How does the welfare system work

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I dunno about you guys but I'm experiencing a lot of my customers squealing and playing the poor me card when car repairs need to be done, lots of people are claiming they're struggling to make ends meet even though interest rates are at their lowest ever.

Imagine if we had a few interest rate increases?

Either people are doing it tough or they think cars are cheap to fix.

The extra $500 odd is seeming to be a problem when their car throws in the towel this week.

People will always whine these days, complaining about no money. Yet they seem to always have smokes, drugs, alcohol and eat take away, they seem to go to pubs and clubs etc. They seem to all have newer phones that what I have and always seem to have it attached to their ear.

May be if they prioritised their spending they would not have to complain about paying a fair price.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by sprintman1

I've been trying for two years. Maybe you can enlighten me?

Be honest and answer some simple questions:

What actions have you taken today to get a job??

What time did you get out of bed the last 5 days (since Monday morning)??

How many phone calls have you made in the last 5 days enquiring about a job??

How many potential employers have you seen in the last week about a job??

Seriously no person with your qualifications that you listed would be out of a job for even a few days if you actively pursued employment?? Unless of course you are no good at your job and word has gotten around??

If of course you are holding out for 300k a year junket instead of a job to pay a wage and pay some bills and get you out of the house then you might be waiting a few more years.

[sprintman1]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

Be honest and answer some simple questions:

What actions have you taken today to get a job??

Multiple web job applications, cold calling and phone calls. Walk ins earlier in the week.
What time did you get out of bed the last 5 days (since Monday morning)??

Usually up by 5:00 am or earlier
How many phone calls have you made in the last 5 days enquiring about a job??

Min 10 usually 15
How many potential employers have you seen in the last week about a job??

10-20 walk ins.
Seriously no person with your qualifications that you listed would be out of a job for even a few days if you actively pursued employment?? Unless of course you are no good at your job and word has gotten around??

No #1 in Australasia in 2006 in channel sales. Exceeded $10m in a month

If of course you are holding out for 300k a year junket instead of a job to pay a wage and pay some bills and get you out of the house then you might be waiting a few more years.

You're one of those people that I listen to on 2GB talking to Hadley, Smith, Price, etc etc. living in a parallel universe where there are jobs for everybody except
the oldies who are of course too busy 'playing pokies'. Another indication of the abject failure of the Australian education system. Gotta go, cover letters to write

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

If those are your honest answers and you actually approached and were as proactive as you claim to be, then I have no idea, may be you are looking on the wrong places or for the wrong jobs.

I can guarantee you there are more jobs than people, because half the jobs around here are filled by back packers and blow ins. if a new back packer comes into town they generally have a job in a day or two. They can be driving tractors, harvesters, doing fencing, working in the local shop, pub, working on local farms, working at the cotton gin, working on a cattle station etc All pay reasonable well and all jobs are freely available at any time. I know the local general store is looking for people right now as they been begging my missus to work more hours on top of her main job at the local school.

Not 300K jobs, but all work that pays well.

I don't listen to any talk back radio shows or talk to them, but I do get off my back side every day and go outside.

No parallel universe, may be your expectations are too high??

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

If those are your honest answers and you actually approached and were as proactive as you claim to be, then I have no idea, may be you are looking on the wrong places or for the wrong jobs.

I can guarantee you there are more jobs than people, because half the jobs around here are filled by back packers and blow ins. if a new back packer comes into town they generally have a job in a day or two. They can be driving tractors, harvesters, doing fencing, working in the local shop, pub, working on local farms, working at the cotton gin, working on a cattle station etc All pay reasonable well and all jobs are freely available at any time. I know the local general store is looking for people right now as they been begging my missus to work more hours on top of her main job at the local school.

Not 300K jobs, but all work that pays well.

I don't listen to any talk back radio shows or talk to them, but I do get off my back side every day and go outside.

No parallel universe, may be your expectations are too high??

I think you are very lucky to live in an area where there is a multitude of jobs.Other areas like Nth West Tasmania where Caterpillar closed down their operations and the resultant flow on of work retrenchments has seen about 500 people become unemployed through no fault of their own.Now IF a job gets advertised about 300 people apply.

[blueoval]

Been watching this thread for a while now and thought it was time for me to chime in.

I went on welfare for 2yrs after leaving tafe. I hated it. I felt demoralized and didn't feel right about receiving a hand out for something I felt I could get my way out of. My parents were good to me and they didnt ask for board of rent during that time while I tried to get on my feet.

