It would be easy to jump in to the water with you Banjo, and hasbeen too.
No way it is allowed to say what is on my mind on this matter PC is watching.
But I will say this, I commend the government for both yesterdays bring back todays, and the many more times they will do it,any government.
I have views strong ones, about any waste in our social security system.
We desperately need a review of it all, not axing, not unfairness just tightening up.
Lebanon was no different than Egypt.
Remember any government rules in all our names every choice they make will upset some.
But far more would be upset if we said get your self out,as race seems are a reason some are unhappy with these flights consider this.
If we follow the wrong path here we are on display to the world, bet other country's did the same.

Belly,
Don't try and make this a debate along political party lines, as it is not. Downer was the Foreign Minister when the evacuation of the Lebanon 'Aussie citizens' took place. Now the current gov has evacuated 'Aussies' from Egypt. Hey, I think there is far more likelyhood of Aussie tourists in Egypt than Lebanon.

Lexi,
It matters nought to Centrelink as to where a pensioners assetts and income come from, when details are given and pensions adjusted.

I will say however that pension applicants are asked if they are entitled to pension from an overseas country. They apparently then see if some of that can be recouped. This has nothing to do with dual citizenship. A permanent resident is entitled to Centrelink payments.

Banjo and Hasbeen:

I'm not sure that you can make statements like - all permanent residents are eligibile for Centrelink payments - I believe that it depends on the circumstances. For some payments there is a 2 year qualifying period. Also - Australian pensions are usually paid at a proportional rate outside Australia and as top-up pension in Australia. That is any pension you receive from another country will generally reduce your Australian pension dollar for dollar. In any case as I've stated previously - google Centrelink - it's all there on their various websites.

If a dual-citizen on an evacuation plane just hears that word "Centrelink", and that they would have to deal with it once on Australian shores, s/he would rather jump out into the ocean.

Just my 2c...

Banjo, I invite you, and three others, to review that statement.
Can you possible think I bought politics in to this subject?
It is and always will be a political statement.
I did not wrap my arm around Gillard, knew it was your team in Lebanon.
Confront this, life is politics.
A statement about ANYTHING a government does in our name is politics.
Be self assured, have your say, disagree with me,any one, but respect your own words enough not to use them to rebut others right to,,do just as you are doing.
my opinions are my views, nothing else so surely are yours.
Within the last 40 posts I have said Gillard is a flop, NSW is going to rightly, throw its government on the trash heap.
But at least ten times in that time my balance,understanding of politics , ability to think, and education has being questioned, by folk who NEVER once questioned their side.

Belly,
Have a look at the last sentence of your first post on this thread.