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How long should single parents receive welfare payments? Until their child is 16? That’s how it is now. Or until their child turns eight? That’s how it will be soon.
Raiding single parent payments might have been the last thing you’d expect from a Labor Government, but then, nothing about this Government has been exactly run-of-the-mill.
And so, balancing that delicate budget has come to this: removing the single parent pension from mothers or fathers who don’t work, once their youngest child turns eight. Currently, the payment allows single parents to receive $648.50 a fortnight until their youngest child is 16.
It’ll save Treasurer Wayne Swan some $700 million as he strips the budget bare, but how much will it cost families?
Undoubtedly there are those single parents who could work once their children hit school. Many do and have over the past years and decades. But sweeping changes like these – set to affect 100,000 single parents – inevitably punish some who genuinely have no other option. They get caught in the ‘tough love’ net of governments who never seem to be able to decide whether they’re buying votes or showing voters they can be harsh and economical.
Maybe these jobless parents really can’t find work. Maybe they can’t get to work because they live regionally and can’t afford a car. Or petrol.
Those who lose the parenting payment can, of course, jump on the dole (the Newstart Allowance) but they’ll end up with $118.70 less per fortnight which might not sound like a lot but when you’re already trying to make ends meet, it just drags those ends a little further apart.
The Government, for it’s part, has protected parents of children with special needs and disabilities from the new measure but has told us all the mums and dads in work will be great for the economy.
No doubt. But it might not be great for single parents.
What do you think, is this a reasonable move or is it going too far?
Comments
560 Comments so far
I am not sure what they are going on about. When my daughter turned 8 over 2 years ago I wasn’t able to stay on the parenting pension. They have already changed it when I signed up as a single parent in 2007. I am now working 3 days a week. And had to take 6 months off for cancer treatment. Now back at work 3 days and need more work as it is not enough to support my single parent family.
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Well I know one, who never worked and does not want to look for a job. Instead she had her second child, living in a housing unit flat whit her un empolyed ‘so called’ de facto partner who also does not work. They pretend that they are separated and they are not, and yet she is on a single parent payment. Is she cheating on a system? Or not?
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It may not be an issue for you but try to understand that not every single parent is in the same situation as you. Many can’t find work or can’t get to work, can’t find a job that enables them to either pay for childcare or care for their children outside of school hours. I don’t see a problem with having participation requirements which enable single parents to study and earn a qualification so they can get a decent job which will pay enough for them to support their family (as was the case previously) but what about those parents who have only stayed at home with the kids, become single and then find themselves without qualifications or adequate work experience? I think full time study on a single parent pension should still be an option.
I too am a single parent. I’ve studied since my eldest child was 1 and have nearly finished my degree so I can support myself and my kids. But I also understand that there are so many different circumstances and that not everyone has had the opportunities that I have had. For example, I know of one mother of 3 who recently became single after ending a previously supportive relationship courtesy of abuse and cancer. Her youngest is 9, she would love to be a nurse and would be great at it if given the chance but she simply cant study on newstart while supporting her children. Healthcare loses out on what could have been a great nurse and she will never be able to gain a qualification while working and caring for her kids alone. There is a whole world of people out there who are different to you and some of them (including children) will suffer for this change. That is the problem.
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Personally i don’t see an issue with this. I am a single mother, i work full time, study part time and get a percentage of the single parenting payment. My ex doesn’t pay child support. My daughter goes to child care 5 days a week because i have no other option. I live on my own and all my bills are paid for each month. When my daughter turns 8 and i lose my small percentage of the pension, i don’t see it being a big issue as i won’t be paying astronomical child care fees anymore. By then, i will also have completed my studies and will get a pay rise, leaving me around the same as what i get now. Which isn’t much to begin with.
Basically, if you plan ahead, you should be ready to go back into the work force by the time your child turns 8. Prep starts when they are 5/6, so is everyone planning to sit around on their butts for 2 years and not do anything about it, then cry poor and ‘unfair’ when their payments are cut?
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It may not be an issue for you but try to understand that not every single parent is in the same situation as you. Many can’t find work or can’t get to work, can’t find a job that enables them to either pay for childcare or care for their children outside of school hours. I don’t see a problem with having participation requirements which enable single parents to study and earn a qualification so they can get a decent job which will pay enough for them to support their family (as was the case previously) but what about those parents who have only stayed at home with the kids, become single and then find themselves without qualifications or adequate work experience? I think full time study on a single parent pension should still be an option.
I too am a single parent. I’ve studied since my eldest child was 1 and have nearly finished my degree so I can support myself and my kids. But I also understand that there are so many different circumstances and that not everyone has had the opportunities that I have had. For example, I know of one mother of 3 who recently became single after ending a previously supportive relationship courtesy of abuse and cancer. Her youngest is 9, she would love to be a nurse and would be great at it if given the chance but she simply cant study on newstart while supporting her children. Healthcare loses out on what could have been a great nurse and she will never be able to gain a qualification while working and caring for her kids alone. There is a whole world of people out there who are different to you and some of them (including children) will suffer for this change. That is the problem.
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I have been cut from parenting payment onto newstart.
It’s not just the cut of aprox $130 for me .
I work 15 to 20 hrs a week,the government used to start taking
money from parenting payment after you earnt $200 a fortnight now it is $64
they take 50 cents in the dollar.After earning $250- a fortnight they take 60 cents in the dollar so im worse off at least $100 a week.
I dont get any maitenence from the ex,never have.
I have done a budget there is NO money left over for xmas,b’days,vets, school excursions.
It’s soo depressing i work hard and still have to live under the poverty line.
