It's such a shame that centrelink has such a a prevailing stigma. I partially blame 'quality' media outlets for inflammatory and provocative reporting.
The point of centrelink is to compensate for the inequalities in our society that are difficult at this point in time to remedy. Inequalities that exist are poverty brought about by free-market failures, cultural and racial prejudice, gender prejudice, for example.
Centrelink is a collaboration of taxpayers money (not just existing tax-payers, this applies to past and future tax-payers) whose purpose is to act in the spirit of charity, compassion, and duty of care to all citizens so that we all have a 'fair go'.
It should never be seen as a life-time provision nor as an absolute entitlement. It is based on the principle of us helping out one another. Recipients of Centrelink payments should know or be aware that somewhere down the track they need to , or should at least, repay society. This doesn't have to be in the form of money.
It is a shame that there are a very, very small minority that exploit this arrangement and sully the good faith in which Centrelink is supposed to operate under. Most people receive benefits temporarily and for most part do not take advantage of the system, though at the time it is easy for some to take it for granted. I wish this was stressed more to the general public rather than have Today Tonight perpetuate denigrating labels such as 'dole-bludger'.
I've been on Newstart on and off and I have been a recipient of Austudy for quiet some time. I have worked prior to these provisions and I intend to work again after my study has concluded. With my study comes an increase in qualifications which will better my chances for getting a higher paid job (and hopefully one that I want to do and enjoy). An increase in income will also mean an increase in the taxable income tax bracket - which means I'll be paying more taxes. More taxes means more money into Centrelink
The difficulty with Centrelink is that people often look at who is getting what and why so. I'm sure that if you've been working 10 hour shifts a day for a paltry income and then see someone receive a marginally lower sum of money for doing nothing but study, you'd feel slightly put out.
I fully understand and appreciate the difficulty in trying to balance Centrelink provisions with income disparities between jobs of varying skill. It's all too easy to forget why we have Centrelink when all we see is money being handed out to someone else while you sacrifice your time and leisure to earn your way through life.
