Kevin

[Kevin @Kevin486DX266]

@ellymelly But they're making education "free" so they'll have plenty low quality, low effort courses to keep them busy. Who needs real work experience when you've got socialism!

[Kevin @Kevin486DX266]

HECS / HELP is a fantastic program. It helped me and many others to attain tertiary education. But some people don't seem to understand what they are signing up for.

The fix is simple - start repaying HECS sooner, even if it's just a small token amount each year from the moment any income is earned.

Right now the threshold is over $67k - way too high. People delay real repayments for years while indexation piles up, then get a shock once they have to start paying, at which point the repayments are steep.

Lower the threshold (just token amounts for lower income earners), and it builds better habits while actually reducing the debt faster. Even those small payments help stave off runaway indexation and will help avoid people burying their heads in the sand, pretending the debt doesn't exist.

It's not punishment - it's basic responsibility for a loan you chose to take. Credit cards and mortgages don't let you ignore the balance for years. Why should HECS?

[Kevin @Kevin486DX266]

I appreciate where you're coming from, but that’s a very narrow outlier, not reflective of the average Australian investor who just has some shares or a single investment property.

Most are regular income earners building modest wealth for retirement, not $10M heirs speculating idly. These investments carry real risk and usually come from wages that have already been taxed.

Ensuring high earners pay their share is reasonable, but treating everyday investors like moguls by slashing incentives would discourage people from investing their hard-earned money, reduce future self-reliance, and hurt economic growth.

[Kevin @Kevin486DX266]

The Ken Lay report even admitted there is "no clear evidence" that numerical caps reduce risk.

If someone is fully vetted and complying with storage rules, why does it matter if they own 5, 10, 50 or more guns? Compliant owners aren’t the problem.

Nice to see the Allan government get something right for a change, though it feels like the recommendation was set up for political posturing.

[Kevin @Kevin486DX266]

I look forward to hearing "Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!" once Eris starts kicking goals.

The person calling a normal national chant a "nationalist dog-whistle" may need some help. What a very strange, sad, and pathetic way to view people celebrating their country’s achievements.

[Kevin @Kevin486DX266]

Playing right now for the umpteenth time. Arguably the best in the series. It sets up the lore, characters, and galaxy with unmatched depth for 2008 (yeah, I feel old). Jank combat aside (mechanics were also ambitious and revolutionary for the time), it’s a storytelling and world building masterpiece.

ME2 is also an absolute masterpiece, just in a very different way, but if you are new to the series, or haven't played in a while, please don't skip ME1 - especially if you value great storytelling.

[Kevin @Kevin486DX266]

@angelar68197975 Legally owned firearms in the hands of licensed, properly vetted owners aren't the issue - the data proves it. No need for another expensive buyback or further restrictions.

Just enforce existing laws, share intelligence nationwide and focus on criminals with illegal guns.

[Kevin @Kevin486DX266]

@CSI_Starbase Sorry they did this to you. Note rated accordingly.

A properly written note to add context is arguably valid, but this was deliberately crafted
to be mean and misleading. This is clear abuse of the system.

[Kevin @Kevin486DX266]

@CSI_Starbase Thanks Zack. Looking forward to watching later this evening. Really enjoyed part 1. Appreciate your hard work, dedication and the uh, uniqueness of your format.

[Kevin @Kevin486DX266]

I initially thought this was incredibly stupid for the obvious reasons, but I've changed my mind.

Two real benefits:

1) No surprises for the vendor - they can remediate issues or price accordingly.

2) Saves everyone the drama of contracts collapsing late because of inspection shocks.

Plus, if done right, it puts more pressure on builders to stand behind their work.

It streamlines the process and boosts transparency, hopefully resulting in fewer abandoned deals.

The key takeaway by far is, this doesn't replace a buyer's own independent inspection. Anyone silly enough to think it does should probably stick to renting.

[Kevin @Kevin486DX266]

Yeah.... they definitely over-promised and under-delivered, but I still feel that many people got a vastly improved service sooner than they would have otherwise had with a full FTTP roll out. Was it worth the extra cost? I think so based on my experience, though I do wish it had of been managed better.

[Kevin @Kevin486DX266]

@topnobau @thejackbeyer @AstroForge Aussie here - happens plenty, but not nearly as much as in America since it's harder for the thieving c%&ts to flog them off thanks to stronger scrap industry regs.

Hoping AstroForge ramps up supply soon, before Jack loses his cats for a third time!

[Kevin @Kevin486DX266]

I own a regular sedan... sorry to burst your bubble.

Do you have anything substantive or just insults? I thought you were capable of reasonable argument?

You think my opinion is bad? Tell me why. Say something like: Whilst personal responsibility and pedestrian education is important, harm minimisation should be the ultimate goal. Or say you don't think a reduction in speed really impacts anyone compared to the benefits. They are all valid points to be argued. Be a bit snarky if you like, but this straight up immature rubbish is beneath you (or so I thought reading your posts).

[Kevin @Kevin486DX266]

60 as the default, like it used to be. 50 on narrow streets or mixed traffic areas. 50 is slow enough. 40 for school zones where risk exists (not divided roads with side streets). The hand wringers are now pushing for 30 zones because people can't watch where they are walking and will blindly step out in front of cars.

The lack of respect for peoples time and prioritisation of people who can't take responsibility for their own safety, needs to end.

[Kevin @Kevin486DX266]

@exQUIZitely To be avoided on vintage gear - excess wear for little benefit. I was devastated when the 2GB spinner in my 586 started telling me it was done. Got DOS / games safely on to a CF card, but it's not the same. Retro builds must have disk noise. Will find another spinner I think.

[Kevin @Kevin486DX266]

Climate alarmists lack the critical thinking skills to see that destroying our economy whilst other countries manufacture all the shit we take for granted, using poor environmental practices, is a net negative for the environment. If you people really cared, we'd have nuclear powered, clean manufacturing.

[Kevin @Kevin486DX266]

The date isn't changing - you've been losing steam every year since people saw through 'the voice'. Polls are hardening the other way for good reason. The perpetual victim complex isn't reconciliation, it's just endless agitation.

People like you don't actually want progress, you just want a cause to to get on your high horse over. If the date flips, you'll just find something else to sook about, because real, useful work doesn't feel as good as attending a rally.