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Recent Comments

1. Perhaps a voluntary income management service where people who know they have difficulties can opt in.
   However, I firmly believe that all those children under 18 who receive centrelink payments and are considered independent should have compulsory income management. Add into that some compulsory classes on budgeting and financial knowledge.

   Posted By: Michele, Launceston, Tasmania

2. As a Vincentian I believe that respecting the rights of people is paramount in the way we assist them.
   However, I have also seen too many situations where alcohol and drugs are the priority and family responsibilities is not a great consideration.
   Children suffer a consequence and our charity does not alleviate the problem.
   Teaching life skills is the real answer not heavy handed government interference but this of course requires that the those in need of help are willing to be trained and that there enough people to provide the training (sadly both are lacking).
   

   Posted By: Paul Worthington Rockhampton

3. One principle I had learned was that “hard cases make bad laws”. A law that unnecessarily affects a whole population simply to control the failures of a few, fuels disregard for law. I don’t know whether the statistics of misdirected welfare money are so great as to require this income management.
   Michele and Paul do make relevant points about the need for education as a solution. I would not like to be subject to the decision of a random Centrelink officer about my ability to spend my money.
   My experience is that a wide range of decisions can get made about the same case, depending on the skill and attitude of the officer. Hence St Vinnies is right to say this law strips recipients of some dignity. Stories from the Northern Territory experience would even lead us to query its effectiveness.

   Posted By: Boutros Neru, Eden NSW

4. If compulsory income management means that food coupons or rental vouchers are given in lieu of cash where it is spent on alcohol, drugs or gambling, quite frankly I'm all for it.
   Far too many cases have been uncovered where kids go unfeed as the money is wasted on such vices.
   Go visit pubs, clubs etc on Welfare payment days and notice the increase in patronage. Go and visit rural towns and notice intoxicated people in the streets on those days. This goes mostly unreported in the General media.

   Posted By: David from Engadine

5. While most welfare recipients are responsible people, it is incontestable that some aren't. So where children are involved, sometimes drastic measures - call it tough love if you like - are needed to ensure they are fed, educated and have a roof over their heads.
   Income management, unpleasant and undignified though it undoubtedly is, might be the only way we can ensure a modicum of protection for children who would otherwise be left to the less than tender mercies of uncaring parents - or parents who struggle with addictions - addictions they may be motivated to resist if given a strong incentive.

   Posted By: Robert Leach Doonan Queensland

6. Does Vinnies have a statement about income management from the time when it applied only to Indigenous people in the NT?
   Re the sleep-out, apart from the consciousness-raising, where will the money go? Could it be topped off with a cancellation of airfares and hotel accomodation allocated to Vinnie's staff off to an international conference soon?

   Posted By: Greg Crowe from Alice Springs

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