Australians too retiring: OECD - National - theage.com.au

"The study also finds Australian men of prime working age have the second highest jobless rate of all 30 member nations in the OECD.

Perhaps because Australian employers are bastards?

In a wide-ranging reform blueprint, the organisation urges the Federal Government to let people earn more part-time income while still claiming the aged pension.

This is a no-brainer.

It also advocates even tougher rules for older people on welfare benefits - including more work requirements for unemployed people over 55.

I support this, but you have to start with employers. They're the mongrels who block older, disabled people from getting jobs. They use any excuse to sack older workers so they can employ someone younger and cheaper. Most people I assess for DSP want to work. Over half have a horror story about how they were forced into early "retirement" by bastard bosses.

And, in a bid to stop the disability support pension being used as an early retirement scheme, it wants older applicants to face the same tough medical eligibility tests as everyone else.

Despite the Government's pre-budget decision to exempt the existing 700,000 disability pensioners from harsher work tests, the OECD says all recipients should be forced to look for a job if they can work for 15 hours or more a week."

Agreed - but you have to make the definition of 15 hours per week reasonable. How about forcing employers to provide part-time work. Have you looked in the paper to see how many part-time jobs are advertised? Pompous ivory tower academics make these ridiculous pronouncements with no concept of what it's actually like in the real world.

Yesterday I assessed a 57 year old man with multiple injuries who wanted to work, who had actually been an employment consultant in Job Network. He trained people for the Mature Workers Program. He cannot get a job. His Job Network provider has decided not to fund the final semester of his TAFE course.

Here is a man doing all the right things - being screwed by a pathetic system. Shame Johnny.

'Welfare to work' melting under spotlight

Penny Wong

Labor Senator for South Australia
Shadow Minister for Employment and Workforce Participation,
Corporate Governance and Responsibility

Sunday 19 June, 2005

In the last week of parliamentary sittings, Labor will highlight that
the Howard Government's so-called welfare to work package is a shambles that won't improve workforce participation.

"Since the Budget, Labor and independent experts have shone a spotlight on the Howard Government's incompetent scheme and found that it fails its own basic test of moving people from welfare to work," Shadow Employment Minister Senator Wong said today.

"Under the Howard Government's confused scheme, there will be less incentive to move into work because workers will lose more of what they earn."

Treasury confirmed this fact at Senate Estimates hearings, and last week the respected Melbourne Institute agreed:

The effect of on labour supply of these measures is ambiguous... Relatively less can be gained from employment due to the higher benefit withdrawal rates when earning additional income.

In addition, the Treasurer's claim that 190,000 people will move from welfare to work has been completely discredited.

"At estimates, Treasury revealed that it expected that no current
Disability Support Pension recipients would move into work at all. And now the Melbourne Institute is projecting that only 45,000 people will move from welfare to work.

"Add these revelations to the chorus of concern raised by church groups and the news that Job Network agencies are threatening to walk from the system, and it is clear that the 'welfare to work' scheme is decomposing before our eyes.

"Welfare reform was the opportunity for Australia to ask welfare
recipients to help address the chronic skills shortage - but that
opportunity has been wasted with no major investment in the skills of welfare recipients.

"The Howard Government's process for developing this scheme was chaotic, the results have been disastrous - and vulnerable families and disabled Australians will pay the price.

"After nine long years of talk on welfare reform, the Howard Government is just moving vulnerable Australians from one welfare payment to a lower welfare payment. Labor will be calling the Government to account for this cruel scam when the last parliamentary sitting week for the session begins tomorrow."

For further information - John Olenich 0408 841 850

Call to rethink disability reform

By GABRIELLE DUNLEVY - Illawarra Mercury June 11, 2005.

A KOONAWARRA man has started, a petition against changes to the Disability Support Pension which he claims will disadvantage and discriminate against people with a disability, rather than encourage them into work.

Ken Davis, both a recipient of the pension and an occupational therapist who assesses people for the pension, believes the changes come out of ignorance.

