Newstart recipient Ricci Bartels calls Scott Morrison's 'have a go' slogan divisive on Q&A

August 6 2019
ABC News

A Newstart recipient has invoked Coalition slogans as she sought to grill a Liberal MP over the Federal Government's refusal to lift the job-seeker allowance.
Key points:   :(

    Ricci Bartels uses her experience to question Liberal MP Jason Falinski about Newstart
    She's struggled to find a job after being retrenched at 62 after 46 years of work
    She said it's been the "worst time of my life" having lost dignity and friendships

Ricci Bartels told Q&A she went onto Newstart when she was 62 after being retrenched after 46 years in the workforce.

She dubbed her three-year hunt to find work while on Newstart the "worst time of my life", and adopted Prime Minister Scott Morrison's often used phrase "if you have a go, you get a go" to question Liberal MP Jason Falinski.

"I'm a very skilled person. I've been a manager for settlement services for quite a long time," Ms Bartels said.

"So for me it was the worst time of my life.

    "What do you suggest people like me, at my age or at a [younger] age for that matter, how do they have a go to get a go?

"This is so important. 'Have a go, get a go', it is so divisive."

Mr Falinski said he did not know enough about Ms Bartels's experiences to comment on her case.

But he said the Government was doing its best to get people "from welfare to work".

"It has been very successful in ensuring poverty levels and inequality are kept low," Mr Falinski told Ms Bartels.

"If the system has failed you personally in your particular circumstances, I can only apologise for that.

"I'd love to know more and we'd love to create a system that makes sure that what has happened to you doesn't happen to others."

The Newstart Allowance is worth about $278 a week — or less than $40 a day — for singles and has not risen, in real terms, in a quarter of a century.

About one in four recipients is older than 55.

Welfare groups are pushing hard for an increase to Newstart, while those living off the payments say they are forced to survive by dumpster diving and eating soup.

There is broad support for an increase from economists, business, industry and welfare groups, who argue the payment is so low it is preventing people from getting a job.

Though some Coalition MPs and senators have backed calls for an increase, Mr Morrison has repeatedly ruled it out, insisting "the best form of welfare is a job".

Ms Bartles said the Federal Government needed greater awareness about the impact of its policies and rhetoric.   :(

"The mental strength, I was a frontline worker, I did conferences, I spoke at conferences, I wrote papers," she said.

"As you can see I've lost my nerves."

Ms Bartles said she had "loved and cherished" her work.

"I wanted to work till I was 70," she said. "I loved the work I did. And I took jobs, still in the sector but not managerial.

    "I was quite prepared that I may have to make adjustments. In other words, I believed not only have I had a go for 46 years, I believe I had a go on Newstart.

"I do not like hearing things like 'have a go to get a go'. I do not like hearing things like this government 'will only hand up, not hand out', [which was] only recently said by our PM.

"What is that supposed to mean? Am I a handout now?"

MP dubs Newstart an 'embarrassment' for Australia

Newly elected independent MP Zali Steggall told Q&A she wanted Newstart changed.

"It's embarrassing for us as a nation that we haven't addressed it and raise it," Ms Steggall said.

"We have an economy that's flat-lining and it needs a boost.

"We have addressed it with tax cuts and things that are coming into play but the RBA has come out and said the boost of raising Newstart would actually kickstart as well the economy in putting more funds into the system.

"I think it has a multi-purpose and it should be, I think, bipartisan."

Labor senator Katy Gallagher said the responsibility was on the Federal Government to address Newstart.

"This is one of the sort of benefits of winning an election — get on with it," she said.

ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie, one of the most vocal supporters of lifting Newstart, said there was support — from former prime minister John Howard to the Country Women's Association — to increase the payment.

The Australian's economics editor Adam Creighton, also on the panel, offered his support for increasing Newstart payments.

"I think there's definitely a case," he said.

"It was last raised in 1994. A backbench MP's salary has gone up in real terms just under 100 per cent.   :(

"The Newstart payment has not increased at all. That's extraordinary.

