One of the welfare to work measures announced in the budget was that single parents will have to look for work when their child turns six, and those who go onto benefits in the future will be transferred to the (lower) Newstart benefit as a birthday present for their kiddie on its sixth birthday. The Government announced funding for 80000 new childcare places, though it was later revealed that these would not be reserved for single parents, and the cost of childcare has risen exponentially for a number of reasons under the Howard Government.
Mr Howard had refused to budge on the rules, telling parliament that single parents who refused jobs would be treated just like other unemployed people, who face immediate penalties for snubbing employment.
“The rules that will apply in relation to that are the same rules that now operate under Newstart,” Mr Howard said.
Right, yeah, leave the kiddies with the kindly neighbour. You know, Mrs Mangel or whatever her name is. Or in the car. Or behind the checkout counter at Coles.
Howard’s “tough” stand didn’t last long:
But last night the Prime Minister issued a statement saying no penalty would apply.
“If no suitable childcare is available, or the cost of care would result in a very low or negative financial gain from working, the parent will not be required to accept the job,” he said.
The new rule spelt out by Mr Howard also leaves open the possibility of parents refusing work by arguing that the effective marginal tax rates mean they will lose too much welfare from returning to work.
Under changes in the budget, existing sole parents lose 40c of their benefits for every dollar they earn from part-time work, but those who apply in the future will lose 60c of their payments.
So it might be that the effect of the policy is just a $43 a fortnight cut in the income of single parents. That’s a relief. No?
The welfare to work reforms were finalised on the Friday before the budget. This sort of own goal happens all the time with the Howard government’s pathetic policy process. It’s surprising that the Howardians don’t attract more criticism for their sheer incompetence.
It’s quite absurd that the Howard Government not only has obnoxious goals in mind with regard to these sorts of reforms, but consistently fail to reach hit their own targets through sheer policy incompetence.
It’s quite absurd that the Howard Government not only has obnoxious goals in mind with regard to these sorts of reforms, but consistently fail to reach hit their own targets through sheer policy incompetence.
By the way, how can you have a “negative financial gain”, Mr Howard?
By the way, how can you have a “negative financial gain”, Mr Howard?
Mark, that’s when you pay more for childcare than you get paid in your job I believe. Lord knows what he expects single parents to buy groceries etc with.
Mark, that’s when you pay more for childcare than you get paid in your job I believe. Lord knows what he expects single parents to buy groceries etc with.
Maybe these single mothers should have used contraception. Just a thought.
Maybe these single mothers should have used contraception. Just a thought.
Or maybe men should take some responsibility, EP. After all, condoms prevent or mitigate std and hiv transmission.
Or maybe men should take some responsibility, EP. After all, condoms prevent or mitigate std and hiv transmission.
Men do take responsibility, Kim. They’re forced to, by legislation which mandates the paying of child support direct from their wages to the pockets of single mothers (even if the man isn’t the real father).
Unlike men, single mothers had a choice — that wonderful women’s right called abortion.
With all those choices and support systems, they shouldn’t complain. Single non-custodial fathers are much worse off and they get no sympathy from the bleeding hearts who love single mothers so much.
Men do take responsibility, Kim. They’re forced to, by legislation which mandates the paying of child support direct from their wages to the pockets of single mothers (even if the man isn’t the real father).
Unlike men, single mothers had a choice — that wonderful women’s right called abortion.
With all those choices and support systems, they shouldn’t complain. Single non-custodial fathers are much worse off and they get no sympathy from the bleeding hearts who love single mothers so much.
“Maybe these single mothers should have used contraception. Just a thought.”
No, a thought is what you get when you use the higher brain functions. I believe you are using your knee here, EP.
“Maybe these single mothers should have used contraception. Just a thought.”
No, a thought is what you get when you use the higher brain functions. I believe you are using your knee here, EP.
Now now Harry, the only thing that counts is engagement in debate. You’re not engaging in debate.
Now now Harry, the only thing that counts is engagement in debate. You’re not engaging in debate.
Because no single mothers are single because the father left, or died, or turned out to be a raging a******, or beat the little kid up, or beat the woman up, or took drugs, or was an acoholic, or gambled everything away.
