Disabled New Zealanders living off Australian tax payers

[croetraele]

I recently read the following article:

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/new-zealand-migration-to-australia-soars-40-per-cent/stor...

and found the mainly sympathetic story interesting in that there are quite stringent guidelines such as New Zealanders who have arrived in Australia since 2001 must wait 10 years to apply for the dole - which is cut off after six months - and their children cannot access the HECS loans scheme to attend university. Something I thoroughly agree with however there is an exemption for New Zealanders claiming disability pensions (including mental health claimants whose disability cannot always be 100% proven), allowing them to come here and live off us until they die.

Do you think this is right or should they be sent packing back to where they came from where their own government and people can support them?

PS. To any "bright" sparks in a dither that this article is 10 months old, SO WHAT? 😄

[croetraele]

It's a concern...

[azureline**]

I am not concerned, we have reciprocal arrangements with NZ..

The people concerned have been paying taxes already..................

[croetraele]

What people concerned? The ones receiving benefits? No, they don't pay tax.

I understand we have a reciprocal arrangement but the fact remains that more New Zealanders want to live in Australia than the other way around (which is understandable)

[lurker172602]

*just wait while I put on my body armour, and then have a good look at my tongue in cheek*

It's extremely stressful being a Kiwi in Australia, we deserve everything we can get.

[croetraele]

LOL, I thought you were a Kiwi - that explains everything! And I thought you were on benefits - that says it all!!

:D:D:D

[lurker172602]

Oi! Never been on benefits!
But OH does accuse me of being a bludger sometimes 🙂

[azureline**]

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@croetraele wrote:

What people concerned? The ones receiving benefits? No, they don't pay tax.

I understand we have a reciprocal arrangement but the fact remains that more New Zealanders want to live in Australia than the other way around (which is understandable)

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GST is a tax........................ so yes they do, however, what have they been doing during the last 10 years?  Working, I imagine and paying tax.

[croetraele]

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@azureline** wrote:

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@croetraele wrote:

What people concerned? The ones receiving benefits? No, they don't pay tax.

I understand we have a reciprocal arrangement but the fact remains that more New Zealanders want to live in Australia than the other way around (which is understandable)

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GST is a tax........................ so yes they do, however, what have they been doing during the last 10 years?  Working, I imagine and paying tax.

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LOLLLLL paying for goods and services with welfare from the Australian government? LOLLLLL

I'm not talking about the "working" Kiwis (and if you read the article you will see many who live here and don't get welfare, simply lay about in poverty), I'm talking about the ones receiving Parental Tax and Disability pensions and have never worked or paid ANY tax in this country, but can still afford a computer and to spend their days on internet chat rooms 😉

[croetraele]

No, but you're a Kiwi so your children will be