Hi Marc,
You are spot on. I have kids who are very motivated. Two of whom went to uni with very little assistance from me. The third was an SAS member and now a manager of a very large international company.
I never found it easy back in the "good old days" I believe the assistance that youth has available now is much better and there are more opportunities. However the lack of motivation has increased in young people and this is the problem.
Don't get me wrong. Most young people are motivated its just some slackos give the majority a bad name. The number of these slackos has increased. The gvt has the right idea in a few areas. Making it harder to get assistance will force them to get off their behinds.
The $7 for free GP visits will have the desired affect in reducing the number of trivial visits. Because if its not free anymore people will think twice before adding to the medical burden. I have seen, "Johnny needs a splinter removed and Johnny scraped his knee. It bleeds when he squeezes it.
While I was a child and had attended at the doctors for every time I leaked a little blood I'd be there 2 - 3 times a week. Sometimes more.
I say to them "Harden up sissy boy"
The more they are given, the more they take and the more they will demand.
End of rant.
Cheers