Disclaimer: Please note that I am not saying all men are like this, nor am I saying that every single mother is a victim of the aforementioned circumstances, nor am I claiming that single dads don’t have it tough, nor am I claiming that family law practises are not difficult on all family members involved, nor am I saying that presumptive custody going to mothers isn’t problematic in many cases.
Because no single mothers are single because the father left, or died, or turned out to be a raging a******, or beat the little kid up, or beat the woman up, or took drugs, or was an acoholic, or gambled everything away.
Disclaimer: Please note that I am not saying all men are like this, nor am I saying that every single mother is a victim of the aforementioned circumstances, nor am I claiming that single dads don’t have it tough, nor am I claiming that family law practises are not difficult on all family members involved, nor am I saying that presumptive custody going to mothers isn’t problematic in many cases.
EP blokes have choices too you know. It’s called keeping it to themselves or the medical option of vasectomy.
EP blokes have choices too you know. It’s called keeping it to themselves or the medical option of vasectomy.
PS these women wouldn’t be getting the pension if the fathers were supporting their kids.
PS these women wouldn’t be getting the pension if the fathers were supporting their kids.
Yes Polly, I know blokes have a bunch of pretty unattractive choices. That’s what I get told every time I mention that men have no reproductive rights or that men are treated unfairly by the family law system.
And that’s what I remember whenever I see people whingeing about the ever so sad treatment of single mothers.
Well, it’s just tough luck for them. These women have choices. They could have an abortion, or they could just keep their legs closed, and they wouldn’t be in this situation.
Fathers get no sympathy, so why the hell should mothers get any?
Yes Polly, I know blokes have a bunch of pretty unattractive choices. That’s what I get told every time I mention that men have no reproductive rights or that men are treated unfairly by the family law system.
And that’s what I remember whenever I see people whingeing about the ever so sad treatment of single mothers.
Well, it’s just tough luck for them. These women have choices. They could have an abortion, or they could just keep their legs closed, and they wouldn’t be in this situation.
Fathers get no sympathy, so why the hell should mothers get any?
I know EP, I just enjoy it when you bite.
But isn’t the sole parent thing mainly about the kids? It also applies to blokes you know (as does the CSA).
I also agree that some men do get diddled by the Family Court and they have my sympathy. But not all of them.
I know EP, I just enjoy it when you bite.
But isn’t the sole parent thing mainly about the kids? It also applies to blokes you know (as does the CSA).
I also agree that some men do get diddled by the Family Court and they have my sympathy. But not all of them.
I don’t think it has ever been about the kids.
If it was about the kids, then “child support” payments would be determined by the child’s needs, not the father’s income.
If it was about the kids, then the mother would be required to account for how she spent the “child support” money on the child.
If it was about the kids, then abortion would be a crime and not a right.
It isn’t about the kids. It’s never been about the kids. It’s all about advantages for adults in competition for money and power.
I don’t think it has ever been about the kids.
If it was about the kids, then “child support” payments would be determined by the child’s needs, not the father’s income.
If it was about the kids, then the mother would be required to account for how she spent the “child support” money on the child.
If it was about the kids, then abortion would be a crime and not a right.
It isn’t about the kids. It’s never been about the kids. It’s all about advantages for adults in competition for money and power.
[If it was about the kids, then "child support" payments would be determined by the child?Äôs needs, not the father?Äôs income.]
Does this mean EP supports wage principles based on need, rather than abilty to pay?
Welcome comrade!
[If it was about the kids, then "child support" payments would be determined by the child?Äôs needs, not the father?Äôs income.]
Does this mean EP supports wage principles based on need, rather than abilty to pay?
Welcome comrade!
Blimey. It took at least a full nanosecond before EP’s monomania kicked in. You must be recovering, old bean. Still rather pitiful that your contribution is to blame the mother. Not too surprising, though, is it, because it’s always the woman’s fault, isn’t it? All those single mothers stealing sperm so they can hit the welfare jackpot. There should be a law against it.
Blimey. It took at least a full nanosecond before EP’s monomania kicked in. You must be recovering, old bean. Still rather pitiful that your contribution is to blame the mother. Not too surprising, though, is it, because it’s always the woman’s fault, isn’t it? All those single mothers stealing sperm so they can hit the welfare jackpot. There should be a law against it.
I understand the 80,000 extra child care places are not full-time equivalents. So if a kid is booked in for after school care it counts as one place.
