Diary of our stinking Govt.

[boris1gary]

As it's more than 100 days now, it has been suggested that a new thread was needed.  The current govt has been breaking promises and telling lies at a rate so fast it's hard to keep up.

This below is worrying, "independent" pffft, as if your own doctor is somehow what? biased, it's ridiculous. So far there is talk of only including people under a certain age 30-35, for now. Remember that if your injured in a car, injured at work or get ill, you too might need to go on the DSP. They have done a similar think in the UK with devastating consequences.

and this is the 2nd time recently where the Govt has referred to work as welfare???? So when you go to work tomorrow (or tuesday), just remember that's welfare.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-20/disability-pensioners-may-be-reassessed-kevin-andrews/5400598

Independent doctors could be called in to reassess disability pensioners, Federal Government says

The Federal Government is considering using independent doctors to examine disability pensioners and assess whether they should continue to receive payments.

Currently family doctors provide reports supporting claims for the Disability Support Pension (DSP).

But Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews is considering a measure that would see independent doctors reassess eligibility.

"We are concerned that where people can work, the best form of welfare is work," Mr Andrews said at a press conference.

[i-need-a-martini]

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@bella_again wrote:

I think there is a lot of confusion about the role of a chaplain though, its actually not to teach anything religious unless asked to.  That is the CRE teacher different again, perhaps that is where the main argument is?   The bottom line is everyone has a belief system that influences children.  We had a pysch here at the high school that was pushing eastern religious practices and new age rituals on kids that didn't want it.

I think its about recognising there is a need there but addressing that with common sense.  Like I said I do not agree with counsellors being removed from schools in place of chaplains alone. Both can benefit a school environment.  Pastoral care is actually multi faith anyway so its about meeting the needs of a range of diverse students with a lot of different belief systems.

That is only my opinion of course we all see it differently and thats ok too. 🙂

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There is no confusion. Even without doing it intentionally, the values of chaplains will affect the type of counselling they give.

For some schools, like mine, being forced to employ a religious based chaplain instead of the money being used for our 3 day per week trained psychologist, could have a major impact. We are an inner city, non-secular taught to embrace their differences. I doubt very much that a religious chaplain is going be quite as positive when faced with a confused, gay team.

[bella_again]

No they are no different than anyone else that passes on their values.  As I mentioned earlier what about the eastern religious influences and new age influences that the pysch tried on children and I add are taught in some school curriculum. I am aware of those and in fact my DD showed me some work that involved these belief systems.

I accept that people have different beliefs but the reality is that EVERYONE working in a school will influence kids with their belief system, christian, new age, eastern religion Buddhist, Muslim and even atheist.  So the only answer would be to sack everyone.

Christian chaplains do embrace everyone, clinical pastoral care is multi faith.  If they don't embrace gay teens then they are not doing their job properly.  It is not their job to force religious belief down anyones throat and if they try you as a school have every right to complain and action will be taken.  While I understand your objection from your point of view,  at least give a chaplain a chance before you judge them.

Having said all that I do not believe sacking psychs and counsellors in place of  chaplains is right either, they can work effectively together and often do. 

[***super_nova***]

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@am*3 wrote:

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@karliandjacko wrote:

Are students whose families can afford to pay up front (those who don't needs HELP) still offered a 50% discount on their uni fees?

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It was about 10 or 20% about 7 years ago. I think it might be gone altogher now, or if it is still enforce it is so small not very attractive option.

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They did definitely offer 50% off to my daughter some 18 (?) years ago.  They would, now and then, send her letter saying if you pay $1000 lump payment we take additional X% off the debt.  Then once they offered to 1/2 the remaining amount if she paid it all.

[***super_nova***]

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@paintsew007 wrote:

History has proved that many of these religiously aligned 'counsellors' cannot and should not be trusted.

Non-Secular counsellors have a far better all round and HEALTHIER acumen IMO.

What would be 'healthier' would be to discuss with children ALL religions and faiths. E.g. Christianity faiths, Islam, Shinto, Buddhism, Hindu,aspects of Cults,etc etc .....this would better educate and in the long run 'educate' our children....afterall this is why they are at SCHOOL isn't it?

It is not a forum to indoctrinate nor are children fodder for these churches IMO

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I am not against children being taught ABOUT religion at school = about ALL different religions. 

And of-course, the counsellors are free to have their faith, but they should be helping kids with their problems not indoctrinating them.  I do not know who does it in other states but here in VIC we had many complaints about kids being indoctrinated and given anti gay literature etc. 

The chaplains suppose to be there to counsel kids not to bring them into Hillsong congregation

[***super_nova***]

History has proved that many of these religiously aligned 'counsellors' cannot and should not be trusted.

Non-Secular counsellors have a far better all round and HEALTHIER acumen IMO.

What would be 'healthier' would be to discuss with children ALL religions and faiths. E.g. Christianity faiths, Islam, Shinto, Buddhism, Hindu,aspects of Cults,etc etc .....this would better educate and in the long run 'educate' our children....afterall this is why they are at SCHOOL isn't it?

It is not a forum to indoctrinate nor are children fodder for these churches IMO

[fourandsixpants]

to bella who said:

........... at least give a chaplain a chance before you judge them...................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................

....I did, I innocently did 'give them a chance' and as witnesses the present adults certainly gave him/them a great chance.

Thousands upon thousands of innocent children and trusting parents and carers gave these church people 'a chance'.....and you reckon we should just all 'turn the other cheek' and allow them another??!! Sure.....every person should be given a chance BUT not a WHOLE POWERFUL LOBBY GROUP being the CHURCH ORGANISATION....they should NOT to be given an 'in' like this into our school system, regardless the auspices ('counsellors') being put forward!

This I am totally against. No apologies

....it is not up to me to 'judge' these people......they condemn themselves IMO.

We are all idiots if we let this happen.

[fourandsixpants]

personally ......I'd like all the upper hierarchy church and religious proponents of this secular based scheme to stretch over and forward as far as their fat little bellies will allow so I can see where to shove their $224 million.

[karliandjacko]

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@***super_nova*** wrote:

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@am*3 wrote:

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@karliandjacko wrote:

Are students whose families can afford to pay up front (those who don't needs HELP) still offered a 50% discount on their uni fees?

---

It was about 10 or 20% about 7 years ago. I think it might be gone altogher now, or if it is still enforce it is so small not very attractive option.

---

They did definitely offer 50% off to my daughter some 18 (?) years ago.  They would, now and then, send her letter saying if you pay $1000 lump payment we take additional X% off the debt.  Then once they offered to 1/2 the remaining amount if she paid it all.

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Yes, it was in the 90s that I had the same offer.  I was astounded that they were adding interest to the HECS of those who needed it while offering half price fees to those who didn't.

[***super_nova***]

[fourandsixpants]

I am convinced this is his ultimate dream.

To be a serving prime minister of Australia during a war.

May our gods and beliefs protect us IMO

[***super_nova***]

He so far milked the MH17 for all he could, and will continue to do so.  But that one is running out of puff for time being.  War would be exactly what he needs.  I am all for doing something about IS but I think we have done quite a lot already considering we are just a small nation on the other side of the world, and do not forget we cannot afford our medical scheme or educate our children, so how can we afford yet another war?