Quote:

Mr Falinski said he did not know enough about Ms Bartels's experiences to comment on her case. But he said the Government was doing its best to get people "from welfare to work". "It has been very successful in ensuring poverty levels and inequality are kept low," Mr Falinski told Ms Bartels.

What an astonishing lie. Millions of Australians are living in poverty. Homelessness is at record high levels. Wages have flatlined. The current government is handing out massive unfunded tax cuts to the rich. How can this possibly be keeping low poverty and inequality levels?

Actually Mrs Bartels is a Greeny Climate Warrior. She was exposed on the Lefties' favorite station 2GB.

juliar wrote on Aug 7^th, 2019 at 10:34am:

Actually Mrs Bartels is a Greeny Climate Warrior. She was exposed on the Lefties' favorite station 2GB.

and you're a stuck turd they pulled out from a blocked pipe :D LOL

Scunge, the loony Greeny, continues her HATE session with me, her HERO, and begs me to pay her some attention.

It's a real problem.  I've taken on 2 temps both over 60 who are great workers, but I don't have full time roles for them.  There are also incentives for me to employ younger people in these roles on internship rates that would be much better for my bottom line, but these women were very proactive and so far I have no regrets.

But it's still only temp work...

We were talking about the question on Qanda yesterday and it was obvious that it hit too close to home for them.

I don't know how the pollies simply don't care...

I get why the standard subhuman filth on here have no issues ignoring the problem and will use it as just another way of pushing their agenda or attacking other posters on here, but surely with an aging population, something needs to change.

Good on this unemployed lady that was on Q and A the other night, for telling it like it is.  The newstart allowance is far too low, and should have been increased ages ago.   :( 

whiteknight wrote on Aug 7^th, 2019 at 12:06pm:

Good on this unemployed lady that was on Q and A the other night, for telling it like it is.  The newstart allowance is far too low, and should have been increased ages ago.   :(

Yeah, and that's not to say turn a blind eye to those who might be rorting the system, but don't punish those trying to do the right thing but have needed to fall back into the safety net while doing so.

whiteknight wrote on Aug 7^th, 2019 at 12:06pm:

Good on this unemployed lady that was on Q and A the other night, for telling it like it is.  The newstart allowance is far too low, and should have been increased ages ago.   :(

You're right, of course.


As WA jobless rate hits historic high, peak business group warns worse is to come

+

We won’t increase Newstart, says Scott Morrison

=

Retailers say shoplifting ‘out of hand’ in Perth as rates skyrocket 30 per cent

?

Gweggy are you on NewStart ?

juliar wrote on Aug 7^th, 2019 at 1:12pm:

Gweggy are you on NewStart ?

Yeah cause he can buy a $12k guitar on newstart

Spot

Sir S would you believe ANYTHING that a LEFTY said ?


Actually Mrs Bartels is a Greeny Climate Warrior. She was exposed on the Lefties' favorite station 2GB.

juliar wrote on Aug 7^th, 2019 at 1:15pm:

Sir S would you believe ANYTHING that a LEFTY said ? Actually Mrs Bartels is a Greeny Climate Warrior. She was exposed on the Lefties' favorite station 2GB.

And?

How does that have anything to do with the topic she's asked about?

It sounds like you're trying to dismiss her legitimate question and concerns by using another topic entirely to attack her, HATE her if you will?

Why is that?

I respectfully await your answer, thanks.

Wow! My prediction is correct. The Sadly Kangyroo is following around like a lost puppy begging for attention from her HERO she admires so much.

And of course trying to continue her HATE session with me. After all she IS a Greeny.

I was posting about a topic I cared about.  I was ignoring you until you started your usual whinge fest.

You're the one seeking all this attention and I'll try harder to starve you of it and ignore your toxic posts that inevitably end up ruining threads.

Oh Gosh! The Sadly Kangyroo is after me and carrying on her HATE session with me. Typical Greeny, they keep a HATE session going for years if you humiliate them.

