But unless the upcoming budget has some surprise goodies in it, then he might as well go and blow smoke up you know where.

The former treasurer ‘Smokin’’ Joe Hockey, told us the time for leaning was over and we should all work until we were 70 before getting a pension – then jetted off overseas to take up a cushy government posting.

Fair enough ... I don’t have any problem working until then, in fact until the day I drop, and as a pen pusher developing my marriage celebrancy, and other businesses, I have options.

But not my mates who as tradesmen have done hard, manual work all their lives.

I have mates who are in their 60s and 70s who are solicitors and real estate agents, but I doubt they could still be working if they were plumbers, electricians etc.

However, we do have some things in common.

Ageism, restricted access to social security benefits and lack of relevant tertiary courses and their cost are just starters.

We also have a lot in common with all of the other demographics, particularly the cost of living.

And specifically the cost of health.

There is no problem with a levy on our taxable income – although we know there are a lot of cheats when it comes to that- to fund the scheme.

But after that it becomes ridiculous.

Most of us pay for private insurance so we don’t have to go through the public system with its waiting periods and other hassles.

But it has just got too expensive and the Baby Boomers are likely to leave private insurance schemes and move to the public system.

And their electoral muscle will ensure that it is paid for by government coffers.

Then there is the “gap”, especially when it comes to specialists and their fees.

Now specialists have worked hard to get in a position where they can charge a decent fee, so is it their fault or the stupid amount that Medicare pays? I suggest the latter.

But the one that really sticks in my craw is that all medical expenses are no longer tax deductible. Maybe if they were, the government would not be facing the trouble it is.

Two years ago I took about $7000 in medical bills into my accountant at tax time only to be told that there was no claim I could make.

Go figure.

Last week I had to go to Melbourne to see my specialist and undergo a procedure which could only be done in Melbourne, the cost of which was $320.

And the amount paid by Medicare or my private health fund was … wait for it … drumroll … a big fat zero.

Why?

No doubt the private health fund will say they have paid out far more for me than I have paid in, but they forget that I have been a private health fund member since my teens and it was many years before I became a liability (about a decade ago).

Trust me, I enjoy running my own businesses and love being a marriage celebrant and everything that goes with being a marriage celebrant, but I don’t mind asking for a bit of a hand occasionally.

So over to you Malcolm – and don’t stuff it up.

MICK MCGLONE