I like my job and im happy there,now i feel i will have to leave as we cant live like this,
The government has no idea how tough it is to raise children on your own,
now this,very unfair,depressing ,
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I have raised two children on my own for years with no family support and very little help from their father, who chose to walk away and abandon us. For the past few years I have been studying part time for a degree and working part time whilst receiving the parenting payment single. I earned enough combined with the parenting payment to support us. I have accrued a large FEE HELP debt with the government for my studies, as the degree I am doing is a 4 year degree. I am just over halfway through it. Based on my Newstart payment, we are so much worse off I am seriously considering abandoning my studies, mainly based on the fact that I can now only earn $31 per week before the Newstart allowance starts reducing by 40 cents in every dollar. There is no way I can manage financially with only part-time work now, so my question is – if I abandon my degree studies, through no fault of my own I am now stuck with a massive FEE HELP debt for a degree that I was unable to complete (again through no fault of my own). I commenced studying believing that I could rely on the parenting payment single until I finished my degree. Is the government going to waive my FEE HELP debt because they are responsible for financially penalising me to such an extent that I’m unable to complete my studies? I would never have tried to improve employment prospects by going to university had I known beforehand that I’d be cut off financially by Labor halfway through my course. Thanks to Labor I’ve now accrued a massive debt that will mess me around financially for years – given I would have earned more as a graduate than going back to some menial unskilled work now. These changes and forcing us to be humiliated on Newstart (thanks Centrelink staff, you always know how to make us feel pathetic and useless) are a disgrace. I was already working 15 hours a week and studying 24 hours each week – and we were doing fine. Now I have to abandon my degree and increase my work to get off Newstart. Thanks for nothing Labor – never voting for you again.
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My friend is a single mother studying full time at uni… shes halfway through her 4 year degree… She has 2 kids who are both in school, and centrelink has agreed to continue giving her the parenting payment single, and all benefits included (e.g. education supplement, pensioner card, rent assitance) if she continues studying full time. Not to mention she also gets $300 per week child support. Call them and see what theyll do for you, cos her payment hasnt been affected at all
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Seriously? I am in the exact same position as your friend-I have been told i MUST go onto Austudy, with a $150 per fortnight reduction in payment.
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Yes, I swear to god! She just went in and they organised a personal plan for her… I was a bit shocked myself! She also gets $5000 from her uni per year as an equity scholarship which doesnt affect her payment.. What uni do you go to? Good luck!
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Hey so I just called her to confirm what I told you, and yep she confirmed 100% that they are extending her parenting payment single rate, and all benefits until she finishes her degree! Once shes finished theyll switch her to newstart, but she wants to work full time as soon as shes finished anyway. She also has to finish her degree within a agreed period. You just have to go in and ask them to assess your case individually.
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Speak to Centerlink and ask to be changed to Austudy. Its around the same rate as newstart but you can earn up to $400 a f/n before it affects your payments. This is what really annoys me. Most Centerlink staff are don’t know how to do their jobs and don’t advise people of their choices.
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I know there may be genuine circumstances of geniune single mothers but seriously tell me how my daughter who nearly 19 is on junior wages earns less that what a single parent gets?
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Does she have a child? That’s why.
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The culture of choosing to have a baby and not working to support it has been encouraged by our welfare system for many years. It is now the ‘done thing’ for many. Parents who separate and have children to raise are indeed entitled to support. I do know that there are many different stories and circumstances, but basically if you are single and choose to have a child and then cry poor I do not have any sympathy. You quite simply do not have a child in the first place! It is up to you and your partner to support it.
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Most of the single mums who I know, including myself, didn’t choose to be single parents. The crazy thing is most of us are already working and/or studying and we are the ones losing the most by these changes. The small group of single parents who continue to have children and completely rely on welfare are totally unaffected by these changes. That’s what is so frustrating! Those of us who are trying to get ahead are being penalised. It takes time to get back on your feet after a relationship breakdown. In my case, I am trying to get a uni degree so that I can get a well paying job. But these changes mean that people like me need to find more work which leaves less time for study, so we need income support for longer. Ironic isn’t it! I’ll get there. But I do worry about the parents who are doing the right thing but can only find low paying/minimum wage jobs. They are going to be forever disadvantaged.
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Not everyone is lucky enough to find a partner or husband and have a family and live in a modest house with a white picket fence. Some women are unlucky in love and should not have to put up with people like you judging them because they don’t want to remain childless for the rest of their life. If they do everything possible to make sure they can provide financially for this child then why is it a problem that they receive some sort of government assistance when a couple with two children with a combined income of $100,000 is eligible for assistance????? How is that fair?
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Where are all the fathers in this? Surely they pay child support in the majority of cases? Maybe child support is insufficient?
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There is over $1 BILLION owing in outstanding child support. Most of this amount is made up of individual debts of $10,000. Some father simply refuse to pay. Others reduce their income, work cash in hand or refuse to lodge tax returns to avoid their obligations
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I’m a single mum who’s about to be changed from parenting payment to newstart. The entitlement mentality irritates me too, as does the “single mum stereotype”. It’s old & untrue. I was married and was a SAHM. Like most I didn’t plan on being a single mum. I’m grateful we do have a safety net for when life gets turned upside down. But I think it’s wrong that people expect to raise their family on welfare indefinitely. Single parents need to look at a future beyond welfare. If you can’t find work once your children are of school age, then when? The longer you are not in paid work, the harder it will be. Besides, who wants to settle for the limited income that centrelink provides and just survive? I sure don’t and I don’t want to be answerable to centrelink for the rest of my life – in the way that a single parent is! I’ve been studying since my youngest started school and I now work part time, because I need extra income to keep my head above water. Working means that I can only study part time, so it will take me longer to finish my degree. But I’ll get there. While I agree that the govt should encourage parents to work. I don’t agree with parents being changed over to newstart. Just because our youngest child turns 8 doesn’t mean that our expenses diminish or that we cease being a parent. Those of us who work will be losing the most. If the government is serious about encouraging people to work, why are they targeting parents who are already working, studying or both. I would be better off financially if I had another baby and stayed home for another 8 years – don’t worry I won’t be doing that! I believe parents should be allowed to remain on parenting payments and not forced into the dole. But single parents need to do their part and work for 15 hours a week. Maybe we could all stop whinging about how bad centrelink is and accept that we need to work as well as putting our energies into asking the govt and workplaces to provide flexibility for all families, not just single parents.
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I don’t understand why, instead of moving single parents to New Start, they don’t gradually increase the activity load requirements from the time the youngest child is school aged (6) and then cut the payment off when the youngest child is say, 12 or 13. This way, parents who find themselves in difficult circumstances will have built up skills, training and education that will get them into full time work by the time the payment is cut.
