Find a job, Jenny Macklin tells single parents whose benefits are being slashed

    by: PIA AKERMAN and MILANDA ROUT
    From: The Australian
    January 01, 2013

   

FAMILIES Minister Jenny Macklin has urged single parents whose benefits have been slashed from today to find a job and show their children a strong work ethic.     :-?

Tighter restraints on the parenting payment will see around 80,000 single parents, mainly mothers, forced off their pension and moved on to the dole once their youngest child has turned eight, leaving the families up to $223 a fortnight worse off.   

Ms Macklin today defended the changes, saying there was evidence this would prompt more single parents to get back to work.

“Unfortunately we have far too many people - children growing up in Australia in families where nobody is working,” she said. “The more that people go back to work, the better.

“It's better for the family, it's great for the kids to see mum and/or dad, or both, going to work.”


The Australian Council of Social Service and National Welfare Rights Network say reducing access to the parenting payment will have “the greatest impact on people trying to survive on low incomes”.     :(

The measures will claw back $728 million in budget savings over four years.

“Single parents will see a cut of between $60 and $110 per week. This will have a devastating impact on single parent families and their children,” said ACOSS head Dr Cassandra Goldie.     :(

“These families are already struggling as they live below the poverty line.

“Newstart is paid at a much lower rate than parenting payment. These cuts should be delayed until Newstart is increased.”     ;)

National Welfare Rights Network vice president Kate Beaumont also said students will be hit by government changes to Austudy.

“Many young people face ongoing financial difficulties and severe financial stress,” she said. “Low rates of payments add weight to calls from business, welfare groups, the ACTU and the OECD to increase unemployment and student payments by $50 a week.”

Quote:

Tighter restraints on the parenting payment will see around 80,000 single parents, mainly mothers, forced off their pension and moved on to the dole once their youngest child has turned eight, leaving the families up to $223 a fortnight worse off.

Why shouldn't parents go to work once the kids are all at school fulltime.....I see no valid reason why these people cannot work!!!

:-? :-? :-?

“Newstart is paid at a much lower rate than parenting payment. These cuts should be delayed until Newstart is increased.”     ;)

How very Liberal of her LOL  ;D

wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 12:59pm:

“Newstart is paid at a much lower rate than parenting payment. These cuts should be delayed until Newstart is increased.”     ;)

I agree new start should be increased especially since rents are so high.....However having a job is still the best security and provides the most opportunities for the future.....I think the Coalition will not wind this back if they win Government!!!

:-/ :-/ :-/

wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 12:59pm:

“Newstart is paid at a much lower rate than parenting payment. These cuts should be delayed until Newstart is increased.”     ;)

Totally agree with this. The long term costs of cutting payments to already dislocated families could well be more than the savings we make in the current budget. I despise welfare dependency and the damage it is wrecking on our community but there has to be a smarter way of revolving this problem.

We need to have a look at the extremely high effective marginal tax rates for people looking to move off welfare into a relatively low paying job. It might cost us more in the short term but the long term benefits would be huge.

This is why people should vote for the Australian Greens.  They support a $50 a week increase, for the people that are on New start ( No start )     ;)

It's easy for her to tell people to get a job. Trouble is there isn't enough jobs, otherwise unemployment would be  at 0% to 2%. Youth unemployment is incredibly high in some regions, 50.9% in western Sydney. What do you intend to do about that Ms Macklin?
..........................................................

While Australia's overall unemployment rate sits around 5 per cent, unofficial figures from the University of Newcastle put youth unemployment at about 38 per cent.

We've got this labour market mismatch. If you look at youth unemployment globally and we look to countries like Spain and Greece, you know, you've got youth unemployment sitting around 46, 47 per cent and in inner Western Sydney we've got it here from the Government statistics last month sitting at 50.9 per cent.


http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2012/s3599820.htm

philperth2010 wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 12:56pm:

Quote: Tighter restraints on the parenting payment will see around 80,000 single parents, mainly mothers, forced off their pension and moved on to the dole once their youngest child has turned eight, leaving the families up to $223 a fortnight worse off. Why shouldn't parents go to work once the kids are all at school fulltime.....I see no valid reason why these people cannot work!!! :-? :-? :-?

It is fine if you believe raising children isn't a full time job and don't mind Australia raising a generation of latchkey kids wandering the streets getting into mischief.

In order for them to work, there has to be a job there for them.  In the mean time, they are put down onto the Newstart ( No start ) benifit, which is a much less payment.   :(

I'm sick to death of politicians who place no value on parenting and believe the only work of any value is paid work.

You expect that sort of crap from the Libs, but Labor should know better.

Peter Freedman wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 2:09pm:

I'm sick to death of politicians who place no value on parenting and believe the only work of any value is paid work. You expect that sort of crap from the Libs, but Labor should know better.

Well sorry but it's just the CRAPP you are getting from your beloved  LABOR   ;)

Peter Freedman wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 2:09pm:

I'm sick to death of politicians who place no value on parenting and believe the only work of any value is paid work. You expect that sort of crap from the Libs, but Labor should know better.

To be fair, Peter, welfare dependency in Australia is a massive problem. I get your point, and I agree with it, but I'm not sure that's an accurate assessment of Jenny's position.

MOTR, I understand your point. There are many kids who can be trusted to behave when they come home to an empty house.

