Post by Banker on May 9, 2012 8:47:19 GMT 7
Globetrotting Australians will have their welfare payments cut as the Government tries to find savings in social security benefits.
But its biggest attempt to leave a legacy - a $1 billion downpayment for the National Disability Insurance Scheme - has been criticised by the WA Government.
Under the changes to welfare eligibility, the amount of time welfare recipients can spend overseas will be reduced from 13 to six weeks.
The changes will affect disabled pensioners, carers, widow pensioners, parenting payment recipients and Youth Allowance recipients although Youth Allowance recipients studying overseas will be exempt. Family Tax Benefit A recipients will have their payment reduced to the base amount.
Age pensioners will not have their pension cut but the various cost of living allowances will be reduced. The dole generally cannot be collected while someone is overseas.
Australia will also come into line with other developed countries by requiring age pensioners to have worked in Australia for at least 35 years to receive their full pension if they opt to retire or travel overseas for extended periods.
Both measures will save $178 million over four years.
Despite opposition from welfare groups, the Government will push ahead with booting 100,000 single jobless parents off parenting payment and on to the dole when their youngest child turns eight.
It will cost parents $120 a fortnight but the measures, designed as an incentive to move from welfare to work, will save $700 million.
The Government plans to spend $1 billion over the next four years establishing the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which once it is up and running will provide support services for 400,000 people with a disability. But WA Treasurer Christian Porter said more than half of the funding allocated to the NDIS would be spent on administration, including $250 million on IT and $122 million on planning.
Innaloo resident Rayna Lamb said the Government's commitment to the NDIS meant for the first time in her life, she would have security and peace of mind. Ms Lamb, 38, said NDIS would assure that she and every other person living with a disability would be able to access the support they needed to live a full and meaningful life.
au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/13636743/payments-cut-for-globetrotting-recipients/
But its biggest attempt to leave a legacy - a $1 billion downpayment for the National Disability Insurance Scheme - has been criticised by the WA Government.
Under the changes to welfare eligibility, the amount of time welfare recipients can spend overseas will be reduced from 13 to six weeks.
The changes will affect disabled pensioners, carers, widow pensioners, parenting payment recipients and Youth Allowance recipients although Youth Allowance recipients studying overseas will be exempt. Family Tax Benefit A recipients will have their payment reduced to the base amount.
Age pensioners will not have their pension cut but the various cost of living allowances will be reduced. The dole generally cannot be collected while someone is overseas.
Australia will also come into line with other developed countries by requiring age pensioners to have worked in Australia for at least 35 years to receive their full pension if they opt to retire or travel overseas for extended periods.
Both measures will save $178 million over four years.
Despite opposition from welfare groups, the Government will push ahead with booting 100,000 single jobless parents off parenting payment and on to the dole when their youngest child turns eight.
It will cost parents $120 a fortnight but the measures, designed as an incentive to move from welfare to work, will save $700 million.
The Government plans to spend $1 billion over the next four years establishing the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which once it is up and running will provide support services for 400,000 people with a disability. But WA Treasurer Christian Porter said more than half of the funding allocated to the NDIS would be spent on administration, including $250 million on IT and $122 million on planning.
Innaloo resident Rayna Lamb said the Government's commitment to the NDIS meant for the first time in her life, she would have security and peace of mind. Ms Lamb, 38, said NDIS would assure that she and every other person living with a disability would be able to access the support they needed to live a full and meaningful life.
au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/13636743/payments-cut-for-globetrotting-recipients/