I ended up working as a pizza delivery driver at nights for less than the dole only because I felt it gave me some purpose, not because I was 'too good or over qualified' for the job. To me, it was a job and I felt like it helped me in terms of my own self esteem. At that time I was just happy that I was actually a productive member of my local community and not a burden to society.

Some could say, yes mummy and daddy helped out and I had it easy. Sure they helped me I am grateful, so to show my gratitude I did my best to make them proud instead of bludging off welfare and off their hard work. I was a pizza delivery driver, a painter, builders laborer, gardener, pretty much any menial job that paid money that was available I gave a shot at which helped prop me up to the kind of work I wanted.

You're probably thinking, yeah yeah good for you, so what? What does that have to do with 'my' circumstances? How are you to judge, blah blah blah..... heard it all before.

I believe 'attitude' to what work comes your way, plays a massive role in getting a job as well as it setting you up for future work. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who think they are above certain jobs and/or because it doesn't fit in with 'their lifestyle', it's not good enough for them. To me, you MAKE it work. If I had to, I would pick up cans out of a bin if it meant I kept trying to work and it gave me some form self worth. But that is my attitude towards work.

Flame suit on

[The Yeti]

Parallel universe here, I do listen to Ray from time to time, I've also been made redundant twice since 2011.

But both times as soon as I've been notified I've got on the phone and each time I've had a job to walk into as soon as I've finished the last

No special secrets, I just keep in contact with people in the industry and try not to burn bridges. This doesn't stop as soon as I'm in the job it's a constant thing, that involves, regular coffee's the odd game of golf and so on.

[sprintman1]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

Parallel universe here, I do listen to Ray from time to time, I've also been made redundant twice since 2011.

But both times as soon as I've been notified I've got on the phone and each time I've had a job to walk into as soon as I've finished the last

No special secrets, I just keep in contact with people in the industry and try not to burn bridges. This doesn't stop as soon as I'm in the job it's a constant thing, that involves, regular coffee's the odd game of golf and so on.

Same here but different past 60. Most wonder how/why still alive!

[sprintman1]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

If those are your honest answers and you actually approached and were as proactive as you claim to be, then I have no idea, may be you are looking on the wrong places or for the wrong jobs.

I can guarantee you there are more jobs than people, because half the jobs around here are filled by back packers and blow ins. if a new back packer comes into town they generally have a job in a day or two. They can be driving tractors, harvesters, doing fencing, working in the local shop, pub, working on local farms, working at the cotton gin, working on a cattle station etc All pay reasonable well and all jobs are freely available at any time. I know the local general store is looking for people right now as they been begging my missus to work more hours on top of her main job at the local school.

Not 300K jobs, but all work that pays well.

I don't listen to any talk back radio shows or talk to them, but I do get off my back side every day and go outside.

No parallel universe, may be your expectations are too high??

When you get to 60 you'll understand the gist of this thread.

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by sprintman1

When you get to 60 you'll understand the gist of this thread.

Just a curiosity here, do you want a job because you just WANT to work, or do you want a job because you NEED an income?

[Junkyard-Dog]

I have actually been amazed at the number of jobs available in rural parts of our country. Many of these employers also offer a place to stay at a reasonable price (or sometimes free). Sure, working on a pig farm might not suit everyone but it's not a bad gig.

The problem is most people don't want to move to find work. Some people don't even want to inconvenience themselves in the slightest to find meaningful employment.

[barrys123]

I'm 74 next month and I'm one of the lucky ones retired at 57 and was a self funded retiree until 65 years old when I became eligible for a deserved part pension. As when I worked we payed up to 65% tax on the top rate of our pay, today everyone expects to pay as little tax as possible and receive all the benefits, we payed our share of tax, my last few years of working I payed $38,000 per year, so I think I deserve a little pension. As superannuation didn't come in until 1981, so if we wanted to retire early as in my case and have a reasonable income to compliment the pension when it became due, we had to save and invest to finance this lifestyle. I worked for the last 25 years in the one job in mining in the north-west.
But I tell you what I would hate to be in the workforce today or out of a job trying to get one, in my time when you were offered a job it was a permanent one, not like today when most employers hire through man-hire firms to avoid their responsibility towards the employee and have the ability to put you off at anytime. Anyone who is unskilled hasn't a hope, when I was employed they had a training scheme to make sure you improved your skills. I started out as a general hand, then over time trained up to operate all the heavy mobile equipment, then became a leading hand and later a shift supervisor. In all the trade sections of the job they used employ one apprentice to every three tradesman. These days nobody wants to train people they just want qualified personal, but then in those days we had strong unions that put pressure on employers.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by Junkyard-Dog

I have actually been amazed at the number of jobs available in rural parts of our country. Many of these employers also offer a place to stay at a reasonable price (or sometimes free). Sure, working on a pig farm might not suit everyone but it's not a bad gig.

