Post by Banjo on Apr 4, 2010 13:24:13 GMT 7
Sharyn Posted at 2:57 PM April 01, 2010
Curious as to why the article is making it sound like $700 a fortnight is actually enough to live off in the first place. That barely covers rent. I think those getting worked up about this do their sums. It actually would save the Aussie govt and tax payers money for not having to pay for medical care and medications on the PBS. There's never just one side to these stories. The pension rate is NOT enough to live off here in Australia. And people should remember a lot of these people claiming these payments have been tax payers for many many years themselves. But then again, to understand, I guess you would have to walk a mile...
Dont really blame them of Bris Posted at 11:25 PM March 27, 2010
In some ways you could hardly blame them when a very basic one bedroom flat costs $200+ per week to rent in any city in Aust, leaving the grand some of $150 to cover all living expenses, food, medicines, clothes, running cars etc. If they are disability pensioners that generally would mean they are visiting doctors, hospitals, subsidized medicines etc. which they are entitled to and would not be using if they are out of the country most of the time. They could actually afford to pay for those things in many other countries. Living on a pension in this country is no picnic. It is basic survival and that is all.
anon e-mouse of rock #3 Posted at 1:39 AM March 28, 2010
why not? - their paltry pension would have them living as paupers here in oz, far below the poverty line, so why not let them be overseas where their pathetic sum of $350 a week can give them a half decent life??
Jon the Baby Boomer of Brisbane Posted at 6:35 AM March 28, 2010
What a great idea. Encourage all pensioners to take up this option. No pensioners on our failing medical system as well reducing heaps of age care support costs. Gets them off the roads as well. Start to sound good? Government made an emotion charged decision in stopping what could be a win win for all, including a developing country. So what if they work over there many of us oldies are trades, business, and professionals and could bring care and a better way of life to others.
Tim Posted at 6:46 AM March 28, 2010
I don't blame them - they are not prisoners in this country. To live from $ 700 a fortnight here is a total nightmare if you even want to have a glimpse of a halfway decent life. It's the Australian government's fault, as well as the unbelievable greed in this country, from supermarkets to landlords. You don't have to live in misery if you've a choice, state pension or not.
Not a jet setter of Gold Coast Posted at 6:50 AM March 28, 2010
Don't know how they do it. My husband gets $440 a fortnight because he is chronically ill with a life threatening illness. I get %450 a fortnight aged pension. We are deemed to have an income much higher than we actually get from our part time business (necessary so we can pay the $750 a fortnight rent) and assets far higher than the few sticks of secondhand furniture and decrepit car we actually own. Centrelink makes up its own rules, and even though the ATO assess our income at a certain level, we are 'deemed' to have four times the reality. So there are now two classes of welfare poor. Those of us who are living way below what is considered the poverty line and being open and honest and being punished for it and those who are savvy and can use the rules to their advantage. Never been to Bali, think I will just move there and live in a Kampong. Might even be a step up financially.
maybe i'll try of brisbane Posted at 6:53 AM March 28, 2010
good on them for finding a way to live on very little money
Justine Posted at 7:01 AM March 28, 2010
This is the sort of tabloid journalism that encourages lazy, cynical politicians to play on envy and wedge politics to get votes. it is comes as no surprise that some of the groups who are least able to defend themselves, disability pensioners, the old and the ill are set upon and blamed by politicians to divert attention away from their own inadequacies and omissions in planning and public policy.
More than a hundred here,
www.couriermail.com.au/money/welfare-loophole-allows-disability-pensioners-to-go-on-permanent-vacation/comments-e6freqoo-1225846381856
Curious as to why the article is making it sound like $700 a fortnight is actually enough to live off in the first place. That barely covers rent. I think those getting worked up about this do their sums. It actually would save the Aussie govt and tax payers money for not having to pay for medical care and medications on the PBS. There's never just one side to these stories. The pension rate is NOT enough to live off here in Australia. And people should remember a lot of these people claiming these payments have been tax payers for many many years themselves. But then again, to understand, I guess you would have to walk a mile...
Dont really blame them of Bris Posted at 11:25 PM March 27, 2010
In some ways you could hardly blame them when a very basic one bedroom flat costs $200+ per week to rent in any city in Aust, leaving the grand some of $150 to cover all living expenses, food, medicines, clothes, running cars etc. If they are disability pensioners that generally would mean they are visiting doctors, hospitals, subsidized medicines etc. which they are entitled to and would not be using if they are out of the country most of the time. They could actually afford to pay for those things in many other countries. Living on a pension in this country is no picnic. It is basic survival and that is all.
anon e-mouse of rock #3 Posted at 1:39 AM March 28, 2010
why not? - their paltry pension would have them living as paupers here in oz, far below the poverty line, so why not let them be overseas where their pathetic sum of $350 a week can give them a half decent life??
Jon the Baby Boomer of Brisbane Posted at 6:35 AM March 28, 2010
What a great idea. Encourage all pensioners to take up this option. No pensioners on our failing medical system as well reducing heaps of age care support costs. Gets them off the roads as well. Start to sound good? Government made an emotion charged decision in stopping what could be a win win for all, including a developing country. So what if they work over there many of us oldies are trades, business, and professionals and could bring care and a better way of life to others.
Tim Posted at 6:46 AM March 28, 2010
I don't blame them - they are not prisoners in this country. To live from $ 700 a fortnight here is a total nightmare if you even want to have a glimpse of a halfway decent life. It's the Australian government's fault, as well as the unbelievable greed in this country, from supermarkets to landlords. You don't have to live in misery if you've a choice, state pension or not.
Not a jet setter of Gold Coast Posted at 6:50 AM March 28, 2010
Don't know how they do it. My husband gets $440 a fortnight because he is chronically ill with a life threatening illness. I get %450 a fortnight aged pension. We are deemed to have an income much higher than we actually get from our part time business (necessary so we can pay the $750 a fortnight rent) and assets far higher than the few sticks of secondhand furniture and decrepit car we actually own. Centrelink makes up its own rules, and even though the ATO assess our income at a certain level, we are 'deemed' to have four times the reality. So there are now two classes of welfare poor. Those of us who are living way below what is considered the poverty line and being open and honest and being punished for it and those who are savvy and can use the rules to their advantage. Never been to Bali, think I will just move there and live in a Kampong. Might even be a step up financially.
maybe i'll try of brisbane Posted at 6:53 AM March 28, 2010
good on them for finding a way to live on very little money
Justine Posted at 7:01 AM March 28, 2010
This is the sort of tabloid journalism that encourages lazy, cynical politicians to play on envy and wedge politics to get votes. it is comes as no surprise that some of the groups who are least able to defend themselves, disability pensioners, the old and the ill are set upon and blamed by politicians to divert attention away from their own inadequacies and omissions in planning and public policy.
More than a hundred here,
www.couriermail.com.au/money/welfare-loophole-allows-disability-pensioners-to-go-on-permanent-vacation/comments-e6freqoo-1225846381856