How big is one trillion?

We need to get used to this

The BBC helps out:

"A million seconds is 11 days;

A billion seconds is around 32 years;

And a trillion therefore is 32,000 years"

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Extrapolation is fun

By 2100 the unemployment benefit will be worth less than one-fifth of the pension, with the rules the way they are.

(Assuming 2.5 per cent unemployment benefit growth, 4 per cent pension growth)

John Quiggin is fond of quoting Herbert Stein's Law, which is:

"If something cannot go on forever, it will stop."

So I predict that this unhealthy, unsustainable farce will stop; most likely as soon as May 12 when Rudd and Swan bring down their Budget.

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