But that is for the parent and the child to decide together, it is not a role of government.

philperth2010 wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 12:56pm:

Quote: Tighter restraints on the parenting payment will see around 80,000 single parents, mainly mothers, forced off their pension and moved on to the dole once their youngest child has turned eight, leaving the families up to $223 a fortnight worse off. Why shouldn't parents go to work once the kids are all at school fulltime.....I see no valid reason why these people cannot work!!! :-? :-? :-?

totally agree. there is zero reason not to be made to work. The rest of us have to do that so why dont they?

lazy is the only excuse.

Jenny Mackin says she can live on the dole. What a joke, she should be forced to prove it, and I don't mean by living in the house she owns either.

Her department has gone into desperation mode in an effort to cover the adverse effects her big mouth will incur. They're saying the tape is inaudible. Listen for yourself, I can hear it clearly.

"A person living on the dole receives $246 a week.

As a Cabinet Minister, Ms Macklin earns $6321 a week."

http://www.news.com.au/national/i-could-live-on-the-dole-says-families-minister-jenny-macklin/story-fndo4dzn-1226546184170

MOTR wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 1:20pm:

wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 12:59pm: “Newstart is paid at a much lower rate than parenting payment. These cuts should be delayed until Newstart is increased.”     ;) Totally agree with this. The long term costs of cutting payments to already dislocated families could well be more than the savings we make in the current budget. I despise welfare dependency and the damage it is wrecking on our community but there has to be a smarter way of revolving this problem. We need to have a look at the extremely high effective marginal tax rates for people looking to move off welfare into a relatively low paying job. It might cost us more in the short term but the long term benefits would be huge.

disagree. Wlefare dependancy is not reduced by being kind. The depency came about in the first place due to too much freely given for nothing in return. They need to get a job and if they need to be forced to then bad luck. It could lead to the end of yet another family where no one works nor has any intention to do so.

like IMFULLOFIT

Peter Freedman wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 2:02pm:

philperth2010 wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 12:56pm: Quote: Tighter restraints on the parenting payment will see around 80,000 single parents, mainly mothers, forced off their pension and moved on to the dole once their youngest child has turned eight, leaving the families up to $223 a fortnight worse off. Why shouldn't parents go to work once the kids are all at school fulltime.....I see no valid reason why these people cannot work!!! :-? :-? :-? It is fine if you believe raising children isn't a full time job and don't mind Australia raising a generation of latchkey kids wandering the streets getting into mischief.

because kids have never been raised successfully and welfar-free by a working parent before?

My sincere advice to all single mums victimized by Government policy is to make a file on your computer and save a copy of every article and video relating to this issue paying particular attention to what key politicians have top say.  These politicians are targeting and victimizing you because of who you are, they are judging you according to social Darwinist values.  They are trying to force you to compete on their terms in a dog eat dog world.   Accepted you are being victimized and targeted because of who you are and take my advice and collect the evidence and save it...that is your defense...stand true to yourself and your own vales and opposition to their economic aggression...They are taking from single mothers and redirecting those funds to middle class families...You must hold them accountable... 8-) 8-)

wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 2:08pm:

In order for them to work, there has to be a job there for them.  In the mean time, they are put down onto the Newstart ( No start ) benifit, which is a much less payment.   :(

..to encourage them to get work which woudl be HIGHER paid.

do u not get the gist of ANY argument that employs that foreign (to you) concept of work?

Peter Freedman wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 2:09pm:

I'm sick to death of politicians who place no value on parenting and believe the only work of any value is paid work. You expect that sort of crap from the Libs, but Labor should know better.

if parenting is of such enormous value (and it is) then why would being paid or not to do so change it. Are you aware ot the billions of parents who raised their kids weith next ot no govt welfore before this?

some of these people have lost the ability to work. The govt is helping them find it again.

Peter Freedman wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 4:07pm:

MOTR, I understand your point. There are many kids who can be trusted to behave when they come home to an empty house. But that is for the parent and the child to decide together, it is not a role of government.

the govt isnt deciding it. It is just now not prepared to FUND that decision. now - like everyone else - they have to find jobs.

tough.

Single Mums should take my advice...record everything business leaders, politicians and media are saying about them...control that information, share it and use it to defend yourself against their unprovoked aggression...you are being victimized and judged by the violent, the aggressive and competitive..don't forget that.... :)

corporate_whitey wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 4:30pm:

Single Mums should take my advice...record everything business leaders, politicians and media are saying about them...control that information, share it and use it to defend yourself against their unprovoked aggression...you are being victimized and judged by the violent, the aggressive and competitive..don't forget that.... :)

Hows your unlosable High Court action going, twit? surely we would ahve heard about it by now. Or did you finally learn that it cost more than $100 to run a High Court action?

Information is power retard...if your people had balls they would apply their ruthlessness against me, after all, I am the pacifist....but they are frightened of my intellect and what I have on them...its their move....it always is... >:(

philperth2010 wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 1:15pm:

wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 12:59pm: “Newstart is paid at a much lower rate than parenting payment. These cuts should be delayed until Newstart is increased.”     ;) I agree new start should be increased especially since rents are so high.....However having a job is still the best security and provides the most opportunities for the future.....I think the Coalition will not wind this back if they win Government!!! :-/ :-/ :-/

Seriously - are there 80,000 jobs available for them? I dont think so

SOB

I advise single Mums to download every article and video today on what Jenny Macklin has said, file that information, control it, share it with other single Mums.  Hold Jenny Macklin accountable for targeting you and victimizing you... 8-)

Onece again Gold ( Mr Greedy ) has a go at people that are down on their luck.  The single mothers.  Its all very well to say to them get a job, bit its not much good if those jobs are not there.  Yes of cours it would be better, if they had jobs, but do you think that they are just goung to walk into a job.  In the mean time they are put down to the Newstart lesser payment, something like $100 or so a week less.  Which will be as good as survivig in poverty.   :(      

wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 6:42pm:

Onece again Gold ( Mr Greedy ) has a go at people that are down on their luck.  The single mothers.  Its all very well to say to them get a job, bit its not much good if those jobs are not there.  Yes of cours it would be better, if they had jobs, but do you think that they are just goung to walk into a job.  In the mean time they are put down to the Newstart lesser payment, something like $100 or so a week less.  Which will be as good as survivig in poverty.   :(

what the hell would YOU know about employment and getting a job? Everyone elses seems able to do so.