The problem is most people don't want to move to find work. Some people don't even want to inconvenience themselves in the slightest to find meaningful employment.

Plenty of jobs in rural Australian and yes many do come with homes or accommodation as well.

But most people just don't want to budge or are not happy to do the work, so back packers step in and get hired in a flash.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by sprintman1

When you get to 60 you'll understand the gist of this thread.

Cool ten years to go....

[Trump]

The question many forget to ask themselves is, do they want to live to work or work to live?

[Work Horse]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

If those are your honest answers and you actually approached and were as proactive as you claim to be, then I have no idea, may be you are looking on the wrong places or for the wrong jobs.

I can guarantee you there are more jobs than people, because half the jobs around here are filled by back packers and blow ins. if a new back packer comes into town they generally have a job in a day or two. They can be driving tractors, harvesters, doing fencing, working in the local shop, pub, working on local farms, working at the cotton gin, working on a cattle station etc All pay reasonable well and all jobs are freely available at any time. I know the local general store is looking for people right now as they been begging my missus to work more hours on top of her main job at the local school.

Not 300K jobs, but all work that pays well.

I don't listen to any talk back radio shows or talk to them, but I do get off my back side every day and go outside.

No parallel universe, may be your expectations are too high??

Our economic system relies on one in twenty of us being unemployed to remain stable. Without unemployed people wages and prices would rise out of control. Pollies talk about lowering unemployment and work to create more jobs. But "full" employment in Australia is about 5% unemployment. Any less puts upward pressure on wages, prices, inflation etc.

We need unemployed people to maintain our current standard of living. So that is part of the reason people are paid to be unemployed. It's not the best system but it's the best we have.

[sprintman1]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Just a curiosity here, do you want a job because you just WANT to work, or do you want a job because you NEED an income?

Both. Daughter has a Royal Show class horse and I think it eats money not horse feed although she tries to convince me otherwise

[sprintman1]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

Plenty of jobs in rural Australian and yes many do come with homes or accommodation as well.

But most people just don't want to budge or are not happy to do the work, so back packers step in and get hired in a flash.

What jobs exactly? I have a daughter in final year of college and we care for the invalid mother-in-law so moving would be problematical and that's an understatement.

[Trump]

Originally Posted by Work Horse

Our economic system relies on one in twenty of us being unemployed to remain stable. Without unemployed people wages and prices would rise out of control. Pollies talk about lowering unemployment and work to create more jobs. But "full" employment in Australia is about 5% unemployment. Any less puts upward pressure on wages, prices, inflation etc.

We need unemployed people to maintain our current standard of living. So that is part of the reason people are paid to be unemployed. It's not the best system but it's the best we have.

There would be no upward pressure on all three if sound money was in place of the farce we currently have.

[sprintman1]

There are some jobs in some sectors and locations,hence the 457 visa.

[MITCHAY]

You are seriously out of touch if you don't think age discrimination doesn't exist. Both young and old.

Of course there are plenty of jobs out in the bush because no one wants to live there. That's exactly the reason why the services suck out there.

If I had to go there I would but **** I wouldn't do it by choice.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by barrys123

I'm 74 next month and I'm one of the lucky ones retired at 57 and was a self funded retiree until 65 years old when I became eligible for a deserved part pension. As when I worked we payed up to 65% tax on the top rate of our pay, today everyone expects to pay as little tax as possible and receive all the benefits, we payed our share of tax, my last few years of working I payed $38,000 per year, so I think I deserve a little pension. As superannuation didn't come in until 1981, so if we wanted to retire early as in my case and have a reasonable income to compliment the pension when it became due, we had to save and invest to finance this lifestyle. I worked for the last 25 years in the one job in mining in the north-west.
But I tell you what I would hate to be in the workforce today or out of a job trying to get one, in my time when you were offered a job it was a permanent one, not like today when most employers hire through man-hire firms to avoid their responsibility towards the employee and have the ability to put you off at anytime. Anyone who is unskilled hasn't a hope, when I was employed they had a training scheme to make sure you improved your skills. I started out as a general hand, then over time trained up to operate all the heavy mobile equipment, then became a leading hand and later a shift supervisor. In all the trade sections of the job they used employ one apprentice to every three tradesman. These days nobody wants to train people they just want qualified personal, but then in those days we had strong unions that put pressure on employers.

The pension is there as a form of welfare and thats the way it should be, to help support our elderly who can't provide for themselves.