Under the Federal Government's "welfare to work" reforms, from July 1 next year people able to do 15 hours of part time work would no longer he entitled to the pension and would be moved Newstart allowance.

They would have to meet job search requirements and would be $44 per week worse off, Mr Davis said.

As most people with disabilities wanted to work, he believed the Government should give employers an incentive to hire them.

“Because of the job I do part-time is to assess people with a disability, I can see first hand that the Government’s claims about these people are not true...the characterisation of people on the disability support pension as malingerers”, he said. “The most serious misconception is what it takes for a disabled person to find real employment that does not aggravate their condition.”

Mr Davis said the idea that people with back injuries could easily find part-time office work was an example of this – often office work could make their condition worse.

“They (the Government) really have a poor understanding of people with disabilities. What I am hoping is there will be enough signatures to get some attention and that it might motivate both people with a disability and people around them to get on board with the political process and try and make a difference.”

Mr Davis said his was not the only campaign against the pension reforms. The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations has launched Campaign Enable to coerce the Government to replace its “unfair” policies with a practical national employment strategy for those with a disability.

Mr Davis’ petition is at www.life-directions.net/dsp.php

PM - Jobless rate steady at 5.1 per cent

Not much cheer for Disabled

PM - Thursday, 9 June , 2005 18:55:55
Reporter: Neal Woolrich
MARK COLVIN: Most indicators show that the Australian economy is slowing, but the job market continues to defy the trend.

Australia's unemployment rate remained steady in May at a 28-year low of 5.1 per cent.

But the strength of the job market is causing its own problems, with employers increasingly looking overseas to find qualified workers.

Comment

Funny aint it. Government says it's reforms will improve the lot of disabled people and single mums. But where do the bosses go looking for workers: Overseas! This shows the poverty of imagination in our Government and business leaders.

DSP recipients are the ones who need a carrot - its the bosses who need a bloody big stick!

Jennie George demands a fair go for Disability Support Pensioners

My local member, Jennie George is fighting the Howard Government's proposed DSP changes. This is her conclusion. I urge you to read the whole speech.

2005 Budget reply: "If we genuinely want to help people with disabilities who have a capacity to work-and I think most people of goodwill really want to see that outcome-we need to understand that this will require a big investment in rehabilitation and employment assistance and major changes in the nature of our workplaces. There are no cheap or easy options. In the meantime, I firmly believe that people with disabilities deserve adequate and secure income support through the social security system, not cuts to their entitlements. It is in this context that I believe the government's proposals in the budget for DSP recipients fail the test of adequate support and assistance in their move from welfare to work."

Canada vs Australia

Check out how Canada is treating disabled workers, then compare it with Australia's approach.

"Injured workers applaud government action
Changes to Ontario WSIB fairer and in the right direction
Toronto, Ontario, June 1 /PR Direct/ - Injured worker groups today applauded the Ontario Government's action to change the way in which the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board treats Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits.

'The announcement today is a step in the right direction to treat injured workers more fairly,' said Jessica Schmidt, spokesperson for the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge Injured Workers' Group Inc. It is encouraging to see that injured workers are now one step closer to receiving benefits that correspond to their true wage loss.

Successive governments have enacted legislation that resulted in a significant loss of income for injured workers. De-indexing of WSIB pensions occurred in the early 1990's and Bill 99 during the Conservative regime resulted in a 5 % loss of income for injured workers. This is the first time since January 1, 1998 that injured workers have received an increase in their benefits."

Empowering Conference 2005

"Empowering Individuals and Families in the Human Services
Sydney, 17 June 2005
Y on the Park Conference Centre

This one day conference will explore an agenda of empowerment for individuals and families in the fields of disability, mental health, aged care, youth, schools, health care and family support.

By ‘empowerment’ we mean person-centred arrangements in social policy and service provision, as distinct from institution or agency-centred systems.

Our purpose is to explore what must be done – in communities, services, government departments, social institutions, and philanthropic foundations – to further an empowerment agenda. "

Disability Paricipation Alliance

"People with Disability: Participation and Payments Forum

More than 30 disability, welfare and employment services agencies attended the People with Disability: Participation and Payments Forum held in Melbourne on Thursday 3 February 2005 to consider options for the reform of income support and employment policies for people with disability and ways that the community sector can contribute to it.

