status Quo happen to be one of my all-time fave bands and yes the ol' Harley may not be that environmentally friendly being a '74 model but hey it get's me around which is more than I can say for my PC :)



29 August 2009, 12:00 PM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tony23 (User):

Well, the flip side is that a mode of transport that has lasted since '74 has done you pretty darn well. I'd be pretty happy if I could go and buy a PC with rebate, thanks to Kev, and have it last until 2045. I wonder how many environmentally friendly Prius' will be able to boast that!

If you purchased a aluminum mac, it should be able to take some axles and wheels - you can look uber cool using it as a skateboard. Don't forget to wear that baseball cap the wrong way around......

29 August 2009, 12:12 PM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Big Baboo (User):

Quoting Tony23:
If you purchased a aluminum mac, it should be able to take some axles and wheels - you can look uber cool using it as a skateboard. Don't forget to wear that baseball cap the wrong way around......

Heh heh :) Do you want me to splatter myself all over the sidewalk "Tony23" I've never had an accident on me bike but I've bent myself pretty badly with other forms of transport :)




29 August 2009, 2:33 PM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tony23 (User):

Bugger! I thought that you just might do it and then post something like "My Mac crashed" and then I'd get to sit back and watch you deal with the 60 flames from the mac fanboy club!!!!

So if I took the $900 stimulus (wealth redistribution) and purchased a Mac, with the 50% off, is there a Mac I could actually afford. I know there are plenty of PC's (especially if they were running Linux) but dunno about Macs.

29 August 2009, 7:26 PM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Big Baboo (User):

Quoting Tony23:
So if I took the $900 stimulus (wealth redistribution) and purchased a Mac, with the 50% off, is there a Mac I could actually afford.

Not too sure about that one "Tony23" :( Wouldn't that $900 just about be a decent deposit on a good model Mac. My neighbour makes TV commercials for a living and he was running PC's for ages and they were
ok but kept crashing a lot.About 1yr ago he swapped whole hog over to Mac's,Has no problem with them but he said the cost was outrageous.
I'd hate to have to pay for what he's got if I couldn't claim it back on my taxes :)




30 August 2009, 2:01 PM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

TV Bis (User):

I do believe that you have to be below a certain wage threshold to receive the tax break. That's what the tax man told me anyway about claiming computer software for the kids. I guess it will be the same for computers. I don’t get any of the benefits but I will have to pay a higher tax to repay it. Makes no cents to me.......

29 August 2009, 8:14 PM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tony23 (User):

Spot on! It's nothing but a transfer of benefits to the biggest voter base. If we have to have this stupidity, then it's right to be means tested. BUT far better that it didn't happen in the first place. People need to get used to the idea of living within their means and taking responsibility for their own decisions, including having kids. I too resent the fact with so much of this that I will be paying it back, at the same time as listening to a large number of complete flogs in the community banging on about how they should have got more! What, getting something for nothing from an unwilling provider wasn't enough???!!! Perhaps it's time to reward people who get off their backside!!!!!

29 August 2009, 8:28 PM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

BN (User):

We bought a new laptop for misses to share with the teenage son as he's just started high school. We also deducted the cost of our Canon MFC and broadband connection too.

Next year I'll upgrade our 2 main PC's even tho their both already quad core rigs with 4gig of ram lol maybe a bigger LCD and new Vid card.

30 August 2009, 1:12 PM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tackler (New user):

I have 1 child at highschool and 1 in primary and so was able to upgrade my main pc (m/b, ram, cpu), buy a $1000 laptop and also claim my internet costs for the year. I was $40 short of the 2 thresholds combined and got back from the taxman 50%. It worked for me.

If it is available again next year I will be claiming my internet costs, a NAS and possibly another upgrade to my main pc.

02 September 2009, 3:24 PM (6 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

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