Rush For Pensions Signals End Of Good Life

THE JUMP in claims for pensions illustrates just how the good life is souring, and not just for baby boomers, a pensions and superannuation expert, Associate Professor John Evans, says.

Taxing Times

Taxing times Imagine the Big Boys in Canberra sitting in their comfort zone and seriously brainstorming, how they can squeeze even more tax out of the already overburdened Australian Taxpayers?

Bye Bye Baby

The longer they stay, the harder it can be. Annie Lawson reports on a book for parents whose children are moving out - and sometimes back again.

Clocking On For Mother Of All Jobs

Kathy Lette's latest book, How To Kill Your Husband - And Other Handy Household Hints, is published by Simon & Schuster. Mother's Day reminds Kathy Lette of the shock of hearing the ticking of her maternal clock - and discovering that being a mum is worth it after all.

Wanted: Staff For 740 Jobs

THOUSANDS of jobs remain vacant in Wollongong and Shellharbour because employers can't find people with suitable skills to fill them.

The Harpers Week 4 - What It Means To The Kids

The Harper children will be among the hardest hit by the GST. As children in part-time jobs who pay no tax because they earn under $6000 a year, Stephanie, Belinda, Daniel and Adam will not benefit from tax cuts designed to soften the GST's blow. But clothing, entertainment and sport, where th

Hot Jobs

Remember that kid who dropped out of school to be a cleaner? He's a millionaire, along with the computer geek who now calls himself a "netrepreneur". And that girl who got a job as a cook hasn't done too badly, either. Maybe it's time to switch careers yourself... Lee Valentine's story

Hot 20 Jobs

OBSTETRICS THERE is a shortage of these specialists and demand is expected to increase. The hours are long and unpredictable and the area is prone to litigation. Childbirth is an emotion-charged event and when parents produce a less than perfect baby they often blame their doctors. Litigation can

Another 'ocean' To Go, For Olympic Gold

What is left now for Shelley Taylor-Smith? After notching up her seventh consecutive world series marathon swimming title last month, it would seem the undisputed queen of the long distance haul has very little left to aspire to. Victory after victory after victory ... it is now a question

Gran And Pop: The New Generation

UNLIKE becoming a parent, grandparenthood is thrust upon people without choice. Many welcome this new role late in life. But the cosy image of grandma sitting knitting while grandpa potters in the shed - between occasional visits from the grandchildren - is a thing of the past. Grand

The Questions Most Asked

CAREER ADVICE/ MY GRANDFATHER was a ``chippie" _ a carpenter _ all his working life and at 91 my grandmother still makes the best Irish stew you ever tasted. Their jobs were lifelong and they were prepared for them at an early age, leaving school at 13 or 14. The world of work which you face

Baby-sitting Isn't Merely Child's Play

After a fruitless mission to eliminate public despair, detective Phil Tap's next task was the riddle of two-income parents. IN 20 years with the force, Phil Tap had seen some pretty grisly sights. But nothing like this. He looked through the house. The rooms had been junked. Drawers pulled out, t

When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Sewing

Delivering pizzas, driving taxis, washing dishes or car windows, cleaning houses, baby-sitting or gardening - whatever the job, in a recession, there are people out there willing to have a go. Enterprising or desperate, they are doing work they may once have sneered at. Hamish Thomps

I'll Bear Your Baby, Says Tracey

Tracey Kingsley has already worked out how she will spend the $10,000 or more she expects to receive. "I'll buy furniture for this place," she says without hesitation. But money is not the main reason she wants to be a surrogate mother; her motives are more compassionate, s

Help The Poor: Employ An Mp

Recent tax law changes have forced some State MPs to take on extra work to make ends meet. Others struggling to keep out of the red say their spouses have had to return to work or stay in jobs they would prefer to leave. One Liberal MP said he had to take another position on a company board