Anton, the problem is, welfare is all about a 'hand up', not a 'hand out' which is often the case.

As for people living the high life, on the dol, well, some do, as they either work for cash, or, they deal in drugs.

So what's the problem with controlling, to some extent, where welfare dollars, provided by tax payers, are spent.

If they don't like it, get a job, because according to some here, that's not a problem cause we have full employment.

Now on the other hand, if someone is unemployable, why then should they be allowed to waste our money.

There are even option for people to earn money from home, but that cuts into their hand outs, so many don't.

Dear Belly,

I wasn't accusing you of anything. I was speaking
in generalities about how welfare is viewed by
some people - whereas in actual fact it only
constitutes approx. two percent of the federal
budget - and as Anthony stated - I also would rather
we spend that two percent on welfare than on so many
other things that our society can do without. The fact
remains that although there are some who abuse the
system - overall - our system works quite efficiently.
But of course the myths will continue to abound.

It is sad that so many do abuse the system and take so much for granted, and then ruin things for others doing it tough and doing the right thing. Having said that in terms of Welfare and how much it can help those in need, especially single parents and those with a disabilty, I'm curious to know what others think of the governments welfare to work policy that came into affect in 2005? So once a person's youngest child turns 6 parents are forced to undertake a min 15 hrs work per week, and are shifted to a lesser rate of payment. As a single mother who is currently studying for higher education this policy has great impacts. The government encourages people to obtain higher education to better themselves and get into the workforce, but such policies can greatly restrict this. Does anyone else feel the same? Or do people think the policy is fair? I am really curious of people's views on this one :) thanks so much..

In my view, people who are studying in ways that will increase their employability and their productivity should be supported while they study, particularly if they have children.
This is a sensible investment of government money on behalf of taxpayers.
The returns on the investment are:
> Lower likelihood of the student, once graduated, being dependent on welfare in the future
> Increased probability that the student will be able to make a greater contribution to tax revenues in the future as the graduate usually earns more than if the study was not undertaken, and much, much more than if the unemployed person had not sought further education at all and had remained unemployed;
> Increased probability that the student, once graduated, will be able to contribute to Australia's international competitiveness, (the successful economies of the future will be those with an educated workforce);
> Statistics tell us that the children of educated parents are more likely themselves to become educated, so the benefits of education tend to be multi-generational.
For all these reasons, I think unemployed people who undertake further education should be well supported.
It's the same as companies funding cadetships and so on - it just makes good business sense to invest in education.
Anthony
http://www.observationpoint.com.au

Oh, those horrible bludgers on welfare! Those terrible people! Militarism, racism, international and intranational conflict, destruction of the environment and a million etceteras are real problems. Oh well, it somehow seems to me that welfare is not a real concern except to make sure that all Australians have access to decent education, health care, opportunity for employment and decent living conditions.

I wounder how many understand it was the ALP who fought for welfare.
The Child welfare payment was proceeded by the Church of my birth joining the Liberals in naming it, Communism.
It is undeniable truth the ALP is the party of welfare.
These two terms have seen rises higher than any in pour history.
IF Labor does not reform welfare Liberals will.
Two very different results are the end result.
I think Daidf is expressing the nice persons view,hecklinging me for mine.
My posts show my rising from true welfare, until now no evidence of how much I gave and still give,to those in need.
Who knows a family of three generations,17 in all, on the dole,all working their way from there to sickness benefits then pensions?
Some are there others various stops on the way.
No intention to ever work.
What has the overall percentage of costs got to do with fraud, do we care that these family's, the one I speak of, steels cars, any thing?
Is targeting the fraud unkind, many Rechtubs exist, food stamps!
Australians know some fraud takes place, separate the fraud, it is that I target, from the true needy.
Now consider this, always some need help to find a job? once not very long ago we gave them one councils roads all gave such people work.
NOW? we create whole generations of forever poor, casual workers never to have a paid sick day a holiday working for contractors charging us more for less.