Probably supporting her fellow Greeny Climate Warrior Mrs Bartels who is just pushing Greeny propaganda.

Actually Mrs Bartels is a Greeny Climate Warrior. She was exposed on the Lefties' favorite station 2GB.

There was no hate, I simply asked you what difference does it make if she is a Greeny Climate Warrior if that is even true?

The points she raised are related to a very real issue and it's as if you're trying to avoid said topic by attacking her.

If there is anyone posting hate messages, it's you mate.  You're hating on her because you think she's a "Greeny Climate Warrior" and without a drop of compassion ignored the issue she and many others are facing.

But again, you're ruining a thread.

While I care about this issue, it's impossible to discuss when you're doing your usual shtick...  See ya.

Once you humiliate a Greeny they NEVER forgive you and relentlessly pursue their HATE session with you for years.

Here a Greeny is trying to protect another Greeny, Mrs Bartels who is a Greeny Climate Warrior.

A Greeny is ALWAYS RIGHT and you are ALWAYS WRONG.

Should just report abusive poster behaviour.  Apparently you are allowed to keep abusing people as long as you don't get reported to moderators, according to the rules. 

Poor Stunned enjoys his sarcasm.

But back to relevance and exposing Mrs Bartels as nothing but a Greeny Climate Warrior.


https://i.postimg.cc/sxNvR4XC/barteliswi.jpg

Ms Bartels is not a "Newstart recipient".

She's not been a Newstart recipient for almost two years.

But their ABC is still promoting the false news prominently on its News website.

Here's a link to bring this to Media Watch's attention as I've been doing today.

https://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/tipoffs/

You may also wish to lodge a complaint with their ABC.

https://www.michaelsmithnews.com/2019/08/their-abc-still-reporting-former-acoss-director-ricci-bartels-is-on-newstart.html?fbclid=IwAR3WREGEoPPRukykEkUC8X6oNrxAox7CnoA39y9cW3i1MtVpTgVU3QGst8I



Now what does the man in the street reckon ?

Seeker of truth said...Wednesday, 07 August 2019 at 01:04 AM
Here is Ricci Bartels making comment in Sept 2018 when Scott Morrison did a backflip on increasing the pension age to 70. She said she got the age pension in early 2018. This is what Bartels had to say

"Age Pension recipient Ricci Bartels says it’s a good move.

“After being on Newstart for 5-6 years, I was put on the age pension earlier this year,” Bartels said.

“The extra money and not having to face Centrelink and apply for millions of jobs has made an enormous difference to my life.

“The increase in money provides you with an opportunity to rent a house or share rent whereas before I couldn’t do that.

“This reversal will be good for the many many mature age unemployed people who, no matter how much they try, are unable to get jobs they apply for.”"

https://cockburnexpress.online/pension-backflip-acoss-welcomes-move-to-scrap-final-zombie-measure/

Therefore in that Q&A program, Bartels was at least 66 or maybe older if we are to believe what she says. But can we.

She has lied about when she was forced onto Newstart. In Q&A she said that she was forced onto Newstart when she was 62 and she has been on it for three years yet in that 2018 linked above she stated that she has been on Newstart for 5-6 years then she got the pension.

Why all this bullshit from her?



GJohns said in reply to seeker of truth... Wednesday, 07 August 2019 at 10:19 AM
Ricci Bartels has all the qualifications to land a job with the Greens/Watermelon Party.

SadKangaroo wrote on Aug 7^th, 2019 at 12:05pm:

It's a real problem.  I've taken on 2 temps both over 60 who are great workers, but I don't have full time roles for them.  There are also incentives for me to employ younger people in these roles on internship rates that would be much better for my bottom line, but these women were very proactive and so far I have no regrets. But it's still only temp work... We were talking about the question on Qanda yesterday and it was obvious that it hit too close to home for them. I don't know how the pollies simply don't care... I get why the standard subhuman filth on here have no issues ignoring the problem and will use it as just another way of pushing their agenda or attacking other posters on here, but surely with an aging population, something needs to change.