Tell that to all the long term unemployed idiot.     >:(

Seems like stopping welfare bludging in Australia has become a bipartisan pursuit, funny thing is though that while the Gillard government go's after its own it simultaneously imports boat loads more bludgers because according to Gillards own department 94% of boaties are still on the dole after five years ... confusion thy name is Labor  ;D

gold_medal wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 6:48pm:

wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 6:42pm: Onece again Gold ( Mr Greedy ) has a go at people that are down on their luck.  The single mothers.  Its all very well to say to them get a job, bit its not much good if those jobs are not there.  Yes of cours it would be better, if they had jobs, but do you think that they are just goung to walk into a job.  In the mean time they are put down to the Newstart lesser payment, something like $100 or so a week less.  Which will be as good as survivig in poverty.   :(       what the hell would YOU know about employment and getting a job? Everyone elses seems able to do so.

Except 50.9% of the youth in western Sydney and 38% of youth in Newcastle and a very high percentage of youth all over Australia.

It seems that NOT everyone else seems able to do so.

In this brave new online world it seems like you can get a better deal on anything overseas, anything from a pair of shoes to a major operation, I suggest we get a quote from the Chinese to look after our welfare addicted housos, they could probably do it for a tenth of the cost, we could freight them over right now and cut the welfare budget by zillions, lets face it no one will really miss them and if we give all that saved tax money back to private enterprise we'd likely end up with 2% unemployment in no time at all, I don't think too many people here would be against that proposition.

wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 6:50pm:

Tell that to all the long term unemployed idiot.     >:(

just you for now. thats enough. you are not unemployed because that implies intention to be employed.  you are just a thief.

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 7:06pm:

gold_medal wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 6:48pm: wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 6:42pm: Onece again Gold ( Mr Greedy ) has a go at people that are down on their luck.  The single mothers.  Its all very well to say to them get a job, bit its not much good if those jobs are not there.  Yes of cours it would be better, if they had jobs, but do you think that they are just goung to walk into a job.  In the mean time they are put down to the Newstart lesser payment, something like $100 or so a week less.  Which will be as good as survivig in poverty.   :(       what the hell would YOU know about employment and getting a job? Everyone elses seems able to do so. Except 50.9% of the youth in western Sydney and 38% of youth in Newcastle and a very high percentage of youth all over Australia. It seems that NOT everyone else seems able to do so.

you shoudl be a climate scientist witht he statistical integrity you just showed. pick on the two wrost areas in the country and then extrapolate it to everywhere. Im sure that if you graphed youth unemployement you could get a hockey stick graph out of it. Ask Mann how to do it - hes done it many times now.

gold_medal wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 4:16pm:

philperth2010 wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 12:56pm: Quote: Tighter restraints on the parenting payment will see around 80,000 single parents, mainly mothers, forced off their pension and moved on to the dole once their youngest child has turned eight, leaving the families up to $223 a fortnight worse off. Why shouldn't parents go to work once the kids are all at school fulltime.....I see no valid reason why these people cannot work!!! :-? :-? :-? totally agree. there is zero reason not to be made to work. The rest of us have to do that so why dont they? lazy is the only excuse.

Dear Gold_medal,
what if that person can't find a job?
Getting a job these days can be like winning tattslotto.

Bobby. wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 10:37pm:

gold_medal wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 4:16pm: philperth2010 wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 12:56pm: Quote: Tighter restraints on the parenting payment will see around 80,000 single parents, mainly mothers, forced off their pension and moved on to the dole once their youngest child has turned eight, leaving the families up to $223 a fortnight worse off. Why shouldn't parents go to work once the kids are all at school fulltime.....I see no valid reason why these people cannot work!!! :-? :-? :-? totally agree. there is zero reason not to be made to work. The rest of us have to do that so why dont they? lazy is the only excuse. Dear Gold_medal, what if that person can't find a job? Getting a job these days can be like winning tattslotto.

gold_tosser thinks that creating jobs is all about blowing up property bubbles and pulling himself over how much his old dump is worth. Somehow pulling his dick over what his house is supposedly worth and the prospect of sending some unsuspecting punter into 30 years of debt to buy it is supposed to create secure jobs for everyone ;D

With unemployment under 6%, you are not looking hard enough - or you have too many tats and piercings and you smell and generally give off a really bad vibe. In which case your children should be taken from you.

Soren wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 10:57pm:

With unemployment under 6%, you are not looking hard enough - or you have too many tats and piercings and you smell and generally give off a really bad vibe. In which case your children should be taken from you.

there are plenty of people over 50 on the dole who are highly qualified and who cannot find work simply because they are over 50 and have more experience than some wet-behind-the-ear upstart who see them as a threat :(

Macklin says that she could live on the dole?

Right then - go for it Jenny, see how long you can do it.

Another disgrace from Labor, and there's no doubt that that is just what she said.

