Individual, a single mother with one child would receive $1200 / fortnight, plus rental assistance, plus rebates on gas, electricity, water, car registration and license, health care card, bulk billed doctors visits. Then there is the $800 she would receive every July as a a Family Tax Benefit top up. Plus two days a week subsidised child care so she can do what she wants.
Not a bad gig at all. Not surprising 16 year old girls choose this career over working for junior wages

Big Nana,
Yeah, I have witnessed that scenario many times. What I want to know is, what about the fathers ? Are they not being chased up for child payments ?

What are the Public Servants in the Welfare & Child Support Departments doing all day ?
If we owe the ATO $25.- they know how to track us down ! Perhaps Welfare & Child Support Officers should be trained by the ATO ? Centrelink Officers need more training in moral judgement. I mean there's something seriously wrong if a tattooed from top to bottom so they have an excuse for being unemployed can get Welfare yet a genuine family in need can't ?
These CL officers really need to be sufficiently competent to make on-the-spot moral decisions instead of relying on the insidious one shoe fits all policies !

"Indy, welfare recipients should not be 'going to the RSL' spending the tax dollars afforded them by the generosity of us tax payers, certainly not on the demon drink."

The government shouldn't be spending money on foreigners either while Aussies wait on hospital waiting lists.

"Centrelink Officers need more training in moral judgement."

Indy, sounds like a good job for Archy Pell, do you think you might write him a personal reference.

Steele,

I agree with you entirely; the Government move is punitive for no good purpose, it could be seen as vindictive by many.