The forum was organised by:

* The Australian Federaton of Disability Organisations
* The Australian Council of Social Service
* People with Disability Australia
* ACROD
* ACE National Network
* The National Welfare Rights Network.

The Disability Advisory Council, Victoria, supported the forum."

Government won't reveal 'misleading' welfare to work figures

Link
Penny Wong - Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Participation, Shadow Minister for Corporate Governance and Responsibility

Media Statement - 25th May 2005

The Howard Government and the Finance Department today refused to reveal basic costings information for the 'Welfare to Work' scheme, Shadow Employment Minister Penny Wong said.

In Senate Estimates, they specifically refused to reveal how much money was being saved by moving people on to the new dole payments that are central to the scheme.

Senator Wong asked Mr Phil Bowen, Budget General Manager at the Finance Department:
Perhaps you can give me this? What are the savings resulting from the reduction in the Parenting Payment and the DSP payment to the Newstart Allowance over the forward estimates? It is a very simple question.

Mr Bowen replied:
Senator, I cannot give you that, but can I say that if that figure were produced it would be a very misleading figure."

Power to the People

People Power Home Page
"People Power was launched in Sydney on Saturday 5 March 2005"

Read all about them

We are a new political movement aiming to empower people who have become invisible in our political system:

Australians have disengaged from politics on a massive scale. The proportion of our citizens who are members of political parties is amongst the lowest in the western world. All our political parties (with the exception of the Greens) are in major decline - not surprising when they have lost touch with the little people and become part of the Two Establishments.

We want to empower ordinary Australians in their roles as citizens, consumers, carers, community members, shareholders, owners of assets and members of families.

Our core values are:

• self-help
  
• empowerment
  
• community
  
• smaller government
  
• inclusion
  
• relationships and social capital
  
• ethical conduct
  

We invite Australians from all walks of life to exercise People Power to renew our democracy, to change our politics, and to re-invigorate the best of our social traditions of a fair go, egalitarianism, a hand up not a hand out, unpretentiousness, and inclusive, convivial community.

Comment

Ken Davis is a pending member of People Power.

ENABLE Campaign targets marginals

The Daily Telegraph | Disability sector to target marginals

By Danny Rose

May 30, 2005

THE peak body for Australians with disabilities has outlined a plan to pressure the Federal Government where it hurts – in marginal seats – over its attempt to slash its $30 billion welfare bill.

Australian Federation for Disability Organisations (AFDO) today highlighted 14 seats where it said the number of people on the Disability Support Pension (DSP) exceeded the number of votes needed for the seat to change hands.

The organisation opposes the Government's DSP reforms outlined in the federal Budget, which include redirecting many new applicants into a different pension system based on job-search.

The AFDO says people on the new scheme will be on average $44 a week worse off, while those on the existing scheme will receive less help to obtain work."

Comment

We urge you to support the AFDO Campaign. You can download an information kit here.

Disabled workers paying the price

Matthew Davis from Perth, who is also on DSP has written an excellent article.

Disabled workers paying the price: "What PM John Howard’s government should be doing is increasing the DSP to a rate that reflects the needs and aspirations of some of Australia’s most vulnerable people. The maximum rate for the DSP is variable from a base of about $180 per week, which many understand as below the poverty line, even before the cut-backs."

Income Inequality - Who do you believe?

St Vincent de Paul Society [Australia] spokesman John Wicks states

From 1994 to 2003, real mean incomes for the poorest Australians grew at a slower rate than those on higher incomes.

For example, someone earning $269 received only a 12 per cent rise - or $32.28. Medium earners on $449 a week enjoyed a 14 per cent, or $62.86. And high income earners, on a real mean weekly income of $975, received a 16 per cent or $156 boost.

Mr Wicks said the federal budget tax cuts were likely to increase the gap.

