Actually, I think we should be aiming for about 50% unemployment.
Back in the Menzies era, 4% to 5% unemployment was considered to be fairly ideal; small enough to be affordable, large enough to keep the employed from getting too cocky.
But remember this was almost entirely MALE employment.
The one bread winner economy meant families had a safety net; if the main breadwinner got sick/disabled/died, there was at least a chance of the partner picking up the reins. It also meant singles could still afford to buy a home.
Working couples have now bid up the price of houses to the point where it is a very rare single indeed who can afford to buy a home, and average couples can't afford to get sick.
Technological progress, computers, ATM's, self service... by rights we should be working less, not more.
Instead of requiring 40-45 hours work a week to raise a family, now it requires 80-100 hours a week.
We are going backwards.

To me, the statement from the *Business Council* today, as published by ABC OnLine:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/14/3137847.htm

is indicative of the fact that they are not being sufficiently driven to perform at the level of best international practice. The reason I say this is that in some instances, the "Disability Support Pension" is clearly wholly inadequate.

Case in Point:

Australian Citizen AND *Veteran* of the Iraq War, young guy in his 20's, mentally crashed and burned under load, possible schizoid disorder, dumped in the Fremantle Alma Street Public Mental Health facility wherein his parent(s) were recently requested to authorise the use of *Clozapine.*

.. he "may" be in their now, locked up inside himSelf, surrounded by the worst aspects of his own nature considerably amplified, presenting constantly in his own conscious waking state as if it is a hostile foreign force, courtesy of the auditory and visual hallucinations in conjunction with the "errors of reference" and paranoia that have now beset him.

Indeed, a veritable distinct *Plane of the Abyss* wherein the Hellishness of the Battle Fields of Iraq have yet to relinquish him.

This one has yet to truly come home.

...

No private solution for this *Veteran* though it seems. As after all, by granting the relevant medics the right to make up their own fees, they have thereby effectively priced themselves out of the reach of the very people who most need them!

I.M.O. only by attempting a sustained broad spectrum therapy and treatment regime will anyone know whether this lad can be brought back to a high level of functionality.

It is a testimony to "gutlessness" that we don't hear from the so called "top brass" of the Australian military via the press about the inadequate nature of the medical support for service personal, both on and off the battle field I suspect.

..

CentreLink is largely no more than an excuse not to employ everyone (within reason) and pay them with at least a minimum independent financial security solution, which people on benefits argueably do not receive.

the butcher sez "many choose to work less to qualify for welfare payments"....

Or words to that effect.

Welfare of preferred in-groups is greater than the butcher suggests.

I am aware of one case of a qualified "professional" earning "just under" 80K, who occupies a housing commision house.

*and* the parents have substantial if not liquid assets.

People on the bones of their ass, homeless regardless of flood are still in emergency housing partly because commission housing is full and rents are at "market" rates.

anybody on "just under" 80K can afford normal rent or mortgage and the HC should start winnowing.

Rusty