David Plunkett

Ex public servant with spreadsheet and unnatural interest in the tax-transfer system. Views affected by retinal scarring. Plays in a band & badly solo. DM open

[David Plunkett @DPlunky]

Charts, charts, charts. I'm starting a collection of my main ones here should you want more: https://t.co/aeMLrU0nvC

[David Plunkett @DPlunky]

Does anyone know if legislation has been introduced to Parliament yet enabling the increases to the medicare low income thresholds announced in the budget? Haven't spotted it myself. Cutting it fine if not.

[ACT Policing @ACTPolicing]

ACT Policing is seeking the public’s assistance to locate missing 52-year-old man Steven King.

Steven has not been seen or heard from since 3pm yesterday afternoon and was last seen leaving his home in Rivett. Steven has an intellectual disability and is non-verbal.

He is described as Caucasian in appearance and has short, shaved hair. He was wearing black jeans, a blue top and a dark grey hoodie as well as distinctive dark, velcro style sneakers. Steven frequents areas in the Weston Creek and Woden districts and is likely to be on foot.

Anyone who has seen Steven since 3pm yesterday is urged to contact ACT Policing on 131 444. Please quote reference number P2462703.

More: https://t.co/xPQA3UrX08

[ACT ESA @ACT_ESA]

AusAlert is a new national warning system that uses the latest technology to send emergency messages to compatible mobile devices.

It will be ready to use in October 2026, but before it launches, the National Emergency Management Agency needs to test the system in communities across Australia.

A test is scheduled at 10:30 AM on Wednesday 10 June 2026 near the Molonglo Emergency Services Station.

If you are in the test area, or neighbouring suburbs including Duffy, Wright, Coombs and Holder, your mobile devices, such as mobile phones, tablets and smart watches, may receive a test alert.

The test alert may cause devices to vibrate and include a loud, siren-like sound that lasts about 10 seconds.

If this could disrupt you or cause you or a loved one to feel unsafe, please turn off your mobile devices or switch them to aeroplane mode before the scheduled test time of 10:30 AM, and leave them off for at least one hour.

As this is just a test, you don’t need to do anything, but in an actual disaster you should follow the alert instructions to keep yourself and
others safe.

To learn what an AusAlert sounds like, visit https://t.co/kNG4RbE1tV

[David Plunkett @DPlunky]

Just to be clear, this compares the treatment of a particular family type with the same kind of family 1, 5 & 10 years apart. It's not the same family (eg, there's no ageing of the children).

[David Plunkett @DPlunky]

1, 5 & 10 years for a two-income couple with two older children. Once again, the 5 year result takes us back into COVID supplement territory, which is why the losses on income support are so large.

[David Plunkett @DPlunky]

1, 5 & 10 years for a single income couple with 3 young children. As with my earlier single person post, the 5 year result reflects the loss of the COVID supplement.

[David Plunkett @DPlunky]

@themetresgained It can be read as 2 low incomes. I was trying to see if there was a way it might make sense, hence the one is high, one is low thought bubble.

[David Plunkett @DPlunky]

1, 5 & 10 yr change in disposable income for single person. 5 year loss for job seeker reflects removal of COVID supplement.

[David Plunkett @DPlunky]

@e11_anna Don’t think adding $1K is intended.

[David Plunkett @DPlunky]

Coherent and consistent policy in action.

[David Plunkett @DPlunky]

@themetresgained Welcome 😊

[Mark 🇦🇺 @Mark_Graph]

An update on Australia's use of the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve: https://t.co/aupIEmnCpD
#auspol #ausbiz #ausecon #OOTT

[David Plunkett @DPlunky]

@e11_anna Indeed.

[David Plunkett @DPlunky]

1, 5 & 10 year change in disposable income for single income couple, 3 young children. 5 year case looks extra wild because it's showing the loss of the COVID supplement.

[David Plunkett @DPlunky]

Austudy's design (?) gives some earners a choice about how much to earn to get a given disposable income. Eg, to get a disposable income of $50K they can earn either $36.7K or $67.5K.
Two different ways of showing this in chart form

[David Plunkett @DPlunky]

@e11_anna Did you pass? 😊

[David Plunkett @DPlunky]

@e11_anna Have been reading.

[David Plunkett @DPlunky]

@ZacGross I only included the most common formula scenarios in my spreadsheet. From memory there are several I didn't include, based on their relative obscurity and my laziness. If you want more details, DM me.

[David Plunkett @DPlunky]

Might be better for a child support payer not to find a new partner, especially one that's unemployed and looking for work...