I don’t mean to be cruel, but judging by some of the comments (and observations of many people on long term welfare payments), some of these people can’t spell basic high frequency words and use full stops. They’re often uneducated and have been unemployed for a long time – who is going to give them a job?
All this move is going to do is drive people into depression and they’ll end up on a DSP instead and further overload an already overloaded disability/mental health employment support services sector. Why not provide help off the bat before they find themselves in an impossible black hole?
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Im not sure if it does already, but it would be really great if this payment extends to volunteering if said single parents cant find suitable work to fit into school hours. Rural areas don’t always have after school care but all towns have some sort of volunteer jobs that would surely be more flexible and would benefit society just as much.
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What people don’t realise is that this decision affects ALL Single Parents who are WORKING not only those who don’t.
It affects mothers with 100% sole care of children with Disabilities and Special Needs.
I have never met a Single Mother who CHOSE this life path! The ones I have met have all been married, are all aged 30s/40s when their marriages ended. Four women have been widowed.
What many people don’t ‘get’ is that Single Mothers had work requirements introduced in 2006 by the Howard Government. We had to work a minimum of 15 hours PAID work each week. This was not applied to any other welfare recipient, only Single Mothers.
Unfortunately the ‘stereo-typical’ Single Mother crap is all people relate to. It’s what fires up ‘ACA’, ‘Today Tonight’ and talk back radio. Single Mothers who are productive members of Australian society, who work, who study, who have never been unemployed, who are educated etc are the ones who have to tolerate the demeaning comments. I guess there’s no pleasing some people.
I have always seen Mamamia as a website to support Women and encourage topical discussion, not such vile personal attacks. It’s incredibly sad and I am disappointed that such comments have not been moderated.
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Parents of children with special needs/disabilities are exempt actually.
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Not sure where you got your info from, but they’re not.
I have a friend with 2 boys, the eldest has autism. She had no option but to find work years ago as she receives zero child support (her ex refuses to pay it) and she’s been transferred onto Newstart, losing $100pw.
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No we are not exempt…….I am a working single parent and my 12 year son has severe high functioning autism…….I was moved from Parenting Payment to Newstart at the beginning of this year and have to follow all the same rules and regulations of how many hours I need to work etc as all other single parents. For the record I work in 2 jobs @28hrs a week and have done since my son was 18 months old…….having a child with special needs makes no difference.
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Sorry but don’t we already people already finding it hard to find work? What will happen the the 8 year old child when the mothers at scholl, don’t we already have children walking the streets, it’s there a problem with child care already for these poor people that are on waiting lists so the can get back to work after having babies etc, So the goverment must know they won’t find work in a hurry even if they what too, but they will get the $118.00 of the poor single parent, boy they must think people are dumb.
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Well all I can see that this has done, is give all these people an opportunity to bag out single parents, WOW hope their children don’t hear how you are talking about their mothers or fathers I’m sure this isn’t benefiting these children to hear how you are talking about they mums or dads, the people that they look to for love , hope and provide for them. Oh well if you feel you need to , sad really the way same people can bag out someone’s mum or dad. Their are good and bad in every situation .
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Unfavorable jobs and family relations, polluted ecology of large industrial cities, constant noise of crowded streets, junk food and take-always that are eaten instead of healthy homemade dishes, killed water, excessive drug use, lack of sleep and physical activities – that is the short list of bad factors undermining our central nervous system and causing stress and depression.
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After spending a few hours reading the comments from single parents, I have to say that I am appalled at the inherent ‘it’s not fair’ attitude and welfare mentality evident amongst many of the respondents. I’m sure many working women would love the luxury of staying home with their children until they’re 8 or even 16, but cannot because they work.
Australia’s current welfare system is the most generous in the world-truly! Our current taxation system penalizes those who work- did you know that of the tax every taxpayer pays, $100 a week goes to our welfare system? Why should the taxpayer pay for some unscrupulous single mothers to stay home?
Yes, living on welfare is hard- it’s supposed to be because it’s meant to be a helping hand and encourage people to work. You’re not meant to live on it- otherwise what’s the incentive to work? Unfortunately, the system has become so generous that Australia has developed a welfare underclass that breeds inter-generational poverty and all its ills. Where else in the world will the government provide you with subsidized housing, free healthcare, discounted medicines, and money? Unfortunately, the generous welfare system means that some kids take education for granted because they know they can either have kids and stay at home or go on the dole- I’ve seen this with my own eyes. This is shameful. In America, benefits are only available for a period of time. In Singapore, you have to use your superannuation. In Australia we’ve had it too good for too long and it’s time to change.
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“Why should the taxpayer pay for some unscrupulous single mothers to stay home?”
Because they’re a small minority of people who aren’t studying or working or trying to get back into the workforce?
I think what is shameful is that America has such poverty for a first world country. Why anyone would want their country to head in the same way baffles me.
I don’t have a problem having an activity requirement for receiving welfare, because education and training can only be a good thing. It would help break the intergenerational welfare dependency. This also needs to be backed with decent childcare that is available though, as well, and certainly where I live, that’s incredibly difficult to get.
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Are you serious? America has some of the worst poverty in the world for a developed country. Would you rather see our disadvantaged minority turfed out on the streets would you? I am glad you aren’t running the country!
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I feel very sorry for you! As a single mum of 30 I have worked for 15 years! yes you heard me I’ve been working for half of my life paying tax just like you, I’ve never been on the dole not once. My mother said to me if you don’t want to go to school then get a job no dole bluggers living in my house! So that’s just what I did. But are you telling me that my son who is 5 mths old should be rushed into daycare due to the fact some male doesn’t want anything to do with him? Or should I just not of had my beautiful son at all? Please I really would like an answer to this? Because I payed my tax year after year, I worked like a dog for years not taking a cent for anything, but I should be looked down on due to the fact some male couldn’t care less how bills are paid! in truth I am up skilling myself while I stay at home with my son so I can get a higher paying job, You know who the only person who truly suffers the child! Not you or I, its all those poor children.
