How many times has "the left" blocked legislation? If you mean the "unrepresentative swill" as Paul Keating memorably called the Senate (I wonder what Labor Senators thought of this), very rarely. Most legislation coming from the House gets passed by the Senate. I believe over 90 per cent of it.

It's amazing how Howard and his supporters want to blame everyone else but themselves for bad policy - including Whitlam who was Prime Minister for only 3 years 30 years ago!!!

Who are you going to blame after July when Howard controls the Senate? "The Left"? This Left must be bloody powerful.

As for insults about "bludgers" I'd love to see you refer to unemployed people using that term to their faces. You wouldn't have a face for very long.

To Arjay et al re Social Service Blowout: Their admin costs are frightening. My last employment was at Centrelink so I know of which I speak. The blowout includes the cost of every regional manager flying to Canberra monthly, the cost of heating (the Ballarat Call Centre) to tropical level so that employees wear summer clothing right through winter, the huge cost of engaging bigtime city agencies to handle employments, and I could go on and on and bore you. My point is that when you read social services cost 80 billion, in actual fact the recipients cost half that.

The DSP is more than just a payment that I just survive on, the DSP allows me to avoid the sick culture that made me sick in the first place. It seems the Howard government has no concept of how some of us view Australian cultural norms. For example, I could in no way spend anytime next to a person with the views of Arjay. I would become very distressed very quickly (and so would you by the way Arjay). I maintain my equanimity through insularity. I do not fear work, I fear forced participation/contact/dialogue with middle moronic true blue aussies.

My point is, who will be accountable for people that suffer relapse because of this forced "mutual obligation" participation? Will I be able to litigate against Centrelink staff that wrongfully assessed my working capacity and ignored my (episodal) level of disability?

I see myself back in hospital within the first month of this proposed mutual obligation policy for people with servere psych disabilities.

Pill, you will only get better if you are determined to overcome your fears.It will be a long hard road, but you can be free.The effort will be well worth the risk.Speak to positive people and ignore your detractors..

Arjay, you have no idea. Bring your bullshit scheme on, I will have a relapse and I will litigate against whoever is responsible.

Pill,I suggest you move away from our "sick culture" as you seem to be delusional.Bali is a great place.Food , accommodation and drugs are cheaper than chips.You need to get away.