welfare... comes with a price

From The Australian

Welfare payments to be 'quarantined' - PM

July 14, 2007

PARENTS who neglect their children or fail to ensure their attendance at school will have part of their welfare payments quarantined by Centrelink, Prime Minister John Howard said today.
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"The welfare state was never intended to let people evade their personal or social responsibilities, especially when it comes to care for children,'' he said.

But Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd trumped the prime minister's big announcement, today unveiling his own plan for welfare reform.

Mr Howard said the welfare restrictions would help address child neglect and encourage school attendance.
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The Howard government will allow the states to request Centrelink intervene to "manage'' welfare payments for families whose children are considered to be at risk of neglect.

This would see some families have their welfare payments quarantined to pay for essential items like food, clothing and shelter, starting next July.

Earlier today in Brisbane, Mr Rudd announced a Labor government would withhold welfare payments if children were abused, not sent to school or if parents were using drugs.

State and territory child protection authorities would be given the power to require parents who neglect their children to spend part of their family and welfare payments on essentials such as food, rent, electricity and gas for the home, and school uniforms and books.

Under the framework, authorities would also have the power to recommend to Centrelink the percentage of quarantining.

In cases involving drug abuse, for example, it could exceed 50 per cent, Mr Rudd said.
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Mr Rudd said quarantining would become part of state and territory child protection plans, setting parental obligations against services and support agencies could provide.

Hmmm... both the political parties mean well. The big announcement though, is for political consumption. Obviously the people on welfare affected don't count very much for votes, but you can't argue with the logic.

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I didn't do much today. I have no idea what I did for most of the day.

Tonight I went to another club to watch the footy with a couple of supporters of my club. What a great win from my team.