About 250,000 people over the age of 50 are stuck on Newstart. Most of them have good work experience. Some of them have health issues that prevent them from working, that in a more enlightened time would have seen them placed on the DSP. It's not a problem with them. It's a problem with everyone else - employers, JSPs, Centrelink, the broader community and the profoundly dysfunctional system that they all must work with.

SadKangaroo wrote on Aug 7^th, 2019 at 12:05pm:

It's a real problem.  I've taken on 2 temps both over 60 who are great workers, but I don't have full time roles for them.  There are also incentives for me to employ younger people in these roles on internship rates that would be much better for my bottom line, but these women were very proactive and so far I have no regrets. But it's still only temp work... We were talking about the question on Qanda yesterday and it was obvious that it hit too close to home for them. I don't know how the pollies simply don't care... I get why the standard subhuman filth on here have no issues ignoring the problem and will use it as just another way of pushing their agenda or attacking other posters on here, but surely with an aging population, something needs to change.

Our Government of Two Parties ....... both so hopelessly locked into their own ideology that they have lost sight of reality and have lapsed into elitist hubris... and which fundamentally operate as a Tag Team - one gives us hell, then hand slaps the other to keep the hell already handed out, and then add to it....

SadKangaroo wrote on Aug 7^th, 2019 at 12:13pm:

whiteknight wrote on Aug 7th, 2019 at 12:06pm: Good on this unemployed lady that was on Q and A the other night, for telling it like it is.  The newstart allowance is far too low, and should have been increased ages ago.   :(  Yeah, and that's not to say turn a blind eye to those who might be rorting the system, but don't punish those trying to do the right thing but have needed to fall back into the safety net while doing so.

Let's not forget the insane demand that a recipient wind down all cash and assets as listed before being 'eligible' for Newstart... meaning they will have little to no 'seed' money to restart a life and will thus end up reliant on Old Age Pension more in retirement...

How does someone who has been forced to wind down cash reserves, and is then handed subsistence money, get to dress well and eat well and present well, and upgrade skills well - for a job interview?  How do young people from poor backgrounds and on their own and couch surfing from an early age (etc), get the wherewithal to buy a suit to go to an interview for a sweet job in a bank etc, and compete with Miss Sally from Richacres whose parents funded her a company Range Rover for school and then had  the company pay her uni fees outright off the taxpayer's dime?

Stoopid is as stoopid does...

I've SEEN the 'company' Range Rover in the hands of the schoolgirl..... I paid for it by working ....

Exactly.  It just seems like one side cares about these sorts of issues, but are too scared to institute real change because of how it will be painted by the other side, and the other side doesn't care about the problem because it doesn't benefit their donors.  Those in between (well, there aren't many in between Labor and Liberal, there isn't much room there these days, let's say the Minors and Independents) have no real power and every time they side with the Liberals, which in this case they'd have to because they're in power, they get betrayed anyway.

Good luck to them.  The plan used to be to generate a passive income from real estate so even if the day job was lost at that age, you're ok.

But now it's so expensive to get in that many have to help their children just to buy their first home, forget investments, and the bubble burst is on the way, very uncertain times ahead.

And what is the Government doing about it?

Crappy mining deals that won't even deliver the watered-down plans they're meant to and anything they can possibly do to avoid transition the workforce for the green jobs of the future until it will be too late, we'll be behind, and lose the market opportunities.

It's bad on the Gold Coast already.  If it wasn't for the foreign investment in construction we'd be in the crapper because we can't even rely on tourism anymore, and further north, I went to the Great Barrier reef earlier in the year, it was amazing when I was a kid, so colourful and such a wide variety of fish, now it's all bleached, or at least the "good spots" the day trips took us to were...  I'd hate to imagine what the rest of it is if that was the good areas...

Our leadership is asleep at the wheel and this and so many other issues, but what can we do..?

The people voted, now we all have to suffer their choice.