John Hewson has an interesting opinion piece in the AFR today (not on the net as far as I can see) wherein he quotes a judge of the juvenile court as saying that a percentage of 6 yr olds left at home for any length of time will show up in his court in 8-10 years time. He suggests:
“I strongly believe that such cabinet submissions should be required to attach a social impact statement whereby ministers are required to spell out, and where possible, quantify, the likely long-term social impacts of their proposals.”
I guess if they think about such implications for a nano-second it would do no harm.
I understand the 80,000 extra child care places are not full-time equivalents. So if a kid is booked in for after school care it counts as one place.
John Hewson has an interesting opinion piece in the AFR today (not on the net as far as I can see) wherein he quotes a judge of the juvenile court as saying that a percentage of 6 yr olds left at home for any length of time will show up in his court in 8-10 years time. He suggests:
“I strongly believe that such cabinet submissions should be required to attach a social impact statement whereby ministers are required to spell out, and where possible, quantify, the likely long-term social impacts of their proposals.”
I guess if they think about such implications for a nano-second it would do no harm.
That sounds like an argument for discouraging single parenthood, Brian.
That sounds like an argument for discouraging single parenthood, Brian.
No, Evil. Single parenthood needs to be a viable option to escape from dysfunctional relationships.
No, Evil. Single parenthood needs to be a viable option to escape from dysfunctional relationships.
I am reading Freddy Fittler’s autobiography and HE comes from a single-parented family. His dad took off when his mum was pregnant with him. How does “discouraging single parenthood” have anything to do with those sorts of situations? It’s just ludicrous to blame the single parent, it’s the soft cop-out instead of tackling the hard options. As Freddy says, he’s lucky to have had the fairy tale all his life, but it could have so-easily been some other way.
I am reading Freddy Fittler’s autobiography and HE comes from a single-parented family. His dad took off when his mum was pregnant with him. How does “discouraging single parenthood” have anything to do with those sorts of situations? It’s just ludicrous to blame the single parent, it’s the soft cop-out instead of tackling the hard options. As Freddy says, he’s lucky to have had the fairy tale all his life, but it could have so-easily been some other way.
Remember when you ran away
And I got on my knees
And begged you not to leave
Because I’d go berserk?
Well. . .
You left me anyhow
And then the days got worse and worse
And now you see I’ve gone
Completely out of my mind
And. . .
They’re coming to take my sperm, HA HA
They’re coming to take my sperm, HO HO HEE HEE HA HA
Remember when you ran away
And I got on my knees
And begged you not to leave
Because I’d go berserk?
Well. . .
You left me anyhow
And then the days got worse and worse
And now you see I’ve gone
Completely out of my mind
And. . .
They’re coming to take my sperm, HA HA
They’re coming to take my sperm, HO HO HEE HEE HA HA
What a load of fucking crap. I’ll ask it again but who the hell voted for these bastards? So basically what they are saying is that children who come from a family with a sole parent will be forced into institutional care because mummy (daddy) is considered to be a social burden. What a load of poop. I am a sole parent. I absolutely love my child and relish my role as a parent. I currently work 20 hrs a week (because my child’s partner won’t pay maintenance…another story) and that is already causing a major impact on his emotional and social development. I truely believe that infants need to have one sole care giver at such critical periods of their development and the pension does not allow that. Now we are again supposed to feel guiltly for “having an accidental pregnancy” and our children are to suffer. Have you been to a day care centre? Well, I’m telling you they are not the optimum environments for our kids. How about we appreciate all parents…wether solo or not.
What a load of fucking crap. I’ll ask it again but who the hell voted for these bastards? So basically what they are saying is that children who come from a family with a sole parent will be forced into institutional care because mummy (daddy) is considered to be a social burden. What a load of poop. I am a sole parent. I absolutely love my child and relish my role as a parent. I currently work 20 hrs a week (because my child’s partner won’t pay maintenance…another story) and that is already causing a major impact on his emotional and social development. I truely believe that infants need to have one sole care giver at such critical periods of their development and the pension does not allow that. Now we are again supposed to feel guiltly for “having an accidental pregnancy” and our children are to suffer. Have you been to a day care centre? Well, I’m telling you they are not the optimum environments for our kids. How about we appreciate all parents…wether solo or not.