Labor is NEVER getting my vote again. As a swing voter, my vote is of more importance than others, and they're not getting it.

john_g wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 11:43pm:

Macklin says that she could live on the dole? Right then - go for it Jenny, see how long you can do it. Another disgrace from Labor, and there's no doubt that that is just what she said. Labor is NEVER getting my vote again. As a swing voter, my vote is of more importance than others, and they're not getting it.

There is no real choice - a vote for the Libbos might pay some debt off
but we are stuck with this debt forever.
Would we be better off with liquidators as in for a failed company?
Maybe declare bankruptcy?

There is always a choice, keep switching votes so they don't get the stability they seek to deny us and built up your archives on their victimization agenda of the poor, the pacifists and disadvantaged and pro middle class policies... :)

As a pacifist and someone on the DSP who has been severely disadvantaged, victimized and damaged by aggressive, malicious Government policy - I am keeping meticulous archives and records...records on policy statements, interviews, radio and TV appearances, articles from key politicians, business leaders and groups and media...so there is a record being kept, an account is happening, they are being scrutinized, watched and analyzed... :)

philperth2010 wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 12:56pm:

Quote: Tighter restraints on the parenting payment will see around 80,000 single parents, mainly mothers, forced off their pension and moved on to the dole once their youngest child has turned eight, leaving the families up to $223 a fortnight worse off. Why shouldn't parents go to work once the kids are all at school fulltime.....I see no valid reason why these people cannot work!!! :-? :-? :-?

The difference is:

(1) The message came from Labor therefore you support it as a good idea

(2) If the same message comes from the LIBs - you will bag it as a bad idea

Soren wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 10:57pm:

With unemployment under 6%, you are not looking hard enough - or you have too many tats and piercings and you smell and generally give off a really bad vibe. In which case your children should be taken from you.

When unemployment was at 4% under the LIBs - lefties thought things were really bad

Now it's at about 5.5% - it must be the end of the world

Seems not many remember when things were at 10% under Labor - or lefties who do remember are still on the dole queue20 years on

That is why we are keeping archives to hold you accountable for making it impossible for disadvantaged people to obtain stable secure safe employment...Your claims must be backed up with facts and reason... :) :)

You cant simply demand disadvantaged people find work, when it has been engineered such that there is no suitable, safe, secure work for them...you cant force them to work in conditions you yourself would not accept....and subject to rules designed to punish them for who they are... :) :)

Maqqa wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 1:18am:

philperth2010 wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 12:56pm: Quote: Tighter restraints on the parenting payment will see around 80,000 single parents, mainly mothers, forced off their pension and moved on to the dole once their youngest child has turned eight, leaving the families up to $223 a fortnight worse off. Why shouldn't parents go to work once the kids are all at school fulltime.....I see no valid reason why these people cannot work!!! :-? :-? :-? The difference is: (1) The message came from Labor therefore you support it as a good idea (2) If the same message comes from the LIBs - you will bag it as a bad idea

You cant talk. Wasnt I pointing this out to you in another thread? Yeah the whales . . .

SOB

So are there 80,000 jobs out there for these ppl?

SOB

john_g wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 11:43pm:

Macklin says that she could live on the dole? Right then - go for it Jenny, see how long you can do it. Another disgrace from Labor, and there's no doubt that that is just what she said. Labor is NEVER getting my vote again. As a swing voter, my vote is of more importance than others, and they're not getting it.

Good one, the useless slag.

Not six months after Rachel Siewart proved that it CAN'T be done.

This pig-ignorant place-filler deserves the sack over that STUPID and offensive comment.

She's certainly shown that she should not have THIS portfolio.

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 4:41am:

So are there 80,000 jobs out there for these ppl? SOB

No. There are NOT.

And this is NOT acknowledged or admitted, by either side.

Minister riles welfare groups

Date
    January 2, 2013


FAMILIES Minister Jenny Macklin has angered welfare groups by claiming she could live on the $35-a-day Newstart allowance.     :-?

On a day when more than 80,000 single parents were shifted from the parenting payment to the lower Newstart allowance, leaving some up to $110 a week worse off, Ms Macklin also urged single parents to return to work, saying it would be ''better for the family'', and their children would have better role models if they were employed.

Visiting a Melbourne hospital to promote the government's Dad and Partner pay scheme, which also began on Tuesday, Ms Macklin was asked whether she could survive on the $246-a-week payment. She responded ''I could'', but the question and her answer were described as ''inaudible'' in a transcript of the press conference later issued by her office.

A spokeswoman for Ms Macklin said the exchange had not been deliberately omitted, but the transcript had been produced from an iPhone recording of an outdoor press conference.


As a cabinet minister, Ms Macklin earns $6321 a week, 25 times the rate of Newstart.

The cost of renting alone in her suburb of Ivanhoe is greater than the Newstart allowance, with the median rent for a one-bedroom flat in her suburb at $270 a week.     :(

Australian Council of Social Service chief executive Cassandra Goldie said evidence to three parliamentary inquiries had shown the allowance had not increased in real terms in two decades, and as a result some recipients were forced to live in ''extreme poverty''.

''The minister should look at the evidence of people who are actually trying to do that,'' she said. ''The government talks about evidence-based policy, so we are urging her to look at the evidence.''     ;)

Kate Beaumont, the vice-president of the National Welfare Rights Network, said Ms Macklin's comments were surprising.

''As a key minister involved in securing the historic 2009 pension increase of $32 per week, she understands the needs of people doing it tough,'' she said.