Not 'I've paid all my taxes all my life so I'm holding my hand out for tax payer money even though I own 5 houses and have 7 figures in term deposits'.

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Not 'I've paid all my taxes all my life so I'm holding my hand out for tax payer money even though I own 5 houses and have 7 figures in term deposits'.

Many of those around. A mates ex worked at a bank. I remember her telling stories of some elderly people who would have hundreds of thousands, sometimes even more, sitting in a particular account. She would suggest to them to put the money into a different type account to get some interest. They would say "No if I do that I wont get my pension payments"

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Ben73

Many of those around. A mates ex worked at a bank. I remember her telling stories of some elderly people who would have hundreds of thousands, sometimes even more, sitting in a particular account. She would suggest to them to put the money into a different type account to get some interest. They would say "No if I do that I wont get my pension payments"

Yep, one of my relatives works in this particular field involving pensioners and he gets it all the time, I want a pension because I've paid taxes all my life, and they've got assets listed well into 7 figures.

Even if they only get 50 cents a week it gives them a health care card, subsidised rego, medication, public transport etc.

You get people who can't even rub two 5 cent coins together who get a hard time to get any form of welfare then the 7 figures in assets beating the table about paying taxes all their life.

[Mont5.0]

Originally Posted by barrys123

But I tell you what I would hate to be in the workforce today or out of a job trying to get one, in my time when you were offered a job it was a permanent one, not like today when most employers hire through man-hire firms to avoid their responsibility towards the employee and have the ability to put you off at anytime. Anyone who is unskilled hasn't a hope, when I was employed they had a training scheme to make sure you improved your skills.

Works both ways. I have hired over 60 casuals in the last 4 years for basic storeman work. These blokes should already have the skills (forklift tickets etc.)
Out of that 60 i have found 5-6 worthy employees. I have then employed them in full time positions. With these "man-hire" companies, they release the workers for full time employment after 12 weeks. The amount of casuals that dont last or cant learn the job in that time is astounding. I would only ever use agencies as at least you can have the choice of an instant replacement when the original candidate isnt up to the task.

[Work Horse]

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

There would be no upward pressure on all three if sound money was in place of the farce we currently have.

Not sure what you mean

[sprintman1]

Originally Posted by Mont5.0

Works both ways. I have hired over 60 casuals in the last 4 years for basic storeman work. These blokes should already have the skills (forklift tickets etc.)
Out of that 60 i have found 5-6 worthy employees. I have then employed them in full time positions. With these "man-hire" companies, they release the workers for full time employment after 12 weeks. The amount of casuals that dont last or cant learn the job in that time is astounding. I would only ever use agencies as at least you can have the choice of an instant replacement when the original candidate isnt up to the task.

Job agency talked me into Cert II in heavy vehicle ops course with the promise of a job at the end. Something different I thought and a HR lic so proceeded to spend 5 weeks in a classroom and practical. Yes I now have said HR lic but amazingly the jobs failed to eventuate, what a surprise... And chasing other driving jobs advertised they're not interested as no experience. Cost me about $60 for book and rules test but govt picked up the tab for the exy part, several thousand I believe.

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by Ben73

Many of those around. A mates ex worked at a bank. I remember her telling stories of some elderly people who would have hundreds of thousands, sometimes even more, sitting in a particular account. She would suggest to them to put the money into a different type account to get some interest. They would say "No if I do that I wont get my pension payments"

Crap... Govco has had "Deeming" rules in place for over 20 yrs now! (Where THEY deem what interest SHOULD be earned)
There is also maximum amounts held in bank accounts before it affects your pension.. And well less than 100k

[sprintman1]

Originally Posted by Charliewool

Crap... Govco has had "Deeming" rules in place for over 20 yrs now! (Where THEY deem what interest SHOULD be earned)
There is also maximum amounts held in bank accounts before it affects your pension.. And well less than 100k

Can you please not use factual data here, it upsets the natives...............

[Trump]

Originally Posted by Work Horse

Not sure what you mean

Fractional reserve banking is the mechanism by which the banks are able to create almost limitless credit (and by default the amount of money circulating through the economy). For every dollar they have on their books, they can create nine more out of thin air and loan it out or do as they see fit with it. This endless process results in the consistent devaluation of the unit of currency and the resultant increase in prices and wages. It is the sole cause of inflation.

As a result, over 95% of the money in existence is this monetised debt.

Revert to 100% reserve banking and the problems you mentioned essentially disappear as the cost of good comes down due to value added by manufacture and innovation. When the cost of goods (and services) comes down, wages pressures disappear. With wage pressures gone, full employment becomes possible.