Welcome to 4BC. Skip directly to: Search Box, Section Navigation, Content.

4BC - Fairfax Radio Network

Friday March 12, 2010

What we're talking about

  • Shez on Flying Foxes and little girls I wouldn't wish bad on anyone, but maybe if one of these judges that give out these so called punishments are victims of a ... more
  • Shez on Halal certification Halal in the Bible... FROM THE BIBLE: Deuteronomy 14:3-10. Do not eat any detestable thing. These are the animals you may ... more
  • David T on Tony Abbott does a Turnbull Tony, we need a strong opposition not a fickle oppostion. Please don't give the government any more ammunition as this will ... more
  • Albert on Flying Foxes and little girls These laws prove once again that the environmental movement is not about taking action to protect human life and future ... more
  • angry on ETS Police SUBJECT: 'Execute' Skeptics! Shock Call To Action: 'At what point do we jail or execute global warming deniers' -- ... more
  • unimpressed on Flying Foxes and little girls Fetalaiga's 18 month ban from driving just shows the level of stupidity of both the law makers and the magistrates that ... more
  • Lynne on Flying Foxes and little girls The only thing in Queensland that is better protected than these disease riddled flying vermin are bureaucrats. When are ... more
  • LEONARD on Separation of Powers The Doctrine of the Separation of Powers has become simply a joke. It purpose is to separate the Legislature, the Executive ... more
  • Anne Scott on Halal certification You are missing the point, Shez. We, Australian taxpayers, begrudge paying Mr El-Mouelhy a levy on products he has managed ... more
  • Wobblyone on Halal certification Hey Angry... Shez is either Muslim or one of the idiot do-gooders that can't tell which way its bum is pointed. And Shez... ... more
  • Shez on Halal certification G'day angry. How are you today? Yes I am Australian, and bloody proud of it. I'm off to have some Cadbury's Dairy Milk. If ... more
  • Shez on Halal certification You are refusing to buy Bega cheese for what reason?! As I said earlier, Bananas are Halal. As are apples, and most food ... more
  • angry on Halal certification Obviously, this "Shez" has no concept of the problem in the UK caused by these muslims! Clearly, YOU, have no care or ... more
  • Wobblyone on Halal certification Everybody should try requiring the cashier to check all your items for Halel Certification. And then refuse them. or, If ... more
  • Ian Daft on Racists in our midst It get to me, evey time a knock on the door it has to be a Indian what is going on with australia more
  • Liberator on Racists in our midst No, Smithy. I don't want an apology. If that's how the sanctimonious pseudo "anti-racist" media and Indian Community are ... more
  • Shez on Halal certification You guys really crack me up. Carry on with the ignorance, It's making me laugh! Boycott vegemite! More for me! more
  • unimpressed on Racists in our midst After years of being abused when I have refused to buy yet another bloody mobile phone from an Indian caller and after ... more
  • Justin on Tony Abbott does a Turnbull Is anyone else getting sick of public policy being determined by Tony Abbott's daughters? Just when you thought there might ... more
  • Carole on Racists in our midst Every time an Indian (Unusally a taxi driver)is responsible for a rape or a manslaughter on an Australian -it's barely ... more

The Welfare State

Posted by: Michael Smith | 27 May, 2009 - 12:01 PM
steven dearnley

I’m indebted to the Sunshine Coast Daily for this - http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2009/may/27/1685-fortnight-not-enough/

Steven Dearnley owns a house, has not worked a day in 10 years and, combined with his partner, gets $1685 a fortnight from Centrelink in disability support pensions and family assistance.

But it’s not enough. He’s bleating.

"Centrelink call the money ‘income support’, which means that it’s just an income supplement," Mr Dearnley said.

"We’re living below the poverty line and there’s no way we can go to work. We’re too sick."

He’s on a disability pension, as is his partner Sam Dyson. Sam’s two children, 16 and 12 live with them. And now Steve and Sam are expecting their first child.

And Steve reckons the government should give him more money. He’s complaining.

He was asked if the pregnancy was planned and if he’d thought through the financial consequences. He said they had, but they 'hadn’t realised the financial repercussions.'

"We’re so in love, having a child was always on the agenda."

We’ll get the $5000 baby bonus, but that’s paid over 13 weeks and not in one sum, which makes it difficult. Then, when the baby is born, we’ll only get an extra $85 a fortnight, which won’t be enough to look after it," he said.

"Making ends meet with our mortgage, food, bills and school expenses is already a struggle, so having an extra mouth to feed will be tough."

And again I’m indebted to the Sunshine Coast Daily for reporting the facts here.