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I don’t understand why the government cuts the pension on some single parents and not others. I have a friend who has a son aged 11. She found out that if she home schooled her son she could stay getting the full pension, health care and all the goodies that you get with a pension card. She pays no rent, is a home owner and sits on her lazy butt all day. Oh and she got her house from selling drugs when she was younger. Never wants to work, the kid has been taken from his friends so she can stay on the pension. Now I want to know why it’s ok for her and all the other home schooled kids to collect their cash when others miss out! My 2 kids have gone to school whilst I worked my butt off to give them what they have, no mooching and no baby bonus for me.
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What are the goodies you get with a pension card?
I haven’t received the list of wonders you mention. Everyone with a medicare card can get free healthcare, too.
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Not everyone with a medicare card can get free health care unless they clog up hospital emergency departments with issues that should be attended in a GP’s surgery.
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Rubbish. Go to a bulk-billing GP.
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I am a single mum of 51 with a 9 year old child who has ADHA and alot of the other problems that come with it. I can not even get an appointment with centrelink until the 16/1/13. I have no family to help out. I also wish I had never left a very abusive relationship where i was not allowed to work
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The government Should live on what single mothers get its hard I’m a single mum I find it hard I’ve done a course in age care then I had to do my placement for 80hrs at a age care facility had to leave home at 5am in the morning while my children were still sleeping they had to defend by them selfs I have no family to help I hated leaving them home alone just say if a house fire started or someone broke into the house or if one of my children got hurt there’s no one there for them the government have to start thinking about what if that was them this world is getting worse just image the crime rate when no parents are at home there will be more suicide attempts
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I think rather than cutting payments, it’s more important to prevent single parents by having licenses to have children. I see so many people with abusive partners, irresponsible partners, people with no job history, people with no high school qualifications, people with disabilities, no savings etc. Shit happens and that’s what the welfare is for but many people started abusing the system which in turn makes the people who are actually in need look bad. What I really want is not just the single parents getting the benefit, but EVERY PARENT getting support for their first child. Seriously, there are married couples out there who want a child, but their finances prevent them from having one.
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We should all be calling the Ombudsman , this may help if enough people phone through. Please, I urge you all to do this. The phone number is 1300352072 for the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
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charles
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Thank you so much! ~ Charles, Sydney, Australia
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What kind of message is being sent to children seeing a parent living on a government handout? Children follow by example, monkey see monkey do. I think it’s about time the payments are modified or society will be faced with this unending vicious cycle of handout takers who think it it is ‘ok’ to get free money. That’s definitely not the right message women should be sending, especially to their daughters, themselves, future mums. x
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Are you a single mum? Have you tried clothing, feeding and sheltering your child on just over $300 per week? Have you got a clue about how difficult it is to bring up a child on your own? How do you tell your child of 8 that you can no longer pick them up from school because you have to work every day and they have to go to after school care every day and come home exhausted every night to a grumpy, worn out parent who try as she might cannot keep up with the demands of a full time job and the demands of parenting on her own….For goodness sake, we’re not dole bludgers, just mothers who want to be there for our children. What is the choice you’re proposing? I know my child values the time I have for him and that he actually has one parent in his life he can count on. Tell me, how is that actually setting a bad example for my child? It used to be that you were a bad mother if you went out to work and sent your child into care. Now people like yourself are saying it’s the opposite. I think you need to be less judgmental and hope to God you do not find yourself in this situation one day. By the way, I have no choice in being a single parent.
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A great story by Rick from May this year, but things have changed again recently. In May, the government told single parents whose children were aged between 8 and 16 that they would continue to receive the parenting payment until their youngest child turned 16.
A few weeks ago (in early October) this decision was changed. The single parents in this group have now been told that from 1 Jan 2013 they will be placed onto Newstart allowance. A reduction in income of more than $120 per fortnight! They have been told that they should be working. What I want to know is where all of these single parents are going to find a job on 1 Jan 2013? During school holidays! After the Christmas retail spend-up! When small businesses typically close for a few weeks holiday!
This smacks of a desperate government trying to buy votes from taxpayers by targeting welfare recipients (you know, those lazy single mums). I still can’t believe that this policy has come from Labor!
Disclaimer: I’m a moderate Liberal voter (more of a Liberal Democrat really, but they are not really represented in Australian politics) who cares about people being empowered to make better lives for themselves.
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The only thing i can tell you is my story. As i got the amazing human services phone call interview telling me that just after Christmas, i will have next to no support. i am a single parent of two children, my son has aspergurs and chronic asthma. I also have three auto immune illnesses and I already follow all the centrelink rules by working the minimum amount, reporting my income, keeping all repetitive appointments etc. because i work i get very little benefits but at least it helps. I was in tears on the phone when i was told that my payment was going to go down even more. After doing the maths, We will be able to pay rent, schooling, electricty, telephone but next to no shopping with my new weekly wage. I have basically no alternative to try and source a second job to try and cover our expenses. and this calculation doesnt even include my sons psychologist and paediatrician appointments, or my endocronologist appointments, medication, treatments etc. physically i struggle each and every day and fight so hard for my kids, i have no idea how i will be able to do a second job. this year alone i have been hospitalized twice yet im not eligible for disability. Im really sick of the single mothers are just living of the government attitude that i come across almost weekly. And now to have this happen with centrelink, i have absolutely no idea how we will survive. We have even discussed moving into a caravan park or something to try an keep costs down. Anyway thats my rant and I am positive there must be a hundred other single parents in similar positions if not worse. Things are going down hill people.
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I think a lot of people don’t realise the devastating impact this change will have. Making such a massive change with such short notice is irresponsible government.
This decision was made by looking at the total $, not at the individuals. You should send a letter outlining your story to your local MP & copy to Jenny Macklin (Minister for Families, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs), Kim Carr (Minister for Human Services) & Julia Gillard. I would also send it to the opposition spokespeople – Kevin Andrews & Tony Abbott.
Even if your circumstances don’t change I think it is worth making the decision makers aware of the actual impact this decision is going to have on families.
When I heard Julia Gillard answer Adam Bandt’s question about this in parliament last week I was actually yelling at the TV! She seemed so removed from the reality of this change & had no concept of the impact it is going to have. I would really like to know where she thinks all of the affected single parents are suddenly going to find work on 1 January 2013??
