The ABC Speaks

[Banjo]

Hi there
I d like to point out a clear mathematical error in the Government s media release; New Residency Rules For Disability support Pensioners.

Ms Macklin claims she will save three million dollars by tightening up the amount of time Disability Support Pensioners can spend over seas.

How is this so? Does she think they will abandon the pension en masse therefore saving the Government the money?
Surely a more likely scenario is that the all pour back into the country, put in a claim for rent allowance, put their prescriptions on their concession cards, spend at least one day a week at a bulk bill doctor am I up to another three million a year yet? Plus continue to collect their pension.

Am I so much dumber than a politician that I m missing something here? We re not talking about protecting people defrauding Centrelink, a pox on all their houses, but where is the logic in punishing all DSP recipients to catch a few? Isn t this what the Nazis did? Shoot a hundred people for ever soldier killed by partisans?

What does it matter if DSP pensioners come and go as they please? What s wrong with them having a little time in the sun? Have you seen the price of a winter holiday in Queensland recently?

xxxxxxxx
Somewhere in Asia.

And the reply....

Hi xxxxx,

Thanks for being in contact with the show and bringing our attention to this issue.

Obviously I would suggest contacting Minister Macklin's office for response to your questions.

Many thanks


Amy Verrall
Producer- Evenings with Peter Goers
891 ABC Adelaide
P [phone] F [phone]

Last time I listen to those idiots.

[richoz]

This is the KRudd Government mind you, $30 millions to save $3 million seems fair to me.

[Banjo]

I can't see politics are an issue here Rich, I can't remember too many goodies coming from Howard's mob.
But then I haven't bothered voting for awhile so I'm not really in a position to complain.

[hypoman]

hmmm, if Im forced to stay in Australia I will be a real headache to them!
first thing Ill be doing is 'spinning out' in govt offices (again!) about my wife and kids doing it hard overseas, because they just dont give a rats arse.
then Ill reregister my campervan, get some fringe benefits, some medication and everything Im entitled to. Ill be costing the govt some of that 3 mill they think theyll save.
as for contacting Macklins office I tried that and got no reply...

[Banjo]

Start getting stuck into them now, write, email, ring up on the free call when you're in Australia.
Get back to Macklin, write a letter, they have to reply. They can ignore emails to a certain degree.