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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2014 21:56:25 GMT 7
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2014 5:08:30 GMT 7
Are they just going to make it harder for new applicants with a mental illness applying for the DSP or will they pick on people with a mental illness already on the DSP also?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2014 6:16:26 GMT 7
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Post by pactrpo on Feb 22, 2014 6:54:00 GMT 7
Are they just going to make it harder for new applicants with a mental illness applying for the DSP or will they pick on people with a mental illness already on the DSP also? probably both. cos everyone knows ya can just get over it. <-- being sarcastic. |
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Post by pactrpo on Feb 22, 2014 7:11:11 GMT 7
so where is this work the govt thinks us people with mental health problems can do?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2014 7:56:55 GMT 7
so where is this work the govt thinks us people with mental health problems can do? They don't care if theres no jobs, they only care about the money they save kicking people off the DSP onto newstart and less applicants for the DSP being successful |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2014 8:10:12 GMT 7
, February 22, 2014 08:19:00
Listen to MP3 of this story ( minutes)
Alternate WMA version | MP3 download
ELIZABETH JACKSON: The Federal Government is preparing to overhaul the Disability Support Pension.
The scheme is being assessed as part of a review into Australia's welfare system by the former head of Mission Australia, Patrick McClure.
The review's interim report is expected to be handed to the Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews next week.
But the Minister has already flagged an interest in establishing a new tiered system, which could see more rigorous medical monitoring of those on the pension.
Sarah Hawke reports.
SARAH HAWKE: The latest figures from the Government show a record number of people on the disability pension.
Over 832,000 Australian now receive the payment of up to $813 a fortnight.
About 1,000 new pensions are granted weekly, although that's a lower rate of growth than three years ago.
Mr Andrews says there's also been a shift in the type of claims.
KEVIN ANDREWS: Thirty-one per cent of those on the DSP (disability support pension) are now qualifying because of a psychological or psychiatric condition so that's overtaken the largest group historically on the DSP, namely people with muscular-skeletal injuries.
SARAH HAWKE: With $15 billion spent on the pension and with Australia's aging population, the Government's looking at options to shift more recipients back into the workforce.
The Minister's already flagged a multi-tiered system separating permanent and temporary recipients.
Some temporary recipients under 40 could face more regular reviews, which may involve independent assessors.
Mr Andrews says he's looking forward to what the review shows but abilities must be recognised.
KEVIN ANDREWS: We think that there are many people these days in particular who have episodic chronic illness - that is, they have got a capacity to perhaps work or be involved in some activity on some occasions but not on all occasions. And if we were to reverse the way we look at this and say 'well can work on people's capacity or ability rather than just concentrating on their incapacity or disability,' then we may be able to find ways in which we can help people to remain active and perhaps in some instance connected with the workforce, whereas at the moment they aren't.
SARAH HAWKE: The social services sector is supportive of helping more people with disabilities into the workplace. But it's worried that there's still too many barriers which the Government must address.
Cassandra Goldie is the CEO of the Australian Council of Social Services.
CASSANDRA GOLDIE: And we know from even the department's own report that people with mental illness are much more disadvantaged in the labour market. Employers seem to have an attitude that people are a risk coming into the workplace, and there's a lot of stigma attached to this.
SARAH HAWKE: Is the Government in fact going to have to allocate a fair bit of money to make that system work if they do go down this line?
CASSANDRA GOLDIE: First of all, we believe there needs to be much better support for people with disability, both in physical support and support on the home front. But on the other hand, appropriate supports in the workplace to support employers in breaking down the myths, in making sure that the resources and supports are put into the workplace and to continue to address the stigmas associated with it.
SARAH HAWKE: Next week's report will also cover the Newstart allowance.
But another key income support payment, the aged pension, won't be altered by Mr Andrews.
KEVIN ANDREWS: I don't know whether others might look at the aged pension. As you know, the commission of audit is looking at the whole range of government programs and government involvement; it may say something about the aged pension. I simply don't know. But what I'm saying is that the working age payments, which is my portfolio, that doesn't include the aged pension.
ELIZABETH JACKSON: And that's the Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews, ending that report from Sarah Hawke.
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Post by themental on Feb 22, 2014 13:02:55 GMT 7
Do you feel your mental health issues have got worse because your worry about these changes?
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Post by Banjo on Feb 22, 2014 13:38:32 GMT 7
Jenny Macklin says Coalition DSP plan may worsen mental health issues LABOR has described the Coalition’s plan to divert people with mental illnesses away from the disability support pension (DSP) as a “cruel cash grab from a government that doesn’t care about vulnerable Australians.” Labor’s spokeswoman for disability reform Jenny Macklin said people with mental illnesses needed more support, not less. “People with mental illness on the DSP have severe and profound disabilities. Many of them cannot work at all — that is why they are on the DSP. This decision will leave them incredibly vulnerable, and puts them at risk of worsening health,” Ms Macklin said. “It seems there is no end to how low this government will go in its search for savage cuts. Kevin Andrews should hang his head in shame at this latest attempt to hurt some of Australia’s most vulnerable.” A surge in the number of disability pensioners to record levels will spark an Abbott government push for a radical welfare restructure that diverts people with mental illnesses from becoming permanent DSP recipients. The latest figures show there were 832,024 DSP recipients in December, a rise of more than 10,000 since June last year and eclipsing the previous record of 831,908 in December 2011. The number of DSP recipients with a mental illness has increased by about 90,000 over the past 10 years, to 256,380, overtaking the previous most common impairment category, musculoskeletal and connective tissue disabilities, which has fallen by 12,000 over the same period. Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews told The Weekend Australian that the government had asked the head of its internal welfare review, Patrick McClure, to look at options for “diverting” people with mental illnesses from getting on to the DSP. Mr Andrews said he believed the mentally ill needed intensive support if they were to be denied the payment, and this was part of the strategy the government would take when it made its final decision after receiving the McClure report. www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/jenny-macklin-says-coalition-dsp-plan-may-worsen-mental-health-issues/story-fn59nokw-1226834548754
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2014 13:41:46 GMT 7
They haven't said if it only applies to new applicants for the DSP with a mental illness or those already on the DSP
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Post by pactrpo on Feb 22, 2014 16:09:04 GMT 7
They haven't said if it only applies to new applicants for the DSP with a mental illness or those already on the DSP knowing this govt it will apply to all. |
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Post by zorro1 on Feb 22, 2014 21:40:48 GMT 7
Now that they have canned the idea of touching the old age pension they will focus on the DSP.
So far there is only one definite suggestion that has been made and unfortunately its the culling of mental health. They will push it through because the have to do SOMETHING.
I think its a complete disgrace attacking what is a very vulnerable group.
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Post by zorro1 on Feb 22, 2014 21:44:58 GMT 7
what happened?
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Post by zorro1 on Feb 22, 2014 21:54:08 GMT 7
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2014 4:38:01 GMT 7
"Tony Abbott draws 'BATTLELINES' for the Liberal Party" He uses the word 'Battlelines' is it some sort of class war against the unemployed, welfare recipients and low paid workers he is waging. Take everything from them and give it all to the rich, give Gina Reinhart another tax break.
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