I wish you all the best Caroline
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I am in the same boat with Caroline. I had that lovely phone call from centrelink before Christmas. I am a single parent whom my daughter turns 9 in February. I like Caroline work and try to make the required hours to live on to provide food and shelter. I live in a remote area with very few jobs and what employer would hire a single mum? Especially since we only have one childcare facility which only provides for 2 working days? In 2012 I found it most difficult with the rising cost of living expenses. I am sorry but it’s been hard to say to my daughter sorry we cant go to the pub for tea tonight. Sorry I cant afford a trip to by shoes for school. I dont know what is in store for 2013 but not looking for the less money we will be getting. It may be over $100 but that in my books is alot to us…it’s heartbreaking!!!!
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I have been studying for 2 yrs and am now a qualified Vet Nurse, but no one wants to employ you when they can get a younger person to fill the position. I have been doing the 15hrs a week requirement as well since 2006 as well as trying to start my own business,many businesses around me are going bankrupt and closing down because of the way things are, so where are we to get the jobs they expect us to get….And by the way my children think I am a positive person they don’t look down on me only the people with closed minds who have no clue do….
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These changes are cruel and avoidable and mostly arrive with 4 to 6 weeks’ notice. Women who have been working and entered into mortgage repayment and private rent are most afraid of forced relocation, evictions and homelessness and stand to the loose the most $. Women studying for a bright future can not continue. Newstart is so low (77%) below the poverty line that it makes it even harder to look and hold down a job as the basic tools such as internet, a car, bus ticket, child care (a greater need for a single family) and extra money for those clothes ect. Sadly this announcement arrived when we had learnt that child poverty is a persistent issue with 500,000 Australian children now have a childhood peppered with missing out. Further damage from the Newstart is the knowledge that working mums may only keep 2 hours of the minimum wage before it reduces the payment ie Newstart does not equate to entry into the workforce but it’s a gateway into hardship. Off all the areas to ‘save money’ there was no need to hit some of our poorest families. We can and must do better.
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Why do so many people assume that the ceasing of Parenting Payment Single (PPS) and the the transfer onto Newstart Allowance affects only “unemployed” single mums.
IT DOESN’T!
It affects ALL recipients of PPS, working, studying or not!
Newstart Allowance (the Dole) was introduced as a payment for a single unemployed person – NOT to support a family.
Some additional information:
- Anyone receiving PPS must apply for Newstart before 1 Jan 2013.
- Newstart allowance is $533 per fortnight.
- Newstart recipients can only earn $62 per fortnight before earnings are reduced by 40c in the dollar.
- Earning over the maximum amount of $1,394.50 per fortnight will mean that some women will no longer have access to the Pensioner Concession Card.
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It’s about time.
The world does not owe anyone a living. Single parents should have to get of their backsides and work.
I’m a single father and I’ve always managed to raise the kids, work and have never been on the sole parent’s pension. I simply couldn’t handle going to centrelink.
By the time the youngest kid is 8 is a reasonable time to get all single parents back into the workforce, and there’s no excuse not to have or be actively looking for a job.
Everyone has a responsibility to contribute to the good of the community, and sitting on your arse at home doesn’t contribute a damn thing.
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I’m a single parent on the parenting payment, and I am mystified as to what people do all day on it, for a start, and how they manage to live week to week on the amount received.
For little kids, I don’t really have that much trouble with people being at home, as childcare is pretty hard to get for little ones. I’ve pushed and pushed and then booked fortnight to fortnight to get my daughter into daycare so I can go to uni. I’m planning to graduate and start teaching when she starts school. I know of a number of single Mums in my year alone at uni working towards their degrees.
So while I agree that people should be looking to working, not all single Mums are sitting at home smoking and feeding our kids Maccas while deciding when to get knocked up again.
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Sorry guys but get a life, the people who cant be bothered going to work everyday breed children who can’t be bothered going to work everyday and this is why this country is in trouble. You get a healthcare card, cheaper rego, cheaper day care (not sure why!) and freakin rent assistance try living in the real world and paying full price. I should be rewarded for actually working and not expecting the government to pay for me to sleep in and watch tv.
I have a 2yo I work 60hours a week and he has everything WHY? Coz I get off the couch and work! Get your self together and stop living off my taxes, stop crying about how hard life is and get a job..
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aaggghhh…working 60 hours a week- have to imagine that someone else is raising that 2 year old
(material things aren’t everything)
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Sorry guys but get a life, people who cant be bothered going to work everyday breed children who can’t be bothered going to work everyday and this is why this country is in trouble. You get a healthcare card, cheaper rego, cheaper day care (not sure why!) and freakin rent assistance try living in the real world and paying full price. I should be rewarded for actually working and not expecting the government to pay for me to sleep in and watch tv.
I have a 2yo I work 60hours a week and he has everything WHY? Coz I get off the couch and work! Get your self together and stop living off my taxes, stop crying about how hard life is and get a job..
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Most single parent’s find themselves alone with children not by choice but by life. Getting rid of the parenting payment is one of the biggest mistakes this current government can do. Australia fought hard to get the parenting payment through and now tossing it away its sickens me. I see a lot of kids go to school now with tattered uniforms and are hungry with little to no food in the house, imagine what its going to happen when the pension is totally gone? My pension pays for my rent, and what I do get in family allowance that pays bills and groceries. I am on the pathway plan bought in my the Liberal Government bough in so I work part time and study, the past 2 years I have been trying to find more work but being over 35 no one employer seems to be nibbling. There is more obvious choices in cut backs then doing this. Single parents are on the lowest of the peaking order now… The problem is that it was the baby bonus that was giving out $5000 for a baby and the pension was for sole parents not ones with partners now that bites. I never got that. I saw on the news recently that Ms Gillard is giving away billions to other countries… I mean its like that song “what about me?” provide for the people in this country first please. At least up the age to 13 that way the child can look after themselves more.
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I don’t have a lot of sympathy for people who become single parents by choice, or by having sex outside marriage. What is unjust is a family law that allows one spouse to force the other into single parenthood, against her wishes and on no grounds at all, without penalty or the obligation of compensation. If you sign up to be a two parent family, and forsake all others, you should be able to BE in a two parent family. To eliminate marriage and then condemn the victims of the Family Law Act to poverty is unreasonable.
