[Guest_3Keiki_*]

http://www.smh.com.au/olympics/news-london...0811-241mo.html


so interesting concept. I agree some of these athletes who have gone on to earn megabucks from their career should be paying something back into the cost of incubating their talent. I mean someone who goes to uni does... And it is all public money at the end of the day.

[RatbagBob]

I think it's fair enough. It should work just like HECS whereby if you don't hit the minimum threshold, you don't have to pay the money back, and you pay it back through your tax.

To me, it's still staggering that someone who has earned as much money from sponsorships and tie-ins as Ian Thorpe, for example, doesn't have to pay back one red cent to the public purse that funded it.

[soontobegran]

Not a bad idea except for the fact that the number of elite athletes who actually go on to make millions is minimal in Australia and then those who do pay squillions in taxes just like all other high income earners do.
The bulk of elite athletes live very frugally trying to combine training 6 days a week and a job to keep a roof over their heads.

[SplashingRainbow...]

Agree with stbg. Very high income earners pay a high marginal tax rate in Australia.

They most certainly "pay some back" if they are successful.

Not against a hecs style loan but the inference successful athletes don't contribute is not at all true.

[jacqg]

I don't understand why athletes think they don't get paid enough hence why I have not watched a minute of the olympics because I'm so sick of hearing about it. It's not like the country benefits because of their wins. other than we get to feel warm and fuzzy while the national anthem is played for 90 seconds. If they don't like how much they get paid, then try getting a real job and then see that life isn't a walk in the park for the rest of us either. I don't understand why so much tax payer money is put into personal pursuits like sports when there are people dying because they can't have operations done because there are no beds at the hospital free and nursing home waiting lists are ridiculous.

[ubermum]

Mum and I were talking about this exact thing the other day and I said I thought athletes should have to pay for their support through a HECS style scheme! I know I owe the government a load for my education which I will earn an income, why should they not pay for their "education" that allows them to earn an income?

[Erma Gerd]

those who do pay squillions in taxes just like all other high income earners do.

Wouldn't that same argument apply to university educations and HECS? We're already paying tax once we're earning enough, so there shouldn't be a need for extra repayments?

[Guest_3Keiki_*]

Not a bad idea except for the fact that the number of elite athletes who actually go on to make millions is minimal in Australia and then those who do pay squillions in taxes just like all other high income earners do.

Agree with stbg. Very high income earners pay a high marginal tax rate in Australia.

They most certainly "pay some back" if they are successful.

Not against a hecs style loan but the inference successful athletes don't contribute is not at all true.

Ah no its not!
If I was to do a uni course that put me into an industry where I could earn big big bucks not only to I pay high tax but I also pay back my HECS. Why on earth should a high earning athlete be any different???? After all user pays tertiary education was introduced because it is public money so surely the AIS et all should be treated the same

[Helena Fembo]

I think it's fair enough. It should work just like HECS whereby if you don't hit the minimum threshold, you don't have to pay the money back, and you pay it back through your tax.

To me, it's still staggering that someone who has earned as much money from sponsorships and tie-ins as Ian Thorpe, for example, doesn't have to pay back one red cent to the public purse that funded it.

As usual, I completely agree with Bob

[soontobegran]

I don't understand why athletes think they don't get paid enough hence why I have not watched a minute of the olympics because I'm so sick of hearing about it. It's not like the country benefits because of their wins. other than we get to feel warm and fuzzy while the national anthem is played for 90 seconds. If they don't like how much they get paid, then try getting a real job and then see that life isn't a walk in the park for the rest of us either. I don't understand why so much tax payer money is put into personal pursuits like sports when there are people dying because they can't have operations done because there are no beds at the hospital free and nursing home waiting lists are ridiculous.

It is rare to hear an athlete to publically complain about their lack of funds so I have no clue how you could get sick of hearing about it? FWIW..most of them DO have a real job too!
Of course successful athletes provide financial benefit to their countries. Why else would so many countries whose population live a life of poverty go to the lengths they do to get some representation in the world sporting arena?