The Howard Government told us how low this country's unemployment figures were.

Then, why are there so many young people receiving the dole?

Should young people get the dole at all? And for how long?

If there are jobs out there - why are there still so many on the dole?

Your thoughts please?

Truth is Howard did not tell us anything the figures got twisted.
Some who only worked 15 hours had been said to be in full time work.
The thread however asks a question that needs an answer.
Those who want to work but can not find it should get the dole.
No one else, some do work those 15 hours cash in hand then get the dole.
Some are never going to take a job, some find ways to thieve from the public cash box, if we stop this those in true need may get a living wage.
Hope your health gets better every day foxy you are a good poster thoughtful issues
regards

Work one hour a week and you are employed (ie. not on the unemployment statistics).

You still get the dole unless you earn mega-bucks for that one hour.

Some jobs out there but we have a skills shortage, hence Howard's push for overseas workers. Rudd's policies sound good - hope he can deliver.

In the mean time, competition for cost of goods/services (eg labour) will drive up prices, adding to inflationary pressure/interest rates.

We needed a plan for the future, Howard gave us a plan for the past.

Simple as.

Dear Belly,

Thanks for your kind words. My health isn't good - but I'm not going to give up.

I agree with you - those who want to work should get help. What worries me though is - young kids who seem happy to never work. What kind of a life is that? Where will their self-esteem come from? How will they learn to achieve and appreciate what they have? What kind of a future is that for them?

My hope lies in the current government's education plans and training provisos for the young. Just get them off the dole.

Hi Foxy, I understand you're having a tete'a'tete with Belly and I will butt out if you like, but you raise some questions that others might have something to say about (btw, congrats on your tenacity).

Anyway,

Self-esteem comes from confidence in who they are as individuals. I think they get this primarily from their parents, school teachers and peers (up to age 7 is critical).

Youth/adolescents are under far more pressure than you or I ever dreamed of - think about it, where is it coming from and, why?

A federal election was held a few years ago and our ex-PM stressed "family values" as their mantra. You can see the results of these policies.

The struggle for the almighty dollar, buy, buy, buy - more stuff. I want it and I want it now - a consumerism driven society! Greed is good?

What are we teaching our kids when we have fallen for this?

I think you know the answer, is it too late?

Rudd's plan will help, but please don't put it all on the government, parents must take some responsibility, don't you think?

Nobody should get the dole.
You should get monetary support in the job you want to do.
If you do not want to work you get nothing.
Simple to most (excluding the bleeding heart ignorant) people that want a fair pay for a fair day.
If the input from you is nothing you will get nothing.
Let the parents pay their so-called dole if they want to or maybe actually be a parent.
Pay the wages (call it the dole )for the learners in the job's they want
and if they want a change let them do it (not do this lob and that's it)so we get people in job's they like doing.
Money for nothing is theft is it not ?
Give all a fair go but (bleeding heart rich can f&%$ off)nobody can demand a free ride while bleating about how bad they get it.
One can only command respect not demand it so earn it or get none.
More could be added but maybe i have added enough?