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It’s no more unfair than a system that allows one party (usually a woman) to leave a marriage, take the kids and then demand payment from the ex while denying access to the kids. Further, if you aren’t working then you have to be responsible for your own choices.
That’s just the way it is.
You can’t have it both ways.
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I am a single mother of one. I have been working since my child was 18 months. I also have studied at Tafe and received a diploma. I receive next to nothing in maintenance and work full time. I am currently employed in a low-paying job because, of a learning disability .The government cuts to the pension mean that I will be struggling. Thanks to the greens I will have to pay more for petrol and electricity and thanks to Liberal party, I have to pay more for groceries and thanks to labour I will have nothing to pay anybody with.
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I know the feeling I am a single parent for one. I am on the path way plan set up a few years back and have been working part time the past 2 years and studying BUT because I live in Qld and with the layoffs and the fact I am over 35 it isn’t easy to do. I am trying to find more work but it seems impossible.
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I am a single mum and have been one for over 5 years, my daughter turns 8 in 2 years time. I have known all along that I have to go back to work, Why is it that the single mums have not been planning for this day? I study full time and love the fact that once I finish I will have a career and a well paid job, I will be able to support my daughter and plan for another goal, which is to buy my own home. I love being a single mother, I get support from my family and yes I’m on parenting payments now-however, i will be contributing back into the tax system once I complete my Masters. That’s what welfare is all about, not reliance but a safety net. I think the government has been very generous to single parents and I am grateful for their support. You can not expect payments until your child turns 16!! I cannot image being on benefits for that long.
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Its not a matter of being on payments that long its about being able to be on payments until your child is able to fend for themselves. Its about help brining children up and they are in school until at least 16. Im so sick of the i did i am BS. I work long hours and weekends i have missed 8 yrs of xmas because i have had to work. Its called parenting payment!!!!! Money to help those in need to raise children, not the slander of those who have no idea what its like to be left with small children and do it all alone.
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I completely agree. I have been working since before my child turned one, and due to circumstances out of my control, became a single parent not long after. Receiving the pension to supplement my work earnings means I can give my child a social life. He has struggled making close friends at school and it broke my heart evry time he came home from school and said he played by himself at lunch etc. Working during school hours (15h/wk) means I can pick him up and take him to team sports with his school mates after school, not only keeping him fit and healthy, but also increasing his socialising tenfold! I knw the day was coming that I would no longer recieve the parenting payment, but I was expecting to at least be able to wait until my son was able to get himself home from school and stay home alone until my arrival – perhaps high school at least?
The timing is also terrible – 100,000+ single parents looking for work to begin in January? School holidays? So not only do we need to find the job, but find child care for the entire 5 weeks of holidays?
The kids are the ones who will miss out. No after school activites, limited time with their parent due to work commitments, unhealthy options for dinner due to lack of time or energy to prepare healthy meals.
Not the choice I’m sure the majority of single parents out there were thinking about when they got pregnant – probably to a husband – and certainly not where I saw my life going when I was little!!
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Planning Ahead,
You are a true role model.
You’re absolutely right about contributing. I’m quite happy, as a decent and compassionate human being, to help people out when they need to be helped. But with that comes responsibilities, and single parents who plan to do nothing other than stay on the pension really piss me off.
All people on the single parent’s pension should be training for the day that they have to work. It’s not good enough to complain about “losing” money, when it’s not yours in the first place!
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I have worked the majority of the time I’ve been a single mum, which is 10 years. My son is 10 and I get discounted child care, but what is the point if I can’t find a job. I registered with 2 employment agencies yesterday and I’m going to one today. I’ve applied for about 20 jobs since I quit my job as a telemarketer last week because after 8 mths I couldn’t do it anymore, I hated it I am desperately trying to get a job, I had to get a car loan a few mths ago because my 97 Daewoo kept breaking down and I would have to spend 3 hrs on the train every day to get to and from work where it took 1.5 hrs a day to drive. So now I’m worried if I cant find a job by Jan, I might lose my car cause I can’t pay for it. It’s either that or stop eating or stop paying rent. I can’t afford all 3 plus my bills and school fees on $550 a week
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I have been on parenting payment since 2002 and prior to 2006 I was supposed to get it until my youngest turned 16. but now in a few mths, I will go from parenting payment to newstart allowance and lose $130 a fortnight. those who were on parenting payment after 2006 knew that when their youngest turned 8 they’d go on newstart so had 8 years to prepare, I’ve only got a few mths. I work most the time but are currently unemployed and looking for work. if you take that $130 off me, and I can’t find work for awhile, I’m going to really struggle. I’m worried what will happen when Jan comes around, I hope I’ve found work by then but the job market is so tough at the moment
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I’m a single parent forced to leave my husband because of severe domestic violence. Since my son turned 6 have been told I have to work and I work 48hrs a fortnight and I study, the single parent pension supplements my low wage. Going onto newstart next year ill loose 140 a fortnight, thats my food bill, the kids and I wil starve??? Government kicking the already the lowest in society.
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Iam a single mum of 5 and before you nastys decide to say anything yes they all have the same father!! I work only because i need to in order to support my children (their father does not pay child support) so no extra income there. I have no family around and it costs over $1000.00 per week in childcare my income is a grand $700.00 per week. I don’t have the option of getting to spend quality time with my kids because when my youngest turned 6 i was told i had to return to work or loose my centerlink payments. we struggle to make ends meet yet the goverment is going to make it worse I really pity all you goody two shoes out there who critisize us aussies trying to rasie our children due to unforseen relationship issues and would rather spend there tax paying $$$$ on supporting boat people who get 3 plus times the amount of income support we do.
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I feel sympathy for your plight, but be honest, your childcare is rebated to the maximum amount it can be. I was also a single parent years ago and the rebates weren’t as generous at first, but not long before I started back at work, the childcare fees dropped significantly, when the new rebates came in.
I also take issue with your comments on boat people. Having worked with a number of refugees over the years, I’ve seen what they get from the govt (centre link) and it is exactly the same as everyone else. Please do not believe those nasty emails that circulate from time to time.
