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.

[bella_again]

Not sure if this has been posted but here we go again!

ard bid to stop welfare wasters

• SAMANTHA MAIDEN and MATT SMITH
• Mercury
• March 22, 2015 12:00AM

32

Mining magnate and Aboriginal advocate Andrew Forrest, left, has shared his views with Prime Minister Tony Abbott on how tackle welfare dependency.

A WELFARE card that would stop recipients spending taxpayer-funded benefits on drugs, alcohol and gambling will be trialled this year.

The card, which aims to curb growing domestic violence against women and children, including in remote communities, is the brainchild of West Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest.

The Sunday Tasmanian ­understands the Federal Government will go ahead with the card in coming weeks, with limited trials planned for some of the most disadvantaged areas in the country.

Mr Forrest originally proposed the card to tackle Aboriginal disadvantage and welfare dependency, but the proposal trial will be aimed more broadly at other communities deeply affected by ­violence and inter-generational welfare dependency.

Tasmania has some of the most entrenched welfare-­dependent communities in the country and is a likely test site.

Read more here:

http://www.themercury.com.au/news/politics/card-bid-to-stop-welfare-wasters/story-fnpp9w4j-122727303...

[alexander*beetle]

That is absolutely disgusting Bella. I don't remember seeing Forrest's name on any ballot papers. This has been proven to not work in the communities they have already introduced it to. The government will determine where people can shop and this obviously leads to jacked up prices so in fact it will cost more for recipients of welfare to buy things. Additionally, all sorts of rorts have cropped up for people to actually sell things to get cash. You cna't shop at markets, discount places etc. Only those determined by government officials. 

The other side of it is the absolute contempt the people on welfare are held. It is that old adage that anyone who is on welfare is ripping off the system. You hear it here, in the MSM and people's annecdotal comments. As if the one or two people they know ripping off the system is everyone ripping off the system. Why aren't they going after the tax dodgers, the black economy etc. There is far more money being rippied off by these people than welfare rorters. So sick of this divisiveness being put forward by this incompetent government. 

[bella_again]

Well said Alexandra although they did mention that it could be used in a variety of places so not sure if they have changed that aspect? But yes you are right reports show that recipients will sell products brought and trade items for alcohol. I think we will see an increase in domestic violence and addiction. it won't curb a thing all it will do is cause more social issues that will overtime cost more.

[cherry*135]

A WELFARE card that would stop recipients spending taxpayer-funded benefits on drugs, alcohol and gambling will be trialled this year.

The card, which aims to curb growing domestic violence against women and children, including in remote communities, is the brainchild of West Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest.

Is it the same idea as floated in 2012?

2012

The Australian government is rolling out a radical new way of paying welfare benefits that may be instructive for other countries around the world.

Instead of being given cash or cheques, thousands of people are now issued with electronic "credit" cards.

The Basics cards, as they are called, can only be used to purchase "priority" items such as food, housing, clothing, education and health care.

The government calls the cards a form of income management. While some use the cards voluntarily, for others they are compulsory.

That is why this world-first system of welfare payments has won both praise and disapproval.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18951205

22 March

The Abbott Government has spent months negotiating with banks over how to introduce the cashless welfare card. It would work in any store that accepted VISA, EFTPOS and Mastercard.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/cashless-welfare-card-to-stop-addicts-using-money-on-drugs...

[polksaladallie]

Christopher Pyne fixes Star Wars in hilarious mash-up

http://www.news.com.au/national/christopher-pyne-fixes-star-wars-in-hilarious-mash-up/story-fncynjr2...

[cherry*135]

That is where he (and his mates) belong, in the movies, in fantasyland.

[bella_again]

You notice they are trying to save on case management and the income management where recipients have a social worker or case worker assigned to them? If that is the case they are in for a rude awakening as these cases are often complex and need much more than just a plastic card. I like the way the quote South Africa as a successful reduction in fraud yet it didn't work here to resolve issues as they just sold what they could and traded for drugs. Doesn't work in the USA or NZ all of them are flawed schemes and alot say it had little success in the trial areas here. So why are they trying to apply something that has shown in most countries to not work?

[alexander*beetle]

Pure paternalism. And contempt for anyone on welfare. Forgetting the miners et al who are also on welfare under another name. I'm so angry about this. 

[bella_again]

So they are going to cut the tax on companies and accelerate depreciation while they pick on the poor.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-23/business-urges-government-to-deliver-bold-budget/6339464

Business chiefs Innes Willox and Jennifer Westacott urge Abbott Government to deliver 'bold' budget

[debra9275]

the reader comments underneath the article are an interesting read too Bella.

If the Abbott govt had not talked down the economy the way they did last year, perhaps people would be feeling safe enough to spend money