I am disappointed at the stereotyping of dole recipients several writers hereabouts have displayed.

I can assure you all that jaded 55 year old info tech jacks of all trades are not in demand. Especially not those who insist on using, say, Dragon dictate, to type, having burnt out wrists, and a back certificate that says no to managers wanting boxes restacked in the store room.

These past three years I have not even had one proper job interview. The employers go for the bright young things, not the jaded old workhorses they want to send to the knackery.

I believe my experience is quite typical of the older unemployed, those who don't have a marketable skill in demand.

There might be, perhaps, one per cent of unemployed who rort the system somewhat, but the authorities do extensive data matching between the Social Services and other government computers including the tax office looking for benefits fraudsters ...

I feel vaguely insulted by this dole bludging stereotype. I do wish the young Libs who perpetrate such stereotypes would get real and not engage in such counterproductive bulldust but discuss public policy in relation to the vast majority of the unemployed.

Rehctub

You say - "The truth is governments know whats going on but they are too gutless to do much about it and if they try our ridiculous senate blocks their move, that's provided it gets past the labor/green alliance.

There is no end of frustration creeping in and it appears we the tax payer are powerless to do anything about it because even if you do vote for those who you think will fight for your values, the other side blocks it."

How true - via both parties and for years. Don't want to address the "tuff issues" - might lose a few seats come election time.

Tristan

You say “"So far there’s not much evidence welfare fraud is out of control. Between 2006 and 2010, Centrelink conducted an average of 4 million compliance reviews each year, which covered 60% of its “customers”. The yield of cases referred for prosecution was on average 0.04%, or 3192 people. In 2012, fewer than 1500 people were referred for welfare fraud.

No figures quoted for 2013, 2014, 2015. I await next Senate Estimates Committee meeting.

“In 2012 fewer than 1,500 people referred for welfare fraud”. Is that all they found?

Change of government 2013. Welfare bill - $150 billion.

270,000 cases of welfare cheaters and fraudsters refusing to repay $870 million – 2016.

Article – “The overall welfare overpayment debt, which also includes people who are on payment plans and are attempting to pay it back, has blown out by 10 per cent in just the past year to total $3 billion!

“Social Services Minister Christian Porter said the debt had been allowed to accumulate under previous governments with little effort taken to recover it.” (End quote)

I ask why are Centrelink’s reported figures so low up to 2012. The blow out in welfare cheaters to 270,000 didn’t occur overnight and hasn’t just occurred since new government 2013 to 2016.

You also refer to a Tax Justice Network report – we know, we know, so when will ANY government address companies from the “big end of town”? Governments they talk, they talk, and more talk – both sides, when in and/or out of Government – yet, still do nothing, then have a further talk fest – might lose a few votes. Votes = seats. On this point I agree 100% with you.

You state – If you want more pensioners to work etc. I don’t include any pensioners amongst those rorters. I address the 17 to 35 year olds within our society who give taxpayers the “proverbial finger” and won’t work - more than happy to rort the welfare system.

Andrew

You are among the 50 plus group.

I have been discussing the 17 to 35 year olds who won’t work and are more than happy to continue to rort the welfare system for all it’s worth.

They form the “greedy” as opposed to the “needy” which is what the Welfare system safety net is for.

I agree with you – it’s not easy to work after 50’s, don’t give up – you’ll find work, keep at it.

Those that are genuinely trying to find work who are on the welfare system - are certainly not classified as "dole bludgers" by most in society, so I respectfully ask you to ignore their "ignorant remarks".