It's time for Tam's Takes - you ask the questions, and I answer them! This month you've asked me which peanut butter is best (there's only correct answer here) and about paying super on paid parental leave.

I also share your thoughts on the top issues facing Australians right now. Keep reading to take a look at some of the answers that came in.

Don't forget you can tell me what's on your mind at tammy@lambienetwork.com.au!

Which peanut butter do you prefer - smooth or crunchy?

 - Mel (via email)

Smoothie? Nah.

Crunchy? Yep.

Super crunchy? YEAH! I'm a super crunchy girl.

I saw you asked questions this week about paying super on paid parental leave. Is this really the most important issue right now?

 - Jane (via email)

 Australian Tax Office data shows that for every three dollars a Tasmanian man retires with, a Tasmanian woman retires with two. I don't think people should be punished in retirement because they took time out to have a family. 

I think that super should be applied to paid parental leave. But I also think it's something that should be done when we can afford it.

I've teamed up with the Greens and other crossbenchers this week to come up with a way for the Government to raise an extra $2.4billion over the next three years. I reckon if they take us up on that, then this is definitely something they could look at. They did take it to the election after all!

YOUR TAKES

Last month I asked: ‘What do you think are the top issues facing people in Australia right now?’ 

One issue that really gets under my skin is the rising cost of groceries driven not by supply chain issues or inflation, but by the huge increase in profits taken by supermarket chains in recent years. I don't understand why the government turns a blind eye to this seeing as it is crippling people's ability to put food on the table. The absolute lie that these increases are due to inflation - especially while we all take a hit from the RBA - is disgusting to me.

 - Adam

 

I think the biggest issue is climate change-- if we can tackle climate change head on, we can create the jobs that Tasmanians need now and in the future. If we can tackle climate change now, we can reduce the cost of electricity by using Tasmania's sustainable green energy-- hydro, solar, and wind. We can reduce costs of heating through use of insulation and double glazed windows and efficient hot water systems. We can support businesses that manufacture and install solar panels, double glazed windows, insulation, electric bicycles, and upgraded transportation infrastructure for walking and bicycling and public transport.  We can support builders and tradies who design and build smaller homes that require less heating and cost less to build and live in. We can use Tasmania's new-found reputation for sustainability to attract the healthcare professionals we need to work here-- not keep paying for FIFO locums to take care of our everyday healthcare needs.

If we can tackle climate change, the flow on to everything else will make Tasmania a place we can all afford, from healthcare to homes to education.

 - Rebecca

Tammy over arching cost of living but specifically: rising costs of utilities,meatier, gas & electricity; mortgage stress and rising rental costs; and accessibility to public hospital elective surgery

 - David
 

The inequities in schools continues to worry many of us Aussies.  Surely our nation deserves an education system that gives all kids equivalent  life chances?   (We are not all born equal, so equality may be a dream, but equal opportunity is what governments can provide.) Surely Australia can devise a better system than one that tends to compound the privileges and outcomes of those kids already fortunate  in their family’s resources?  This is what our present system is delivering, it seems to me, so that the majority of working families cannot afford private schooling, unless perhaps as charity cases. 

I am continually astonished at this , having come to Australia 50 years when it claimed to be an egalitarian society.  Would it not be more fair for public schools to receive funding so as to be able offer equally high standards of education (in the widest sense)  and good facilities to every Australian child, no matter their economic circumstances … or creed or colour?

 - Jackie

My major concern is the rents at the moment as I can see so much unnecessary suffering that goes with rental rises. Rental rise effects more than those that are renting . I know there are a lot of good hearted people trying to work out some solutions

 - Michael

Got thoughts on what's in the news right now? Send them to me at tammy@lambienetwork.com.au and I'll pick some to be featured next month.

Want to know what I've been talking about in the media lately? Check out my latest opinion pieces and media releases here.