[bottle~rocket]

This article talks about the need to increase the rate of the Newstart Allowance (or the dole, if you prefer). I agree that the rate of Newstart is paltry and urgently needs to be increased. This writer suggests means testing the childcare rebate to help pay for it, and I think she makes a good case:

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/...1214-2bfdo.html

[ekbaby]

I definitely think Newstart needs to be raised, especially now that they are expecting single parents with children over 8 to live on it. $246 week is just not do-able.

[lozoodle]

What a joke.

[liveworkplay]

I definitely think Newstart needs to be raised, especially now that they are expecting single parents with children over 8 to live on it. $246 week is just not do-able.

Actually according to the online estimator you with one 9 year old, $0 income, $300 a week rent, no child support and $100 in the bank you would be getting nearly $950 a fortnight in government benifits. Not great but significantly more then what you quoted.

This post has been edited by liveworkplay: 18/12/2012, 12:47 PM

[JRA]

I definitely think Newstart needs to be raised, especially now that they are expecting single parents with children over 8 to live on it. $246 week is just not do-able.

Err since when? Someone with low income and children would also get FTB-A and FTB-B. But heh, that doesn't make a good story!

This post has been edited by JRA: 18/12/2012, 12:47 PM

[Tigerdog]

I wouldn't agree with an increase in the dole per se, however I would approve of an increase in rent assistance to come into line with rates in the private market and other such incentives rather than handing out cash to be used on anything. Don't forget, people on certain unemployment streams (including those long-term unemployed) can access a lot of financial and other support via their job network agency. If in very dire need and on, say, Stream 4 they can go onto the Personal Support Program, or PSP, where the agency pays for courses, clothing for interviews, mobile phones, emergency relief vouchers and even in some cases, short-term motel accommodation for the homeless. There's a huge amount of funding allocated to these services (not mentioned in this article, obviously!) but people need to be meeting their Centrelink mutual obligation requirements to get access to the help.

This post has been edited by Tigerdog: 18/12/2012, 12:53 PM

[Peridot]

Or maybe keep the dole as it is, and give fortnightly vouchers for food (not alcohol and cigarettes), power, petrol, public transport, clothes etc..

[slapdasherie]

Actually according to the online estimator you with one 9 year old, $0 income, $300 a week rent, no child support and $100 in the bank you would be getting nearly $950 a fortnight in government benifits. Not great but significantly more then what you quoted.

And having $175 a week for everything else is living the life of Reilly.


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[bottle~rocket]

Err since when? Someone with low income and children would also get FTB-A and FTB-B. But heh, that doesn't make a good story!

The $246 per week quoted is the max rate of Newstart for a single person without dependent children. Are they not worth caring about?

This post has been edited by bottle~rocket: 18/12/2012, 01:04 PM

[niksia]

Peridot - we really need a like button in here.

My understanding of Newstart is that it is not to "live" off, it is to "survive" off temporarily until you can find another job.

In saying this I do not think that the single parents, disability etc should be bundled into this or similar categories. Instead of giving big cash amounts put the money were it is needed. Instead of CCR put funding into childcare to help reduce fees. Instead of the education bonus thing, give it to schools based on a per capita rate etc etc. At least then the money is going were it is meant.

Of topic slightly and I am sure I will get flamed but I would have no problem allowing for free contraception programs. Not just condoms but the pill, depo, whatever to reduce the accidents from just taking the chance (I know no contraception is 100% but not using any has an even higher fail rate). This is purely to try to stop the cycle of poverty. If this is available it is not well publicised - I recently had a conversation with a 17yo with intellectual delays who was having unprotected sex because she could not afford contraception