To save money on food, the couple had in the past received care packages from charities, but Mr Dearnley said 'the food was not of an acceptable standard', so they now buy all their groceries. Welcome to the world.

In addition to his pension, Mr Dearnley gets a rates discount from the council.

Mr Dearnley, Ms Dyson and her children all hold health care cards, entitling them to discounted or free doctor’s appointments and heavily subsidised prescriptions.

The card also allows all four family members to buy return train tickets to Cairns for a total cost of $100 amongst other benefits.

When the couple’s baby is born their family tax benefit will also increase by more than $1000, from $2675.45 to $3693.80.

"My whole point is that these pensions are classed as income support, so how are we supposed to live off them. It’s not enough," Mr Dearnley said.

"There needs to be more financial assistance for people like us who are unable to work."

$1,685 per fortnight is $43,810 per annum. Tax-free plus all the other benefits! You’d have to be on at least $55,000 as a worker to get that - and no discount cards!

What do you reckon? Is $1,685 a fortnight taken from taxpayers and handed to Steve and family enough?

Blog comments Your Say

  • Steven Dearnley here.
    My baby is 6 months old,now I can address an issue in the papers and radio about my family.
    I DID NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT MY FAMILIY'S INCOME SUPPLIED BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND THE FATHER OF MY STEP CHILDERN TO MARY LOUISE BROWN OF THE SUNSHINE COAST DAILY.
    THIS WAS A FABRICATION ON HER BEHALF AND HER EDITORS' I WAS ATTACKING THEM ON THEIR INCOMPETENCE OF REPORTING THE FACTS ON THE TRAVESTON DAM, THE BRUCE HWYS UNNESSASARY DIVERSION, AND THE LIES THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED ABOUT NOT MUCH COMMUNITY DESENT ON THESE ISSUES.
    ALSO THEIR BERATEMENT OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ON WELFARE AND THE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CHILDEREN'S WELL BEING, WHEN PREVIOSLY STATED IN THE PAPER,AN INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATION COMDEMED AUSTRALIA AND IT'S GOVERNMENTS TREATMENT OF DISADVANTAGED WELFARE RECIPIENTS.
    THE WORST IN THE WESTERN WORLD KEEPING THEM WELL BELOW THE POVERTY LINE! AND WE TALK ABOUT MANAGING INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S INCOME
    (AND REMOVING THEIR CHILDREN!SHAME!)
    WHILE THEY ARE FORCED TO LIVE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN $60 and $90 PER WEEK BELOW THE POVERTY LINE. THE CENTRELINK STAFF INFORMED ME,PENSIONS,INCLUDING INDIGENOUS PAYMENTS ARE AN "INCOME SUPPORT AND THAT IT IS ENOUGH TO PAY YOUR RENT AND BILLS, YOU WOULD HAVE TO APPROACH CHARITY GROUPS FOR FOOD ETC", AS THE FAMILY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO LIVE OTHERWISE.
    THE PENSION IS A "SUPPORT TO YOUR OTHER INCOME"(TO WHICH THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED HAVE NO ACCESS). WHEN ASKED WHY ALL RECEPIENTS WERE NOT TOLD THIS, I WAS TOLD
    "THERE WOULD BE RIOTS!!
    "SHALL WE CONTINUE THE APATHY?
    Those people who don't know my situation,and have decided to attack myself and family, may your god or conscience help you find the compassion for others.And reporters check ya facts!

    Steven Dearnley Tuesday 26 January, 2010 - 1:56 PM

  • Anna Campbell -29.06.09 - The
    more I read this article, the angrier I become; and I call to arms my practice of expectorating on Politicians (which I know offends some readers of these Blogs) I have now come to realize that I should expand its scope to include quite a few bleeding hearts and watermelons out there.
    With a contemptuous smirk on his face, Dearnley, his defacto and their teenage boys, neither of whom appear to find any necessity to gain suitable employment. cannot cope with his measly $1,685 Centrelink (Taxpayer) funded allowance. How my wife coped those 30 years ago I will never know, she was the rock on which our home was built. Private school with some remissions, then off to University for both our kids, one to Rockhampton the other to Q.U. Gatton, both gaining their degrees; Because my wife worked, my D.S.A. was about $30.00 per week, it went into the "kitty" to help. There were no luxuries, so Anna, Parasites, Losers, Scum...yes all of the above. me ignorant and pathetic, I've experienced real life; and you Anna, what about you.
    To me and others our here in Blogland I feel that categorization into "all of the above" will fit your bill. But then no, I'd like to add you and your green
    skinned B.H. mob into the world I reserve for the Political swill of this State. You see Anna I'm not offended by the original article in the Sunshine Coast
    Daily, ergo for you expectoration is in order!!!

