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.
One NZ'er,due for release and deportation,killed himself in Goulburn Jail the other day.You might not see that on the news,though.
There are numerous references to the unfortunate suicide that are easy to C&P CHOOSE HERE
Daily Telegraph (Not the DT)
Excerpt
"The meeting with Ms Bishop took place amid growing calls for the New Zealand government to take action, following the death two weeks ago of Kiwi-born Junior Togatuki in a high-security detention centre while he was awaiting deportation."
This Bishop bone was picked dry here weeks ago !
I again notice that research, especially that relating to parliamentary procedures / entitlements is somewhat minimal, especially when you consider that this topic has been "done to death" here a fair time ago. But I suppose any C&P that seems yummy is worth copying ! But checking is advised.
"The Australian Federal Police's refusal to examine whether Bronwyn Bishop broke any laws by chartering a taxpayer-funded helicopter to a Liberal Party fundraiser is under investigation."
What absolute nonsense, that is the purvue of the Department of Finance
The AFP would, I imagine, be thoroughly fed-up with MPs, and others, who have no knowledge of the protocols involved, or just wish to attract a few headlines for the less than knowledgeable. to drool over.
"A loophole that allows federal politicians to secretly repay wrongly claimed entitlements without the public knowing will also be scrutinised by the Commonwealth Ombudsman."
I doubt if it will, as repayment in these circumstances is between the MP, the Dept of Finance and the plethora of "regulations" and has been so for many years under both "gangs"
If the public wish to know details of any refunded monies they have but to run a FOI.
Some not so "yummy" facts:
ABC Fact Check
The verdict: The rules are not clear. In the many documents describing how the system works, there is no definition of what constitutes parliamentary, electorate and official business.
"There are 11 separate pieces of legislation that govern parliamentarians' entitlements. There are also three sets of regulation, six determinations by the Remuneration Tribunal and 21 determinations by the Special Minister of State."
"As noted by the Secretary to the Remuneration Tribunal "
“while the Tribunal is responsible for inquiring into and determining, or advising upon, matters in its jurisdiction, it is not responsible for the administration of entitlements.”
The Age
"Labor's stance would be all the more commendable if the party had troubled to bring greater rigour and accountability to parliamentary entitlements in the past. In fact, both the major parties have conspired to create a system remarkable for its all-encompassing and all-forgiving nature, and in which misleading or false declarations are forgiven the instant the entitlement is refunded."