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@Fabian I disagree. These people are given a home as well as centrelink payments but other necesseities ie television, beds etc. I have an issue when we have Australians already living in the country minus accommodation and these people come to this country and get the house. A nice comfortable house.
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Lisa I fully agree with you there, in my neighbourhood there are quite a few ‘refugee’ families. Almost all of them are driving $40,000 cars around, they have brand new furniture, they get given the brand new Housing Commission houses and are always sporting the latest gadgets,wearing the latest fashions and weraing gold jewelry. Most have only been in this country a few years. Now tell me they get the same payments as the rest of us single parents.
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I have seen them too. Its called ‘cash money’. You will find them at the local recycle tip or garage sales buying up big to resell for profit and not declare it to centerlink.
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I agree…..why must we suffer because my ex husband won’t pay child support either and I have worked full time since I was 16 and continued part time work since my two children started school. How is it my fault I have been retrenched twice in two years because companies prefer young single people to fill in positions or due to downsizing. My children have now both started high school – so no after school care there anymore! but they are too young to be home by themselves. I have no family here and I am surrounded by retirees – where my tax pays for their old age pension. Now I am being targeted because I am still young and worked hard to buy my house (with a mortgage) paying huge land rates etc. Guess I could sell and we could all share a small 2 bedroom unit further away from school and friends which in turn my children suffer the most. I have never bludged and always worked but now I wish I would have stayed with my abusive partner!!!!!
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Im also a single mum of 5 who had been in a violent marriage,so after 13yrs of it had enough am now divorced,wow.sheere your amazing it must be really hard for you to juggle all that,my youngest is now 9 and I’m told I have to go on to new start if my dissability claim is rejected,which will probably be the case,I suffer with migraines constant Utis,diabetes and more I am so not able to work,who will keep me on at job when I would definitely be missing work to many days,can’t survive now on parenting payment on new start I’ll probably be homeless.
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I have diabetes(insulin dependent) and work in night-fill as a mum earning $315- 500 a week. This works really well for me.
Please don’t use diabetes as an excuse not to work. It does restrict jobs, but there are still some that suit it.
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Wow there seems to be a lot of hate towards single parents here.
Being a former single parent I can tell you right now it is hard on just the small amount they get already, jobs that fit in with school hours to avoid child care costs which eat up a pay packet are pretty much non existent, because even the supermarket chains want you to work after 3pm or a weekend shift and for a single mum that is not possible, take into consideration those who don’t have family around them to help with the childminding, working a weekend or a late night shift is almost impossible. I know many single mums most of them want to work but can’t get a job because they don’t fit in with school hours even office jobs want you to work until 5pm and for some mums this isn’t an option because not all schools offer after school care or their kids school isn’t near a child care facitility or pcyc.
The charity organisations are going to be hit hard because of this move unless the government tells employers they must provide 100000 school hour friendly positions to help the parents effected but that won’t happen because the government can’t force employers to hire single mums in school hours only encourage them which I am yet to hear them do.
So we will be destined to see a rise of homeless single mothers and their children because they can’t afford to pay the bills!
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I have been working for over the past year since my daughter was 2. It’s great to be independent and get back some self-confidence again.
During the past year I have worked covering mainly lunch breaks in a shop. This would be perfect for a single mum with school-aged kids!
As I am going independent and starting my ”own business” this week, then there is a job available for those who are single with school kids out there…
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Suzie do you have over 100,000 jobs available?
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if suzie can find part time work or start her own business why cant those other sinlge non working mothers do it??
i have 3 under 3 my eldest is about to turn 4 and guess what?? they are all in full time daycare and i work fulltime,and study part time!!
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Yep, I study full time and am looking for part-time work that fits in with day care, and my daughter is 18 months. I could think of nothing worse that living on the parenting payment for any longer than I need to (ie get my degree and start teaching).
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No one understands the plight of the single parent more than me, and I don’t feel any malice towards them. However, I wish single parents would look at this as an incentive to break a cycle of dependency. Look at the bigger picture – seek ways to not be reliant on Centrelink, and seek ways to make your own income on your own terms while your kiddies are young.
The cut-off age is an opportunity to self-audit and take action to becoming financially self-reliant and independent. Reliance on welfare does create problems in the longer term. If not for yourself, do it for your children. I am their future voice…
My mum raised me on her own and was always thinking short term – one week to the next. When my parents split, she relied on child support along with cleaning jobs, when that stopped from my father (unreliable) she relied on Centrelink payments. I am now in my early 30s and even though I have broken a cycle of young parenthood and non-education and am independent, my mum has lived with me for over five years while looking for work (with the exception of one contract she managed to fulfil). She never managed to get off the merry-go-round after years of relying on others for financial means.
If you cannot find work because the job market is currently poor, consider part time or online university courses to become qualified. If your youngest is eight, in nine or ten short years parenthood as your major function ends and they’ll be off to uni and moving out. Have a plan for your life. It will also assist with your self-esteem.
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Also, it’s not as if it’s a surprise. You know it’s coming, use the help that’s on offer to start getting trained up.
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Anon; why cant you see the bigger picture? The job market is poor from 10-2.30pm in school term times for 8years and will be poor as the government has done nothing to create these jobs.
I think you perceive those on the sole parent pension as dole ‘bludges’ however they are raising 1 or more kids unlike the ‘dole bludger’.
it take alot of work raising a child consider just the hours doing dishes 10-15/week let alone buying food, cooking and cleaning home and clothes. only 2hands
As a sole parent and 1child sharing a house with someone receiving the dole a $300/week home- i would owe $200 and the folk on the dole $100. Fair?
my self esteem is fine I am just so busy nurturing my child that I dont get time to think about my own needs- but sure I’ll find time in the time-vortex to do someone else’s work!
We have already been homeless 4&1/2 years and are considering it again as things are so tight paying over 1/2 income on rent $255/wk from $500 doesnt leave much.
Should these two groups be lumped into the same category?
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About time, now my ex will need to work like the rest of us instead of pumping out kids for an income. We have a gereration of people expecting handouts and us Tax payer can not afford to keep paying it.Take responsibility and provide for your children instead of expecting everyone else too.