    Phil - Springwood Friday 3 July, 2009 - 10:01 AM

  • Anna Campbell - 27th. June. 09
    I was the person who used the word scum; See Anna, I am on Disability Support, I have told my story before, fit 26 year old, woke with stiff fingers, diagnosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis. I didn't apply for the Pension till I was 33years old, see Anna I had some pride and was ashamed to do so. A friend took me fishing one day and we came across a fellah from Beenleigh, my age, had a sixteen foot Abalone, and if I recall a Carpenter. He was receiving the full Disability Support Pension, it paid for everything, he had the kids, the QHC House at Eagleby, his lot was good. He also did a bit of cash work on the side. His medical condition which allowed him to receive this Government Handout "a sore back". Here was a man who managed to launch his boat, take it down the Pin, put up a camp (tent) fend for himself do some crabbing. After talking to him, I lost that sense of pride went home and the next day, I got the pension. The only question asked (Why have you taken so long to apply?" After 35 years, still with R.A., operations on both my hands, both feet, knees, one hip and a shoulder pending, I would still rather have a job and some pride. The man I met down the Pin was bludging scum, and I Madam have every right to call him so!!!!!I have no doubt that your heart bleeds for the likes of the Dearnleys, the Dysons and my friend from 30 years ago, and have an affinity with trees also. Bet my man still has a boat. Funny that I haven't been for 20 years.

    Phil - Springwood Thursday 2 July, 2009 - 12:37 PM

  • This story has the Stench of "Beat-Up" all over it. Anne-Louise Brown, the Journo who wrote the peice, must have been having a slow week or a case of writers block, needed something quick smart that would "provoke lively discussion and debate* So Anne-Louise went and found her provoking subject: A complaining Disabled Pensioner named Steven Dearnly who's picture the paper have on file from a prior article BTW. (Nothing Like Convenience)Headline: **$1685 a fortnight 'not enough'** The Headline and Bait snared exactly the type of reader Ms Brown seemed to be looking for. The generalisations started after about 5 comments. According to Ms Browns readers Disabled People unable to work are "Parasites", "Losers","Scum" just to list a few choice names they used when generalising. Ignorant and Pathetic comes to mind when I think of people who have to put down the disabled to feel better. The 1 story ended up turning 2 more so Ms Brown Got plently of mileage out of Mr Dearnly. I hope she enjoyed herself because all she has done is helped perpetuate this Ignorant percerption that Disabled people in Receipt of a Pension are Lazy Faking Scam Artists. It would have better not to write it at all.

    Anna Campbell Saturday 27 June, 2009 - 11:47 AM

  • Steven Dearnley and Sam Dyson, you are such an ungrateful pair. You are setting a dreadful example for your children.

    You are supposedly both so ill and can not possibly work but you go ahead and bring another child into the world even though you can't support the ones you already have. You seem to be taking it for granted that others will work and pay tax to finance the things that you want out of life.

    You have received food parcels from struggling charities but deemed the food unsuitable and unsatisfactory to your taste so then went and bought your own. You ungrateful pair of jerks.

    Perhaps, you could put some time into helping some of these charities and put something back into the community that supports you instead of complaining and wanting more for nothing. You would also get the chance of meeting many people who get by with a lot less than you do and are very thankful for it.

    Oh by the way, tomorrow 30th May is National Thanksgiving Day so Steven and Sam, take the opportunity to count your blessings.

    Dawn

    Dawn Beattie Friday 29 May, 2009 - 11:13 PM

  • Unfortunately I have to deal with these welfare bandits everyday as part of 'The Job', Although it always intrigues me as to what is being classified as a disability these days... One oxygen thief told me that he has been on the disability pension for 3 years, as he has ADD... How are people getting away with this? These are the people destroying the system for the genuine recipients, and breeding the welfare children of tomorrow. The payments are aptly described as income supplements because these are the types of people who use it to supplement their criminal income / activities...
    It's amazing to think that there are a large number of severely disabled people, eg downs syndrome, who struggle and participate in paid special workshops just to earn small dollars and more importantly feel like a normal contributing member of society...
    It's hard to stomach that our super will be slashed, wages frozen, retirement age increased, but these thiefs will be cosy in their tax payer paid havens, with Foxtel available to ensure they
    don't get bored while at home doing nothing...

    Kiethy Friday 29 May, 2009 - 9:45 PM

Post a comment * Mandatory fields