Ms Beaumont said Ms Macklin's comments seemed at odds with those of Labor senators who in a committee report in November called for the allowance to be increased.

The calls by welfare groups for Newstart to be lifted have been echoed by others, including the Business Council of Australia, which has warned that the lack of an increase might be entrenching poverty.

In 2010, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said the payment was so low it might not be enough to enable a person to look for a job.     :o

The government has also faced heavy criticism for the changes that shift thousands of single parents from the parenting payment to the Newstart allowance when their youngest child turns eight.

While parents who started receiving the payment after July 2006 already face these conditions, until now those who were receiving the parenting payment before July 2006 were able to keep it until their youngest child turned 16. Ms Macklin said the changes were designed to ensure all parenting payment recipients were treated in the same way.

''What's important for people who are unemployed is that we do everything possible … to help people get into work, and that's what we'll be doing with these single parents as well,'' she said.

''The more people going back to work the better. It's better for the family, it's great to see mum and/or dad going … to work. Unfortunately we have far too many children growing up in families where nobody is working.''

But Dr Goldie said recipients of the parenting payment were already required to seek work, and about half of them were already doing some paid work.

''The only thing that's going to change for them is a significant cut in their income support, and we oppose putting any other parent on to a payment which everybody acknowledges is already far too low,'' she said.     :(

''We're talking about households with children in them. Why would we do that?''

The change will have the greatest impact on parents who work part time, because parenting payment recipients are allowed to earn more than Newstart recipients before their payments are affected.

As a result of the change, a single parent who gets no income from work will be $115 worse off a fortnight, while those who earn $400 a week from work will see their income drop by $223 a fortnight.    

In August, Employment Minister Bill Shorten said he took the adequacy of the Newstart allowance ''very, very seriously'' and said it would be ''very, very tough'' to survive on the payment, but he did not commit to raising the allowance.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/minister-riles-welfare-groups-20130101-2c4ct.html#ixzz2Gks8N5VT

Macklin, who earns $903 a day, reckons she could live on the dole. She said this after moving 84,000 single mothers from a parenting payment to the dole, who now have to survive on just $35 a day. Those 84,000 single mothers now stand to lose about $230 per week. Her office then screwed up the release of the transcript of the interview, trying to edit out her comment that she could live off the dole, saying that a car engine made that portion of the interview "inaudible". Is she serious? What a fool!!! Even her own staff don't think she could live off the dole!!!

Macklin Challenged to live on the 'dole'.

Will she accept? My guess is no, she won't.

28 years ago, Stephen Lusher famously said the same thing.

Well, he couldn't, and that led directly to the last REAL-TERMS increase in the dole.

Fast-forward to earlier this year, and Rachel Siewart AGAIN proved that it can't be done.

THAT led to the Senate Enquiry and its Lib-driven refusal to raise the dole.

Now, this ignorant bint comes out with the SAME RUBBISH CLAIM!

You can bet that, if she accepts, she'll have access to her home, car, bank a/c, credit card etc.

Makes any result skewed against the u/e, who often have none of these.

At a MINIMUM, this should cost her the Ministry. It SHOULD cost her seat!

Kat wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 5:44am:

john_g wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:43pm: Macklin says that she could live on the dole? Right then - go for it Jenny, see how long you can do it. Another disgrace from Labor, and there's no doubt that that is just what she said. Labor is NEVER getting my vote again. As a swing voter, my vote is of more importance than others, and they're not getting it. Good one, the useless slag. Not six months after Rachel Siewart proved that it CAN'T be done. This pig-ignorant place-filler deserves the sack over that STUPID and offensive comment. She's certainly shown that she should not have THIS portfolio.

She should either do it or stand down.

If it had have been in Greece, she would have caused a riot. She's just lucky that Aussies are so lay-back.

Kat wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 6:05am:

Macklin Challenged to live on the 'dole'. Will she accept? My guess is no, she won't. 28 years ago, Stephen Lusher famously said the same thing. Well, he couldn't, and that led directly to the last REAL-TERMS increase in the dole. Fast-forward to earlier this year, and Rachel Siewart AGAIN proved that it can't be done. THAT led to the Senate Enquiry and its Lib-driven refusal to raise the dole. Now, this ignorant bint comes out with the SAME RUBBISH CLAIM! You can bet that, if she accepts, she'll have access to her home, car, bank a/c, credit card etc. Makes any result skewed against the u/e, who often have none of these. At a MINIMUM, this should cost her the Ministry. It SHOULD cost her seat!

If she accepts, which as you said she wouldnt, she should be made to start once she finds accomodation that fits her budget. Once she moves in, she has access to nothing but a centrelink debit card with the amount for the fortnights she is actively participating.

The only extra she should have is a minder/body guard.

john_g wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 11:43pm:

Macklin says that she could live on the dole? Right then - go for it Jenny, see how long you can do it. Another disgrace from Labor, and there's no doubt that that is just what she said. Labor is NEVER getting my vote again. As a swing voter, my vote is of more importance than others, and they're not getting it.

I have had a few goes at trying this over the years - it is real tough to be unemployed. I would like to see her try.

She has made a goose of herself and managed to say a number of very offensive things.

I  believe these Government policies go even further and they may be deliberately trying to force the poor out of Australia by making both work and welfare unavailable to them, making this a crime against humanity according to my archives....

