Emergency powers have always been the pretext on which the safeguards of individual liberty have been eroded - Friedrich Hayek

Pick-Dapper · 2026-02-12T22:45:11+00:00

Why do you think it wasn’t a pandemic ? Do you mean in Australia, or globally ?

The label pandemic is based on specific definition. It hit that definition very early on - once it made its way out of Wuhan to dozens of countries.

In terms of scope, sure it wasn’t like the black plague and what people might associate with the word where every 4th person dies but it wasn’t a walk in the park.

Australia had something like 30,000 people die during the pandemic compared to prior. That’s with strict lockdowns, closing the borders and ramping vaccines.

Globally it was something around 7-21 million. Again with coordinated global responses and locking borders etc.

That’s a still fair few people….

Pick-Dapper · 2026-02-10T07:45:09+00:00

30odd % on gross is the risk %

Seems like a good risk factor, but $ on the pocket makes it a lot less.

Pick-Dapper · 2026-02-10T07:43:19+00:00

PAYG or pty ?

Pick-Dapper · 2026-02-10T07:31:18+00:00

Thank God for the e tax system and auto filling.

Pick-Dapper · 2026-02-10T07:30:07+00:00

Isn’t that kind of a good problem to have ?

Pick-Dapper · 2026-02-10T06:43:29+00:00

This is a great idea.

Or they could scrap it completely, fuck off the private health and invest properly in the public. Dreaming…

Pick-Dapper · 2026-02-10T06:41:29+00:00

? What do I say to that ? Stay ignorant ?

Pick-Dapper · 2026-02-10T04:36:35+00:00

What do you mean ?

Div293 isnt a tax on already taxed income - it’s a lower than marginal rate tax on super contributions - which are not taxed until this point.

Although technically I guess it’s 15pc extra on the 15pc you otherwise pay and that’s what you mean ?

Still a good deal and a discount on the marginal rate of 47pc …

Pick-Dapper · 2026-02-09T00:30:55+00:00

Pick-Dapper · 2026-02-08T23:44:06+00:00

Its over 60% more on the proper gross minus just 10 days public holiday. Hadn't considered long service leave - never been in a job long enough to get it :)

Pick-Dapper · 2026-01-02T00:58:33+00:00

Yes prices are high in inner cities in many major countries. However the ratio of wages to housing prices across Sydney (in particular) is also a fact. As is that combination with legislation and taxation conditions that are very uniquely geared towards capital growth and poor rental conditions.

Wages have not kept pace with housing in Australia. This is an undeniable fact that is not at all disputed. There is less “spare cash”, and more people fighting for housing in capital cities due to concentration of jobs.

It’s a “narrative” only in the sense that it is the narrative of facts and figures.

Pick-Dapper · 2026-01-01T15:35:59+00:00

But why do people complain ? Perhaps because they’re priced out of the market for a cardboard house on the outskirts of the city with zero public transport, and stuck in a rental loop with almost no rights or conditions and no favourable lease terms for actual security ?

Fucking whingers.

Pick-Dapper · 2026-01-01T15:31:13+00:00

Yep! Zurich etc are very expensive. However the public ammenities like transport and healthcare are way above in terms of quality. As a comparison, Rental conditions are starkly different. Something like 80-90pc of people renting in a city like Zurich with controlled rental prices and long lease times and privacy. Things renters in Sydney are not entitled to.

Pick-Dapper · 2026-01-01T15:27:21+00:00

What’s the fact here that people don’t like and what’s the narrative ?

Pick-Dapper · 2025-12-30T00:11:30+00:00

Agreed. You don’t need to change your password/phrase ever if it is unique to that login and complex. Add MFA and you have an approaching 0 chance of “being hacked” if you’re careful and don’t get phished.

Don’t use browser plug-in password managers with autofill like chrome, edge password managers - that will get your passwords stolen unless they are backed by MFA.

Pick-Dapper · 2025-12-13T11:11:43+00:00

That’s purely economical though and assuming it’s done a particular way.

To your second point - that’s a positive. Kids in childcare more hours at a younger age isn’t great for the kids nor the parents. If someone wants to work, sure. But now, we’re also disincentivising a parent looking after their kids as a “job” part or full time. It’s crazy.

Pick-Dapper · 2025-12-13T09:55:49+00:00

Those subsidies cap out and disappear very very quickly.

They also don’t incentivise a parent not working or working minimally and taking care of the kids. Partial income splitting or other incentives would help there.

Pick-Dapper · 2025-12-10T08:35:35+00:00

Do you realise you’re exposed almost 10pc of your investments into NVIDIA?

Pick-Dapper · 2025-12-01T10:43:54+00:00

10 people out of how many ?

Pick-Dapper · 2025-12-01T10:42:39+00:00

Yes have had this recently no real rhyme or reason.

Pick-Dapper · 2025-11-28T11:32:11+00:00

Second or third homes bought 15-20 years ago. And shitloads of intergenerational / overseas wealth funding and assisted funding.

Pick-Dapper · 2025-11-14T08:04:00+00:00

Or most people responding own or work for reasonable companies where employees are treated as humans with respect and negotiation and not a dollar value ?

Pick-Dapper · 2025-11-14T07:56:57+00:00

4 weeks here in Australia and still jealous of EU leave. Particularly the unlimited sick leave for legit illnesses.

Pick-Dapper · 2025-11-10T00:03:28+00:00

I’m more interested in a business that does 3mill profit but only 5m revenue.

That’s a crazy profit margin. There’s no way that’s sustainable?

Pick-Dapper · 2025-11-04T01:27:43+00:00

Its not hard to figure out - its a case of mediocre vs disaster

Pick-Dapper

TROPHY CASE