Yes 579 and what a cange it is to see voters like myself critical of their own party, rather than pledging their unconditional support, regardless of how rotten their parties action were.

It's stupid policy and hopefully won't get past go, let alone lead to the $200.

It would be interesting to know the success rates for marriage counselling. My own experience with it left me appauled and with an utter lack of faith in the level of professionalism of those touting themselves as counsellors.

I also don't think that $200 is enough to make a difference even if there was evidence that paying for marriage counselling was a valid use of peoples taxes.

My gut feel is that all the money will do is cause an increase in the price of marriage counselling sessions. Eg those who don't get the $200 or who have already used it but who wish to get more counselling will find the cost higher than they otherwise would have. That seems to be the norm when the government decides to subsidize part of the communities use of some service.

R0bert

This proposition is crazy beyond all comprehension - particularly when the whole welfare system has supposedly blown out beyond sustainability. (The same must be said for proposed extension to Paid Parental Leave - incomprehensible, unjustifiable and ludicrous.)
Sure, our marital success rate may not be too good, but the fault lies with our burgeoning culture of 'easy come, easy go' (or, superficial expectations that 'someone else will pick up the tab').
The place to build responsible, accountable citizenship is via the education system - from day 1.

If a couple are unsure of how to maintain a committed relationship the responsible thing to do is to a) gain more life experience; b) review the truthful basis of their 'relationship'; c) forget about a long-term or a marital commitment until 'they' are absolutely certain they can make it work, (and truly want to make it work), and d) avoid childbirth like the plague in the meantime.
If there is undue and unacceptable stress in the relationship, don't have a child, but, wake up and get out.
Counseling may have a place - when a heretofore strong and 'genuine' relationship gets 'frayed' - but will be useless unless both partners are truly committed for the long haul - and part of proving commitment is to pay for the counseling yourself.

Pre-marital (or pre-relationship) Counseling? Sure, have a go if needed - just as one would undertake a healthy eating plan, fitness plan, sports development, serious hobby or developmental education. But, pay for it yourself - as you would for any of these other life-fitness programs.

'Handouts' are like a free dog - those receiving can usually be relied upon to fail to 'treasure' their acquisition, unlike those who willingly pay a fortune for the same 'privilege'.

It's not crazy at all, it's the Modus operandi for all politicians, err parasites. You see, the Minister for Social Services, Kevin Andrews authored the plan and how convenient he and his wife run a Catholic, marriage guidance, counseling company.

These pricks from both sides are all the same, there to fill their pockets whichever way they can, they're all freakn crooks.

Thief!

Snake,
cheers for the Andrews link. I did my bit to stop such idiocy.