Kat wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 5:44am:

john_g wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:43pm: Macklin says that she could live on the dole? Right then - go for it Jenny, see how long you can do it. Another disgrace from Labor, and there's no doubt that that is just what she said. Labor is NEVER getting my vote again. As a swing voter, my vote is of more importance than others, and they're not getting it. Good one, the useless slag. Not six months after Rachel Siewart proved that it CAN'T be done. This pig-ignorant place-filler deserves the sack over that STUPID and offensive comment. She's certainly shown that she should not have THIS portfolio.

And the way that she stands up in Parliament in that awful and grating voice, pretending to stand up for families.

It's sickening and offensive in the extreme.

It's even worse than Bill Shorten saying that it was hard to live on $330,000 a year.

Labor seems full of these drones, and they can think twice about ever getting this swing voter's vote ever again.

Dnarever wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 7:42am:

john_g wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:43pm: Macklin says that she could live on the dole? Right then - go for it Jenny, see how long you can do it. Another disgrace from Labor, and there's no doubt that that is just what she said. Labor is NEVER getting my vote again. As a swing voter, my vote is of more importance than others, and they're not getting it. I have had a few goes at trying this over the years - it is real tough to be unemployed. I would like to see her try. She has made a goose of herself and managed to say a number of very offensive things.

Luckily I have never faced unemployment, and can't complain about my salary.

She has made an absolute idiot of herself, you're correct, and I am sure that all of those families that she pretends to stand up for, are rightfully offended at these insulting remarks.

I somehow doubt that Labor, or the Greens and Coalition for that matter, have any plans to cut back on the ex-pollies pension.

Bobby. wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 11:55pm:

john_g wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:43pm: Macklin says that she could live on the dole? Right then - go for it Jenny, see how long you can do it. Another disgrace from Labor, and there's no doubt that that is just what she said. Labor is NEVER getting my vote again. As a swing voter, my vote is of more importance than others, and they're not getting it. There is no real choice - a vote for the Libbos might pay some debt off but we are stuck with this debt forever. Would we be better off with liquidators as in for a failed company? Maybe declare bankruptcy?

Unfortunately we are stuck with this debt.

If I'd have known how bad Rudd would be, how even worse Gillard would be, and that Abbott would be the alternative, I'd have never for Rudd in 2007.

john_g wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 10:10am:

Dnarever wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 7:42am: john_g wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:43pm: Macklin says that she could live on the dole? Right then - go for it Jenny, see how long you can do it. Another disgrace from Labor, and there's no doubt that that is just what she said. Labor is NEVER getting my vote again. As a swing voter, my vote is of more importance than others, and they're not getting it. I have had a few goes at trying this over the years - it is real tough to be unemployed. I would like to see her try. She has made a goose of herself and managed to say a number of very offensive things. Luckily I have never faced unemployment, and can't complain about my salary. She has made an absolute idiot of herself, you're correct, and I am sure that all of those families that she pretends to stand up for, are rightfully offended at these insulting remarks. I somehow doubt that Labor, or the Greens and Coalition for that matter, have any plans to cut back on the ex-pollies pension.

Nor does the Coalition have any plan to increase the dole payments or to encourage people to live on the dole for the rest of their lives.

john_g wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 10:12am:

Bobby. wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:55pm: john_g wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:43pm: Macklin says that she could live on the dole? Right then - go for it Jenny, see how long you can do it. Another disgrace from Labor, and there's no doubt that that is just what she said. Labor is NEVER getting my vote again. As a swing voter, my vote is of more importance than others, and they're not getting it. There is no real choice - a vote for the Libbos might pay some debt off but we are stuck with this debt forever. Would we be better off with liquidators as in for a failed company? Maybe declare bankruptcy? Unfortunately we are stuck with this debt. If I'd have known how bad Rudd would be, how even worse Gillard would be, and that Abbott would be the alternative, I'd have never for Rudd in 2007.

Howards record household debt and record taxation was soooo much better for people.
Transferring govt debt to households was one of those mean and tricky things Howard was famous for but dont pretend that Australia wasnt weighed down with record levels of debt under Howard.
Record levels of personal debt, unaffordable housing, record taxation levels and record low savings was Howards legacy.

adelcrow wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 11:09am:

john_g wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 10:12am: Bobby. wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:55pm: john_g wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:43pm: Macklin says that she could live on the dole? Right then - go for it Jenny, see how long you can do it. Another disgrace from Labor, and there's no doubt that that is just what she said. Labor is NEVER getting my vote again. As a swing voter, my vote is of more importance than others, and they're not getting it. There is no real choice - a vote for the Libbos might pay some debt off but we are stuck with this debt forever. Would we be better off with liquidators as in for a failed company? Maybe declare bankruptcy? Unfortunately we are stuck with this debt. If I'd have known how bad Rudd would be, how even worse Gillard would be, and that Abbott would be the alternative, I'd have never for Rudd in 2007. Howards record household debt and record taxation was soooo much better for people. Transferring govt debt to households was one of those mean and tricky things Howard was famous for but dont pretend that Australia wasnt weighed down with record levels of debt under Howard. Record levels of personal debt, unaffordable housing, record taxation levels and record low savings was Howards legacy.

