Everald is Chairman of Longevity Alliance Australia which is based at the University of Queensland where he is an Adjunct Professor.
The Alliance involves seven Australian Universities in researching and implementing strategies to transform Longevity into a social and economic asset.
He is Honorary Campaign Leader of Dying with Dignity Queensland and is actively involved in the Campaign to have Voluntary Assisted Dying Legislation enacted in the Queensland Parliament.
Everald was a Founding Director of National Seniors Australia in 1976. He served on its Board of Directors for 35 years, 25 of them as Chairman. He then took up a new role as Chairman of the Federal Government’s Advisory Panel on Positive Ageing and served a three year term.
He has twice served terms as an Adjunct Professor at the Queensland University of Technology and is an Honorary Senior Fellow of the University of the Sunshine Coast as well as being an Ambassador of that University’s Thompson Institute of Mind and Neuroscience.
In 1996, he founded the Inland Railway which will eventually link Melbourne and Darwin via Parkes, Toowoomba, Gladstone, Mount Isa and Tennant Creek. He worked on this nation building project for 18 years until the Federal Government announced it would finance and construct the first section.
Everald is Chairman of the Everald Compton Charitable Trust, and the longest serving Elder of the Uniting Church in Australia (61 years). He serves also as Chair of ACTS which is a Uniting Church Charity that forms partnerships with people who are in needy circumstances.
He is a Certified Practicing Accountant, a Certified Practicing Marketer and author of THE MAN ON THE TWENTY DOLLAR NOTES, a best selling book on the life of Flynn of the Inland which can be purchased on this website. His next book, DINNER WITH THE FOUNDING FATHERS will be published at Easter, 2020.
Everald led an international fund raising consultancy, Everald Compton International, for 50 years. It had offices in Brisbane, London, Wellington, Vancouver and Johannesburg while conducting over 1000 fund raising campaigns in 26 nations.
He became a Member of the Order of Australia in 1993 for services to the community and received the Centenary Medal in 2001 for his services to the Transport Industry. He is a member the Queensland Club, the Brisbane Club, and the National Press Club.
He and Helen have been married for 61 years and enjoy a happy life with their four children and eight grandchildren.
Just a thought to make the tax system a little better/fairer.
What about a 2% revenue tax on ANY revenue going to any approved ADI.
Any companies earning revenue in Australia would pay the 2%.
I I chose to have a dozen bank accounts and move money between them, I would pay 2% on each move – I could keep track of my funds myself and avoid paying the tax.
Gone would be personal tax returns
Gone would be the GST
Gone would be petrol excise
Gone would be Company tax avoidance
and if the ADI’s were to remit to the government monthly, the ATO would be severely downsized.
Just a thought
What a disgrace! Intelligent people in Parliament bickering over “Same Sex Marriage” when 100,000 Australian’s are homeless, many being women over 70. Shame, Shame, Shame.
If an Inheritance tax comes in it would be most unfair on me and my carer. My carer is a Sister-In-Law who has lived with me 10 years. She does not own a house as husband died 28 yrs. ago young. She has only been able to work part-time and not all the time and not lately very little super. As I don’t have much money left and my last boss went broke I have NO super she would have to sell the house which is not grand but close to transport/shops. House worth $750,000.= $38,000 ! Most unfair on some who inherit a property in her circumstances. Especially if those with a house already then sell/cash in say mum & dads house. Keep their house NO tax and keep $500,000 of the other. You would have to ensure livein CARERS of more than 2 years would not be disadvantaged
I watched with interest your address to the National Press Club recently where the Blueprint for an Ageing Australia was released. It piqued my interest because I am a self funded retiree and also acutely aware of the plight of many older Australians relying solely on the aged pension.
But throughout the speeches and responses to predictable questions, I found myself wondering
WHY ARE WE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE INTRODUCTION OF AN INHERITANCE TAX?
The tax could be levied at the rate of 15% on that part of a deceased estate exceeding $500,000. For instance, the tax payable on an estate valued at $1mil would be $75,000 and $225,000 on a $2mil estate.
No tax would be payable (a) if the estate is valued less than $500,000; or (b) where it passes to a spouse (de facto partner, same sex etc. to be defined) or dependent children/family members.
A tax could be levied on the estate and all other existing tax arrangements would continue to apply. It would be payable within 6 months of the individuals’ death.