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Dear mr Welfare funder,
I certainly hope for your sake that you are never in a serious accident, that your life is not turned upside down unexpectantly or that your job or business never comes to an abrupt end – because if you had it your way, there wouldnever be a safety net. I did not pump out kids to increase my income, i didnt ask my ex to leave me abandoned and I have taken steps to be financially independant – I ran my own business – worked insane hours until I dropped on the floor – I have now had to move to a cheaper area away from any support network to survive – I want to work – but who isgoing to take care of my 12 year old who is too old for day care? Please take a good look at peoples indivivual situation and stop making assumptions. We are lucky to have a safety net.
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Please consider your extended family as support. Family should support family not the tax payers.
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And if a single parent has no extended family (like me)?
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Ok Mr Welfare Funder I have a question. Do you pay your child support in full and on time??? Single mums are owed over one Billion dollars in child support in this country. Maybe if the Child Support Agency actually forced them to pay their child support, single mums would not have to rely on the Government so much. Let’s be fair and instead of kicking all the single moms while their down, let’s draw some attention to the fathers’. How many men father these kids and then take off, or are abusive and the women are left with no option but to leave.
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Actually I think that it’s not even that the Government is putting people on the Newstart to me its the fact that they are reducing the amount of money that people are able to earn on that it’s a huge drop of $500 a fornight. Many people will now find themselves over committed financially especially if they have debts such as car and house and thats without the day to day cost of living that are going up all the time. I for one am extremely worried I am already stretching myself to the limits. I work 50 hours a fortnight and I actually don’t want my children to be latch key kids I like to try and be home for them as much as possible. I believe that years is ridiculous they are still babies really..but I think that a 12 year old or a 15 year old still need parents to be present especially at the end of a school day. Yeh they can take care of themselves to a degree but still need a parent around.
I also think that yet again the job of parenting and keeping a home is being undervalued.
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I am a working sinlge mum doing 50 hours a fortnight I have a mortgage and 3 children over ten years. think that it is just wrong not only are they making the payments less on the new newstart system, they are also lowering the amount that you can earn before you are affected so instead in the new system on newstart a single parent will only be able to earn up to $927 a fortnight which is 500 less a fortnight and over the $927 you will also no longer be eligable for the fringe benefits rebates on things like electricity car registration land rates etc…I have been a labor Government supporter for years but they have definately lost my vote. These new polices are are lose lose situation for single parents out there Everything is going up and support or single parents are going down, good on you labor.
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No the new taper rates come into effect so you will be able to earn 1350 per fortnight before you lose payments still a big reduction tho!
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No you can earn up to 1300 per fortnight before it was 1600 as the new taper rates come into effect. still a big drop in income for a single parent though.
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Im a single mum who has a 7 yr old and has been told i will go on newstart when he is 8… I already work 20 hrs a week and rely on a reduced parenting payment to make ends meet…i dont claim rent assistance or child care rebates but will now be $160 a week out of pocket……i also only receive $24 childsupport….i just needed a hand not a hand out til my child is a little older and full time work is available in my line of work which will be sooner than later…. sad a government is attacking and punishing the most vulnerable of citizens- sole parents. Its also disgusting that it isnt all single parents , many are staying on the higher rate of payment ( single parenting payment) while others like myself are made to take a much lower rate of payment (newstart)…discrimination at best- abuse at worse by our own government
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I think this is a hard decision for single parent I tries to enter the workforce it hard for me to got a job
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when children reach a school age all parents should work and get off bennifts even if part time to many single parents expect to be kept. im a single parent myself and work 30 hrs
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I am a single mother and I can’t get job agencies to help me because my youngest child is well under 8 years old but I don’t want to be on a pension
. I didn’t work when I was with my ex because he earned enough to keep us and I honestly never thought we would break up I made him the center of my world and gave him everything he wanted. I feel like I am being punished for not seeing my ex for what he was. I can’t afford a course so I can get qualifications to work and no one will employ me I even put in an application at KFC. This subject is irrelevant because even if you want to work as a single mother you can’t get work or at least I can’t. If you live in Tasmania and you have a bit of mercy on an under skilled single mum and are willing to train her email me.
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As a former educator, I think it is great. I understand how that sounds, but I had a number of students wanting that as a career because that is what there mothers did and got a check from the government. Yes, some people have children just to get a check from the government. We have been teaching “learned helplessness” and laziness instead of responsibility. They don’t help their children in any way, shape, or form. In these instances that is what is necessary. When this country was formed you didn’t have kids you couldn’t take care of…no excuses. Those who have lost their wife/husband are really who this was meant for and it is sad that it will be taken away from them. People abusing privileges forces them to be taken away.
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anon: laziness i been working my guts out the last 10years raising a child- not been lazy.
the amount of people abusing the payment is very low- do you really think people have the dependancy of a child to get money? you dont get much an hour in this job- oh yeah and no support or recognition!
there were already adequate measures to force this group into employment without this ill-thought budget SAVING???
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anon: laziness i been working my guts out the last 10years raising a child- not been lazy.
The amount of people abusing the payment is very low- do you really think people have the dependency of a child to get money? you dont get much an hour in this job- oh yeah and no support or recognition!
WHAT ABOUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ABSENT PARENT??
WE ARE THE ONES DOING THE ADULT WORK FOR TWO- GO PERSECUTE THE X-PARTNERS
There were already adequate measures to force this group into employment without this ill-thought budget SAVING???
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As a former educator – please spell properly – cheque – not check
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How can a sole parent look after a child and try to find work as well.
A single parent is a full time job in it self.
Who will drop off your child to school who will pick them up?
What job will pay you to have time off when the kids are on holidays?
Who will employ you between 9.am and 3 pm?
Then there is cooking washing all the household duties and making a home with little or no supportUnbelievable !!!
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I’m a single mum with a 3 year old and work general between 11.00-15.30 in a shop to cover people’s lunch breaks. But you can have my job as I am now starting my own business and I have to cut back my working hours so I can have the freedom of running my own business instead!
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Susie I need your job!!
Whereabouts is it located??
I too am having trouble finding work
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