Pray tell how he transfered  GOVT DEBT HOUSEHOLDS 

;D ;D ;D ;D Did just send an invoice   ;D

FRED. wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 11:17am:

adelcrow wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 11:09am: john_g wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 10:12am: Bobby. wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:55pm: john_g wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:43pm: Macklin says that she could live on the dole? Right then - go for it Jenny, see how long you can do it. Another disgrace from Labor, and there's no doubt that that is just what she said. Labor is NEVER getting my vote again. As a swing voter, my vote is of more importance than others, and they're not getting it. There is no real choice - a vote for the Libbos might pay some debt off but we are stuck with this debt forever. Would we be better off with liquidators as in for a failed company? Maybe declare bankruptcy? Unfortunately we are stuck with this debt. If I'd have known how bad Rudd would be, how even worse Gillard would be, and that Abbott would be the alternative, I'd have never for Rudd in 2007. Howards record household debt and record taxation was soooo much better for people. Transferring govt debt to households was one of those mean and tricky things Howard was famous for but dont pretend that Australia wasnt weighed down with record levels of debt under Howard. Record levels of personal debt, unaffordable housing, record taxation levels and record low savings was Howards legacy. Pray tell how he transfered  GOVT DEBT HOUSEHOLDS  ;D ;D ;D ;D Did just send an invoice   ;D

By transferring previous govt responsibilities to households. Just look at the figures as taxes rose and the govt slashed public education and health funding and govt debt decreased household debt went up, savings went down and housing became more unaffordable to the point were during Howards reign households had to have both parents working just to keep up with debt repayments.
Since Howards demise we have become a nation of savers again and personal debt levels are rapidly falling as families are paying down their debts and putting money away for the future.
Its always a balance...economics 101 old chap

adelcrow wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 11:41am:

FRED. wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 11:17am: adelcrow wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 11:09am: john_g wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 10:12am: Bobby. wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:55pm: john_g wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:43pm: Macklin says that she could live on the dole? Right then - go for it Jenny, see how long you can do it. Another disgrace from Labor, and there's no doubt that that is just what she said. Labor is NEVER getting my vote again. As a swing voter, my vote is of more importance than others, and they're not getting it. There is no real choice - a vote for the Libbos might pay some debt off but we are stuck with this debt forever. Would we be better off with liquidators as in for a failed company? Maybe declare bankruptcy? Unfortunately we are stuck with this debt. If I'd have known how bad Rudd would be, how even worse Gillard would be, and that Abbott would be the alternative, I'd have never for Rudd in 2007. Howards record household debt and record taxation was soooo much better for people. Transferring govt debt to households was one of those mean and tricky things Howard was famous for but dont pretend that Australia wasnt weighed down with record levels of debt under Howard. Record levels of personal debt, unaffordable housing, record taxation levels and record low savings was Howards legacy. Pray tell how he transfered  GOVT DEBT HOUSEHOLDS  ;D ;D ;D ;D Did just send an invoice   ;D By transferring previous govt responsibilities to households. Just look at the figures as taxes rose and the govt slashed public education and health funding and govt debt decreased household debt went up, savings went down and housing became more unaffordable to the point were during Howards reign households had to have both parents working just to keep up with debt repayments. Since Howards demise we have become a nation of savers again and personal debt levels are rapidly falling as families are paying down their debts and putting money away for the future. Its always a balance...economics 101 old chap

Your a dreamer  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D old chap

adelcrow wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 11:41am:

FRED. wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 11:17am: adelcrow wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 11:09am: john_g wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 10:12am: Bobby. wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:55pm: john_g wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:43pm: Macklin says that she could live on the dole? Right then - go for it Jenny, see how long you can do it. Another disgrace from Labor, and there's no doubt that that is just what she said. Labor is NEVER getting my vote again. As a swing voter, my vote is of more importance than others, and they're not getting it. There is no real choice - a vote for the Libbos might pay some debt off but we are stuck with this debt forever. Would we be better off with liquidators as in for a failed company? Maybe declare bankruptcy? Unfortunately we are stuck with this debt. If I'd have known how bad Rudd would be, how even worse Gillard would be, and that Abbott would be the alternative, I'd have never for Rudd in 2007. Howards record household debt and record taxation was soooo much better for people. Transferring govt debt to households was one of those mean and tricky things Howard was famous for but dont pretend that Australia wasnt weighed down with record levels of debt under Howard. Record levels of personal debt, unaffordable housing, record taxation levels and record low savings was Howards legacy. Pray tell how he transfered  GOVT DEBT HOUSEHOLDS  ;D ;D ;D ;D Did just send an invoice   ;D By transferring previous govt responsibilities to households. Just look at the figures as taxes rose and the govt slashed public education and health funding and govt debt decreased household debt went up, savings went down and housing became more unaffordable to the point were during Howards reign households had to have both parents working just to keep up with debt repayments. Since Howards demise we have become a nation of savers again and personal debt levels are rapidly falling as families are paying down their debts and putting money away for the future. Its always a balance...economics 101 old chap

It was more like Howard and liberals made people and business so confident, that people over spent confidently. The worst thing Howard did was not to reign in the housing market.

wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 5:57am:

Minister riles welfare groups Date     January 2, 2013 FAMILIES Minister Jenny Macklin has angered welfare groups by claiming she could live on the $35-a-day Newstart allowance.     :-? On a day when more than 80,000 single parents were shifted from the parenting payment to the lower Newstart allowance, leaving some up to $110 a week worse off, Ms Macklin also urged single parents to return to work, saying it would be ''better for the family'', and their children would have better role models if they were employed.

f.cken macklin is an idiot living in an ivory tower :(

The dole wouldn't even pay the rent these days thanks to labor inflating a property bubble and someone who has been out of work for years is not going to get a job in an instant :(

labor made their rents at least $100 a week more expensive with their stimulus property ponzi scam, triple first home buyers scam, land banking scams, negative gearing scams, changes in foreign investment which allowed wealthy chinese to come in and outbid locals at auctions :( All strategies designed to pump up the price of property and increase rents as property hoarders and tenants offloaded the increasing risk onto the unsuspecting tenant !!