In certain circumstances there could also be provisions establishing a time payment plan to remit the tax payable (e.g. the sale businesses, or where cash flow is seasonal).
There would also need to be specific rules (or even exemptions in certain circumstances) for on-going businesses, family businesses, farms, trusts, etc.
To limit tax avoidance, rules in relation to gifts exceeding a value of (say) $20,000 by the deceased, within 5 years of his/her death would need to be included in the estate.
So gifts to family and friends, colleagues etc. would continue to be tax free to the beneficiary BUT the donor would need to live longer than 5 years after the donation of a gift or it would be included in the value of the estate.
Such a tax is justifiable, easily introduced and would contribute to the increasing costs of our ageing population. It would be a repayment for the taxpayer subsidised services provided to the deceased such as medical and hospital services, concessional taxed superannuation, social security payments etc. by those that can afford it. It would also recognise that the very generous superannuation concessions (“tax free” earnings) are available for one’s own use in retirement, and a portion of any unused concessions should be paid back when it is no longer needed.
In many ways this passing on of the wealth earned through tax concessions to the next generation is adding to the widening gap between haves and have nots.
A 15% Inheritance Tax would be much more palatable to the middle class than including the family home in the pension assets test.
I can think of hundreds of reasons why it should be introduced, but none, other than selfish and greedy scenarios, against.
Jim Holmes
I would be interested to know why you put forward the idea of reintroducing the most despicable, soul destroying abhorant and nastiest tax ever devised by man. I for one sincerely hope that such a disgraceful suggestion is never listened to or entertained by anyone in power.
John Morton
Wholeheartedly agree John. In my case would be soul destroying for my Sister-in-law/CARER and such a worry for me. What gets my goat is Age pension only (me) needs a rise $50 as we languish below the poverty line. Younger generations will have more super than we. I’d like to see a much better Super system say like Canada. They use their funds to buy infrastructure i.e. Port of Brisbane etc. we should use our Future Fund to do the same. Next it is unfair that some are having more than 5 children up to 14 all on welfare many never working – this reaping of the system, at the expense of others dare I say it …seniors, has to stop. All child welfare should cut out after 2 children, you pay for more – Centrelink is not infinite. Another avenue of savings is our pharmaceutical rort of a system. As a young Anthropology student I spent time in the Far & Middle East I could see that many in Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey were very healthy people into old age. Cannabis (Kaneh Bosum) grows wild and strong along the roadside and is their (and their animals) medicine. Indeed was used by Ancients in China and is written, used by Moses and Jesus Christ to heal – mixed with olive frankincense cinnamon and myrrh all anti inflammatory which could negate the cost of joint replacements in the Billions $’s. It is found to heal much – arthritis osteo/rheumatoid heal broken bones, osteoporosis, some cancers MS fibromyalgia epilepsy and an enzyme in the THC is stopping infections of Golden Staff. MRSA a huge cost in hospitals and loss of limbs + disability, premature nursing homes. Cost of herbal cannabis oil should be $12,000 compared to say some arthritis biologic drugs $52,000p.a. A knee replacement costs $22,000 plus hospital stay $10,000 why not introduce Stem Cell replacement joints cost $8,000 no nursing/hospital costs saving $14,000p.p. Joint replacements in ageing populations is becoming a huge cost. Currently many of us survive on deadly opiates for pain + we need more drugs for the side effects of the side effects. Switzerland is now recognizing more of the alternatives to lower costs and negate the add on drugs for the side effects ! Cannabis would be a double edged winner for us, instead of paying out huge sums $’s for mostly USA/UK pharmaceuticals who pay no tax in Australia – if we grow it here and make to standards by say Blackmores et al (they were recently refused a license to grow Cannabis to standards in NSW…….Pity) who pay tax for hospitals, ageing etc. and give our people and farmers jobs. Sales of Australian grown/made non gmo could be a whole new industry as big as the mining was. Canada bought our first crop off Norfolk Island. Many of the answers to affording good care for older people are there – we just need leaders wise and caring enough to grasp them with both hands and get those lesser not working, to stand aside.
Dear Everald, I hope that this approach is in order.
I am still supply teaching at 76 years of age, and therefore am able to ‘test the waters’ re human health and well-being in the Wide Bay, Qld., area.—in spite of some pretty horrific age discrimination, of late.
My ‘grandpa’ status actually works in my favour, even with the most cranky classes.