Dr John Falzon also comments on the "Welfare to work" plan saying it is very short sighted in respect of Australia’s future economic growth and outlook. “If we do not invest in health, housing, education and skills training for all Australians we will reduce our chances of developing a highly skilled productive workforce. If we choose to go down the US path of pushing people off welfare so as to reduce social expenditure we will lose our chance of creating a fair and compassionate Australia.” he said.

Two-class welfare disaster - Tim Colebatch - Opinion - theage.com.au

"The key fact behind welfare change is that our system splits beneficiaries into two groups. One is those deemed deserving poor, such as those on the aged pension, disability support, and sole parents. The other is the undeserving poor: the unemployed on the Newstart allowance."

Comment

This is the opposite effect to what the Government says will happen. My opinion is that the 15 hour threshold acts as a distinct disincentive for people as they attempt to recover or improve their functional capacity. As you approach the threshold, instead of simply "pressing on" a huge issue becomes - "Is it worth me trying any harder. If I work one more hour per week, I will be a lot worse off."

That's why I believe that all benefits should be equal and income tested, with a slow, smooth dropoff in benefits as earnings increase.

Cheap internet access for disabled - Breaking - Technology - smh.com.au

By Sam Varghese
May 23, 2005

A quarter of a million people - the aged, disabled and veterans - will soon be able to get low-cost internet access.

They will be eligible for dial-up connections at $5.50 a month, under a deal negotiated by Technical Aid to the Disabled Australia and the internet service provider ISPOne."

Comment

This is an excellent deal. The only question is the quality of the service. I'd be loathe to drop my current ISP if I was going to have any connection or access problems. Any feedback about the quality aspects of this service would be welcome.

John Tomlinson argues there should be equality for all, not just the rich. - On Line Opinion - 26/5/2005

Here is an extract from an excellent article.

John Tomlinson argues there should be equality for all, not just the rich. - On Line Opinion - 26/5/2005

The foresight of a blind worm and the hindsight of Mr McGoo

If the Government wants to increase the number of people in the workforce and believes that the differentials in payments between Newstart and disability support pension and parenting payments are causing people to opt for the latter, then there are options more viable than these draconian policies it is implementing. Rather than lowering the rate of payment for disability support pensions and parenting payments, it could raise the level of Newstart to make it commensurate with disability payments. This would combine these payments into a 'guaranteed minimum income' (GMI) as Professor Ronald Henderson, head of the Poverty Commission, suggested in 1975.

If such a GMI were installed, there would be no financial advantage accruing to people wishing to “benefit shop”. Presently, for those on Newstart, the combined income tax and social security withdrawal rates applying to income from work are at least 62.5 per cent and can be up to 200 per cent of additional income. This causes poverty traps and perverse financial disincentives to earning extra income. The Government has announced it will slightly decrease the withdrawal rates in July 2006 - but it will by no means eliminate them.

A far smarter idea would be to introduce a basic income paid to all permanent residents at slightly above the single age pension rate. This would abolish poverty traps, income insecurity and perverse financial disincentives simultaneously."

Apply to Canberra

"PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES URGED TO APPLY
FOR ACT PUBLIC SERVICE JOBS:

Half of next year's ACT Public Service graduate intake could be people with disabilities under a groundbreaking ACT Government scheme, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said.

'People with disabilities are valuable community members whose worth too often goes unrecognised,' Mr Stanhope said. 'Canberrans with disabilities make up a potential labour pool of more than 53,000 people - that's almost one in five members of the city's potential workforce. Getting more of these people in to work will be good news for everyone - the community, public service and people with disabilities.'"

Comment

Half of next years intake could be. Why don't we check up on this next year and see what the real percentage is.

My advice - all you disabled people out there - apply for jobs in cold old Canberra, and see how you do. Let's hold the Government accountable for this.

I've written to Mr Stanhope:

Dear Mr Stanhope,

Thank you for your encouraging Press Release. You're right, half the intake COULD be people with disabilities. The question is, what WILL it be? Would you please keep me informed regarding the actual outcome of this. As you would be aware, the Government's rate of employment of People with a Disability had declined 30% in the last 10 years.