Well done labor :(

Sometimes I don't know which is worse. Labor or Liberal ?

Sir lastnail wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 12:12pm:

wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 5:57am: Minister riles welfare groups Date     January 2, 2013 FAMILIES Minister Jenny Macklin has angered welfare groups by claiming she could live on the $35-a-day Newstart allowance.     :-? On a day when more than 80,000 single parents were shifted from the parenting payment to the lower Newstart allowance, leaving some up to $110 a week worse off, Ms Macklin also urged single parents to return to work, saying it would be ''better for the family'', and their children would have better role models if they were employed. f.cken macklin is an idiot living in an ivory tower :( The dole wouldn't even pay the rent these days thanks to labor inflating a property bubble and someone who has been out of work for years is not going to get a job in an instant :( labor made their rents at least $100 a week more expensive with their stimulus property ponzi scam, triple first home buyers scam, land banking scams, negative gearing scams, changes in foreign investment which allowed wealthy chinese to come in and outbid locals at auctions :( All strategies designed to pump up the price of property and increase rents as property hoarders and tenants offloaded the increasing risk onto the unsuspecting tenant !! Well done labor :( Sometimes I don't know which is worse. Labor or Liberal ?

Policy and big picture wise they are both exactly the same.

SOB

progressiveslol wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 12:07pm:

adelcrow wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 11:41am: FRED. wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 11:17am: adelcrow wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 11:09am: john_g wrote on Jan 2nd, 2013 at 10:12am: Bobby. wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:55pm: john_g wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:43pm: Macklin says that she could live on the dole? Right then - go for it Jenny, see how long you can do it. Another disgrace from Labor, and there's no doubt that that is just what she said. Labor is NEVER getting my vote again. As a swing voter, my vote is of more importance than others, and they're not getting it. There is no real choice - a vote for the Libbos might pay some debt off but we are stuck with this debt forever. Would we be better off with liquidators as in for a failed company? Maybe declare bankruptcy? Unfortunately we are stuck with this debt. If I'd have known how bad Rudd would be, how even worse Gillard would be, and that Abbott would be the alternative, I'd have never for Rudd in 2007. Howards record household debt and record taxation was soooo much better for people. Transferring govt debt to households was one of those mean and tricky things Howard was famous for but dont pretend that Australia wasnt weighed down with record levels of debt under Howard. Record levels of personal debt, unaffordable housing, record taxation levels and record low savings was Howards legacy. Pray tell how he transfered  GOVT DEBT HOUSEHOLDS  ;D ;D ;D ;D Did just send an invoice   ;D By transferring previous govt responsibilities to households. Just look at the figures as taxes rose and the govt slashed public education and health funding and govt debt decreased household debt went up, savings went down and housing became more unaffordable to the point were during Howards reign households had to have both parents working just to keep up with debt repayments. Since Howards demise we have become a nation of savers again and personal debt levels are rapidly falling as families are paying down their debts and putting money away for the future. Its always a balance...economics 101 old chap It was more like Howard and liberals made people and business so confident, that people over spent confidently. The worst thing Howard did was not to reign in the housing market.

Agreed.

I love how some people want to rewrite history and skew facts to make Howard look bad.

Truth is that he is 100 times the PM than Rudd and Gillard combined, and dare I say that Abbott will be too.

I will reserve judgment on Abbott until when he is PM, but I doubt that he will be much better than the other two.

Hope he proves me wrong. Getting rid of Gillard will be an achievement in itself.

john_g wrote on Jan 1^st, 2013 at 11:43pm:

Macklin says that she could live on the dole? Right then - go for it Jenny, see how long you can do it. Another disgrace from Labor, and there's no doubt that that is just what she said. Labor is NEVER getting my vote again. As a swing voter, my vote is of more importance than others, and they're not getting it.

so who will you vote for? It seems some libs agree with her

http://au.news.yahoo.com/latest/a/-/latest/15755964/treasurer-joins-dole-debate-with-frugal-claims/

john_g wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2013 at 10:12am:

Bobby. wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:55pm: john_g wrote on Jan 1st, 2013 at 11:43pm: Macklin says that she could live on the dole? Right then - go for it Jenny, see how long you can do it. Another disgrace from Labor, and there's no doubt that that is just what she said. Labor is NEVER getting my vote again. As a swing voter, my vote is of more importance than others, and they're not getting it. There is no real choice - a vote for the Libbos might pay some debt off but we are stuck with this debt forever. Would we be better off with liquidators as in for a failed company? Maybe declare bankruptcy? Unfortunately we are stuck with this debt. If I'd have known how bad Rudd would be, how even worse Gillard would be, and that Abbott would be the alternative, I'd have never voted for Rudd in 2007.

Me also - I was conned by Rudd.
He never said he was going to hire over 100,000 public servants & borrow money to pay for them.
He never said that our debt would now be $4.7 trillion.

see my thread on that:

http://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1357046552/73#73

They think they can play us off one party to the other...but I do not give a stuff about political parties...if you are a member of parliament, a media broadcaster, a business leader or group or a public official and you are saying and doing things that amount to crimes against decency, crimes against the poor, crimes against peace and crimes against humanity, then you can presume that there is a file with your name on it and to the extent you have come under notice, everything you do and say is being documented... :)

Terrastations and servers even now are being set up to watch for corruption & crimes against humanity, to store and scrutinize information... 8-)