David, they are a pimple on a camel's bum compared to the billions wasted in social security.We are looking down the barrel of real poverty in the next 10 -15 yrs if we don't get more people in work.Just start taxing people like the present Carr Govt and people will move overseas with their wealth as in the pre-Thatcher days in England.

The left seem to have this fixation on taxing the incentive to work out of our economy.Do you get it?Everyone lives in poverty then!The left only exits because of the strength of the right.I'm beginning to think the left are a few neural connectors short of a brain cell.
The capitalist/free market system is far from perfect but the alternative of a "centralist nanny state" is too awful to contemplate.The USSR have been there and rejected it.The US is not the "Evil Empire".There is never a black or white solution,just the grey areas of evolution that must change with environment.

But Arjay, the Howard Government has been in power since 1996 and responsibility for the social security "blow-out" must rest with them. "The left" (whoever they might be) are not in a position to determine social security policy or legislation. It is the rules as implemented by Kay Patterson's Department of Family and Community Services that stipulate who'll get Newstart, who'll get DSP etc. And unemployment is at a record low point.

Why the hysteria over the social security bill? I'll tell you why. The aim is to blame DSP recipients by calling them "bludgers" (yeah, that really helps) and conveniently ignoring the attitude of employers. Many people on benefits do want to work but employers won't take them on because they are not young or don't make the workplace look good or any other superficial reason. And employment agencies don't like to take on people with disabilities because it's hard to get them into work for those very reasons.

And while were discussing the social security budget you might like to know that the Howard Government is about to make it more expensive. They are introducing concession allowances of $200 per annum for singles or $400 for couples for holders of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. That is, retirees on up to $80,000 a year.

David,yes the appeal of the socialist goliath has a lot a momentum and attracts many votes.The Howard govt. was able to spend more because the got the economy functioning again.How many times have the left blocked their legislation in the senate?Politicians to a large extent react to our expectations.When so many are dependant upon social security dummy,it will take almost the same amount of time to change,some 33yrs since Gough in 1972 instigated our demise.
You can't just pull people of social security in a few years.They don't have the motivation or the job skills.
I think it will take an economic disaster before real change happens.
Jeff Kennett fixed Victoria,but they are now going the way of NSW.

There's more than the national party & private health insurance industry. What about our military's unnecessary expeditions to Iraq & Afghanistan?? What about the 8~9 figure blow-out in the collins-class-submarine construction debacle? Last time I checked, handouts to middle & upper class property investors through negative gearing deductions and concessions on capital gains tax cost us over a billion dollars.

It seems that its alright to get money from the govvie if you're one of their big mates, or a member of a noisy, well-resourced and organized group. No-one says that those are bludgers. Yet, somehow, aid for our poorest rates the opposite?

What is our society coming to?

The Collins Class Subs were the the brainchild of one Kim Beasley. He decided to re-invent the wheel.It cost us 5 Billion dollars.

I would love to hear you say what you wrote here in the workplace.

"I'm beginning to think the left are a few neural connectors short of a brain cell."

I have chronic schizophrenia, a comment like this in the workplace would land you in court on a discrimination charge you right wing troll.

Bring it on!