Coronavirus update

[davidc4430]

Coronavirus update: Formula One Grand Prix called off, Trump announces travel ban, Tom Hanks tests positive

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-12/coronavirus-live-updates-mclaren-lewis-hamilton-travel-ban/12...

[brerrabbit585]

On one of my visits to England I remember a few foreign students (as in not from England) complaining that they couldn't get a discount when they visited stately homes and other tourist attractions. I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from saying if they could afford to go at all then they could afford to pay full price.

I didn't read the link but maybe the family in question had someone pay for the trip for them. I know someone who goes on cruises that are paid for by someone else and they never declare it to Centrelink. One day they'll get caught out (I hope so). You're not supposed to get paid at all while you're out of the country and anyone who travels overseas has to take the risk that they'll get trapped there if something unforeseen happens (war, volcanoes, earthquakes, ill health, disease outbreak, government coup, etc etc).

[imastawka]

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@rogespeed wrote:

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@domino-710 wrote:

Interesting - cheapest flights for 5 - 2 adults & 3 daughters = approx $4,000

Ad on Insurance for each for the time of travel - even if it is only for loss not health.

Ad on spending while holidaying.

Ad on rent on Guilford home.

Stuuufffed if I know.

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Not all Centrelink recipients blow the discretionary portion of their benefits on Drugs , Alcohol, Gambling and some have the capacity and motivation to accumulate funding

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Who said anything about drugs, alcohol or gambling?

Centrelink benefits don't even cover the cost of living.

So how did the whole family manage air fares to China whilst paying rent?

No-one can save while on benefits - don't care how frugal you are.

[the_great_she_elephant]

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@imastawka wrote:

I'd like to know how a family on Centrelink benefits can afford overseas travel.

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It's not only the unemployed who receive Centrelink benefits - they may be pensioners or receive a family allowance (or whtever it's called these days). 

[brerrabbit585]

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@imastawka wrote:

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@rogespeed wrote:

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@domino-710 wrote:

Interesting - cheapest flights for 5 - 2 adults & 3 daughters = approx $4,000

Ad on Insurance for each for the time of travel - even if it is only for loss not health.

Ad on spending while holidaying.

Ad on rent on Guilford home.

Stuuufffed if I know.

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Not all Centrelink recipients blow the discretionary portion of their benefits on Drugs , Alcohol, Gambling and some have the capacity and motivation to accumulate funding

---

Who said anything about drugs, alcohol or gambling?

Centrelink benefits don't even cover the cost of living.

So how did the whole family manage air fares to China whilst paying rent?

No-one can save while on benefits - don't care how frugal you are.

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You're wrong on that and I'm living proof.  I live on about half of what newstart pays and the rest (if there is any) I put away for a rainy day.

[the_great_she_elephant]

Brerrabbit wrote: I know someone who goes on cruises that are paid for by someone else and they never declare it to Centrelink. One day they'll get caught out (I hope so).

Why would they have to declare the gift of cruise tickets to Centrelink? Should they also be expected to declare the value of every Birthday or Christmas present they receive or the cost of their meal any time someone takes them ot to dinner?

[domino-710]

The point seems to be - a family of 5 - travel to China - knowing the rules of overseas travel while on Centrelink payments.

They now find themselves in difficulty.

We know s....t happens - but meanwhile - the Australian taxpayer is funding a holiday for 5 - though it maybe - not quite the holiday they expected - they chose.

To be able to afford this - for 5 - along with maintaining rent on their Sydney home - along with utilities - even though not in use - still incur a service charge - begs a question.

While others on similar payments - are barely able to survive.

[rogespeed]

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@imastawka wrote:

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@rogespeed wrote:

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@domino-710 wrote:

Interesting - cheapest flights for 5 - 2 adults & 3 daughters = approx $4,000

Ad on Insurance for each for the time of travel - even if it is only for loss not health.

Ad on spending while holidaying.

Ad on rent on Guilford home.

Stuuufffed if I know.

---

Not all Centrelink recipients blow the discretionary portion of their benefits on Drugs , Alcohol, Gambling and some have the capacity and motivation to accumulate funding

---

Who said anything about drugs, alcohol or gambling?

Centrelink benefits don't even cover the cost of living.

So how did the whole family manage air fares to China whilst paying rent?

No-one can save while on benefits - don't care how frugal you are.

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I was being a bit over the top  in order to highlight what i consider to be a churlish assumption that centrelink recipients can not possibly save money - although i must say do wonder , being long term working + NS 

[imastawka]

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@brerrabbit585 wrote:

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@imastawka wrote:

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@rogespeed wrote:

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@domino-710 wrote:

Interesting - cheapest flights for 5 - 2 adults & 3 daughters = approx $4,000

Ad on Insurance for each for the time of travel - even if it is only for loss not health.

Ad on spending while holidaying.

Ad on rent on Guilford home.

Stuuufffed if I know.

---

Not all Centrelink recipients blow the discretionary portion of their benefits on Drugs , Alcohol, Gambling and some have the capacity and motivation to accumulate funding

---

Who said anything about drugs, alcohol or gambling?

Centrelink benefits don't even cover the cost of living.

So how did the whole family manage air fares to China whilst paying rent?

No-one can save while on benefits - don't care how frugal you are.

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You're wrong on that and I'm living proof.  I live on about half of what newstart pays and the rest (if there is any) I put away for a rainy day.

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But Brer, you have an ebay store, so not entirely dependant on welfare.

D'you think you can afford 5 tickets to China at a cost of min. $4K?

[brerrabbit585]

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@the_great_she_elephant wrote:

Brerrabbit wrote: I know someone who goes on cruises that are paid for by someone else and they never declare it to Centrelink. One day they'll get caught out (I hope so).

Why would they have to declare the gift of cruise tickets to Centrelink? Should they also be expected to declare the value of every Birthday or Christmas present they receive or the cost of their meal any time someone takes them ot to dinner?

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The rules have always been that they have to declare gifts.  If someone pays your electricity bill for you, you're supposed to declare it.  If someone pays for a cruise worth a few thousand dollars, they're supposed to declare it.  It's no different to someone giving them money and then they spend it themselves (rather than the other person do the actual paying).

[domino-710]

Three daughters.

Assuming it was the eldest commenting in the piece - 16 years old.

Pensioners - perhaps not.