Single mum turn to brothel and stripping.

[the_bob_delusion]

"Some single mothers hit by recent welfare cuts to parenting payments have turned to prostitution and strip clubs in order to keep a roof over their family's head."

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/single-mums-turn-to-brothels-and-stripping-20130120-...

Would you consider it if things got tough?

Would you have respect for these mums for turning to these jobs?

[katydidthat]

For sure the Coalition would be worse on single parents and those people with a disability ... but is that any reason not to condemn Labor (of which I used to have greater expectations)?

The cuts in income work out to about 16%.  

What's the average rent in your place?  Let's take a very low figure of $200 per week ... $400 per fortnight.  On an income of $840 per fortnight that leaves $440 for everything else.  Food, groceries, power, school uniforms and supplies, clothes, water, transport, insurance on  car, home contents, internet access, telephone ... 

As to the changes taking effect only 3 weeks ago ... people have just had the expenses of Christmas and school holidays ... maxed out credit cards ... coupled with loss of income ... people are getting desperate and it's going to get worse.  

[love*today]

No way would i consider it, ewwww!

Id grow as much food as i could,fish...barter?

[polksaladallie]

They would have to do only one job a week to make up the shortfall.  B-)

[judyztreasurez]

The next problem will be increased shoplifting & hold-ups. People are struggling & they will struggle more. Of course they only need to do one job a week

[polksaladallie]

The next problem will be increased shoplifting & hold-ups. People are struggling & they will struggle more. Of course they only need to do one job a week

?:|  I was referring top the original topic.

[cherry*135]

The article says the changes will affect about 60 000 parents, then goes on to mention 20 or so single Mum's that may have turned to brothels/stripping to make up the shortfall in benefits... hardly worth a news story.

In the big scheme of things, it is a good change, as it will send out the message to young girls that being a single parent on benefits is no longer the gravy train it used to be.

[katydidthat]

I remember going to court when I was about 17 ... a friend was on jury duty and I went to watch.  The person on trial was accused of stealing a loaf of bread to feed his children.  He was found guilty and sentenced to jail.  

What sort of society are WE when we leave no options but illegal activities to feed our kids?  

For many parents, there are FEW or NO suitable jobs available.  Many of those people live in areas where food is more expensive than in the major cities ... 

[katydidthat]

it will send out the message to young girls that being a single parent on benefits is no longer the gravy train it used to be.

Gravy train?  

Hardly.

In areas where there are few jobs available, cutting benefits is going to have no impact aside from leaving single parents with a lower income.  This government - and the alternative - have no idea what many people are going through.  

Life was tough before ... now it's tougher.  Meanwhile, Ministers earn ... what ... $6,000 ... per week ... is that right?  I think I read that recently when one Minister said that she could live on the dole.  How can they even imagine what single parents have to do to feed their kids, and keep them sheltered.  

[azureline**]

They have a jury trial for stealing a loaf of bread? 😮

[polksaladallie]

They have a jury trial for stealing a loaf of bread? 😮

No mention of a jury trial, Az