Were you aware that last year I approached the Office of Disability to discuss possible positions I could apply for? Being disabled, I believe that being proactive is vital to gaining employment. After being given the "royal runaround" I was told, "I'm sorry, we can't discuss that with you. You'll just have to look in the papers." This was useless. I wanted to know what sort of people they employed, so I could train and prepare myself to be an excellent candidate.

I was very discouraged. If the Government's peak body on disability is not interested in talking to a highly skilled person with a disability about work options, then I don't see a lot of reason for optimism.

Sincerely

Ken Davis

Shame on Peter Dutton

Insiders - 15/05/2005: Welfare-to-work: carrot or stick?
Look very carefully at this quote from Peter Dutton. Notice how he completely avoids the question about how new applicants WILL be worse off than those currently on DSP. This is an open admission that the Government's policy will harm the most disadvantaged.

"BARRY CASSIDY: But new entrants though, will new entrants end up worse off than those currently on these benefits?

PETER DUTTON: Well, it's important to make the point, Barry, that those people who are on a DSP at the moment stay there. These are, in the large, vulnerable people. And you've got the Labor Party running around trying to scare people who are disabled and it's a shocking campaign. So the point that I make is that those people who are on a DSP stay there. New entrants from the 1 July 2006 who are assessed as having a work capacity of 15 hours or more per week will be helped through an enhanced New Start allowance."

My Comment

Dutton appears to believe that new DSP applicants are not vulnerable.

Peter Dutton says on his website:

"I want to hear what their problems or concerns are, and help in finding solutions. I hope I can use my real-life experiences to find solutions to some of these problems."

I urge you to tell him your problem and insist he find a solution.

Mental Health Workers?

This article raises the plight of the Mentally Ill. Many people perceive the DSP changes as targeted at people with physical disabilities. Frankly, these changes are likely to have more effect on DSP applicants with a mental illness. A friend of mine with Schizophrenia approached me this morning terrified she would be forced back into the workforce. She is far more heroic than Kylie, caring for an elderly mother, and struggling with a 30 year old son who is dependent on her mother! People with mental illness face even bigger barriers in the workplace. How does someone with schizophrenia or severe depression explain the gaps in their employment history? Employers are disabled by prejudice and ill-founded fear.

This article from Mental Health Workers? says: "One in five Australians will experience or be affected by some form of mental illness in their lifetime…for more than one million Australians that illness will be schizophrenia…

But despite a severe labour shortage…which will only get worse with an aging population…out of the 700-thousand people on a disability pension, 90% of them are not in any form of full-time work…

My comment

If a person is "disabled" then they are likely to be incapable of full-time work.

This figure compares miserably with other developed countries…where an average of 70% of people on disability pensions are in the workforce…

So why has Australia failed to capitalise on this untapped workforce?

Rob Ramjan is the Executive Officer of the Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW. He says despite a widespread negative stigma against people with a mental illness, the government themselves isn't providing adequate avenues for these people to find work.

'New programs need to be developed that are sensitive to the needs of people with mental illness. There are only two specialist job providers in Australia. Clubhouse is a special job service for people with mental illnesses and there are 10 of those in Australia, compared with 200 in the United States.'"

My comment

This is exactly the problem, and I see little in the Howard Government's policy to significantly improve this. The funding allocations foreshadowed are a drop in the ocean.

Gary Nairn - The Village Idiot

Listen to what Gary Nairn (Member for Eden Monaro) has to say. This is a marginal seat, so I urge you to send him a message.

merimbula.yourguide: "if they are capable of work they go on Unemployment Benefit; they do not go on Disability Support Pension,' Mr Nairn said."

Really Mr Nairn. That's actually not what the legislation either now or proposed says. Being able to work for ANY period of time, be it one hour, 10 hours or 20 hours doesn't make the disability go away. Remember, an able bodied person can work 50-80 hours per week with few ill effects. DSP is there to support people who cannot increase their work capacity to a normal level by job seeking efforts. It is higher than Newstart to compensate for the extra cost of living with a disability, not to mention the pain and suffering that you seem incapable of understanding.