After being entranced in the article about you and your amazing work in the UCA JOURNAL magazine, for this month, I decided to write to you re any ideas you, or your colleagues could share.
Very briefly, I had a ‘light-bulb’ moment, recently, re the appalling situation of so many kids and their extended families in this region, and want to promote an INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HEALTH PREVENTIONS…, in 2017, (involving anything that is tearing down human health) which may sound a bit ‘Irish’ but is intended to avoid any taint or even suspicion of preaching to so many who are desperate, pain-filled and lonely.
To conclude, the multi-dimensional needs in terms of human wholeness/wellness are HUGE, and only a collaborative approach will be effective, in reaching the people and motivating them to change their lifestyles—regardless of their ages.
And I forgot to add that I have had the further insights to invite world leaders, such as Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama, to demonstrate that the human spirit and mind MUST be considered in any approach to health that aims for TOTAL HEALING.
Thank you, to one and all, who read and perhaps consider this article.
Kind regards,
Kevin Kingswell.
(H) 07-4123-6729 (with answering service)
(M) 0437- 657 -701
My email address is kevinckingswell75@gmail.com
Your comments about John Flynn to-day on Landline reminded me of the talent and vision of that womderful man. Having worked for short time in “50’s in South Australia Inland, I am aware of the marvellous work of that man. Wher can I buy your book?
Good afternoon, Everald
Over many years, I’ve been impressed by your varied presentations, and your article today on ABC Landline regarding John Flynn left me feeling in awe of our forebears.
About 30 years ago now, I accompanied an old friend, Reverend Aubrey Baker on one of his Outback Services visits, and again was inspired by his work in the outback. But above all, I was left without doubt of the loneliness, seclusion and hardship that many outback people endure – a then lack of links with the coastal cities and their concentration of population.
For many years,too, I’ve been a follower of the need for wider utilisation of rail transport and the need for hubs throughout our nation for logistical integration of rail and road transportation.
Ken Berrill
Hi Everald,
Thank you for continuing to take up the reins of ageing. My Mum’s own experience in aged care is one similar to probably thousands of others who found themselves able one day and totally dependent the next. The story relates mainly to the severe lack of qualified medical staff, eg registered nurses, in aged care facilities and Mum’s story attests the possible and most likely probable outcome for our oldies. I tried, of course in vein, to have someone take responsibility and then to act to rectify the issues. Timing can be everything sometimes and in this case it was. I can send you Mum’s story which is self explanatory.
I know this particular issue is only one of many but if the end result is Mum’s story, then fixing all the other issues may prevent the kind of life she experienced in her last 8 years.
Yours sincerely, Glenda Galvin
Hi Everald and Staff, Can you send me a direct email address please. I am working on a serious matter for seniors & disabled people and need your comment. Am just out of hospital and cannot type the whole thing 1 1/2 pages again. It concerns disabled and older people being hurt on MRI et al other Radiology machines as they do not have pressure care spinal supports as they have overseas. The machine beds are too hard and people being hurt, injured more etc. Staff belittling older people who cannot hold still for l/2 hr. Hospitals just dismissing calls for appropriate patient pressure care comfort out of hand without looking at the solutions available overseas.
Hi Everald,
It looks like we have similar passions related to positive ageing and longevity. Perhaps you would like to watch a TEDx talk I did a while ago to get some insight into what I am doing and how I think.
Perhaps we could connect over the phone/skype to learn more about our respective work.
Warm regards,
Inge van der Poel
Hello Everald
I saw your impressive presentation on the ABC today.
I have significant corporate business experience but have been unemployed for two years.
I would be very keen to work in any capacity with you to assist you expand your ideas for the benidit of all seniors.
Best regards
Rob jones.
0414873481
Hi Everald,
I am interested to take up the challenge of lack of national infrastructure and planning and heard you speak at Parkes at the invitation of the IMC, talking about the Steel Mississipi Project.
I would like to tale up the batton and have interest in meeting with you to see what may be achieved. I am currently looking at several billion dollars in development’s and would have interest in bringing water from up north to inland Australia through various venture capital and foundation funding opportunities. I can be contacted on 0413524713.
Kind regards
David Moffitt
HI Everald, I hope you are well. I am a journalist who is writing a story on positive ageing for Aged Care Insite magazine. I was hoping to interview for the story. I can be contacted on 0423 410 388 or at my email address – louis.white@louiswhite.com
Thanks Louis White