Dianah Mieglich
As we head towards 2050 and beyond, our society will be faced with many challenges.
Climate change, food security, equality, justice, health and welfare challenges are but a few. Here I share my thoughts and observations about many current and continuing issues. I would be pleased to receive your feedback and I invite you to join me in the conversations.
Living in poverty & being unemployed in Australia – what does that really look like?
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Many different approaches to eradiating poverty have been attempted in our country, however approaches which focus only on economic growth have proved to be unsustainable.
Our Government must create an environment whereby unemployed Australians and those living below the poverty line are able to re-claim their dignity and their basic human rights.
Human rights in Australia have largely been developed under Australian Parliamentary democracy but it would seem that our Parliament doesn’t really understand what it is like to be unemployed or in a cycle of poverty. There is increasing international evidence that when governments adopt anti-poverty plans, they can make meaningful steps to reduce overall levels of poverty.
You may have heard the words before or even uttered them yourself, words such as ‘dole bludger’, ‘jobless’, ‘unemployed’, ‘idle’, useless and ‘redundant’.
These words evoke pain in the eyes of a parent trying feed their child or a carer who has not had a break from caring, not even for a minute, for months. Those words are often interchanged and embellished with offensive language. Those words cut to the core of most Centrelink Income Support recipients. People who often don’t have the energy or self-esteem to respond.
I have a proud background in Public Service; in what some would regard as the most difficult of service delivery agencies our Government has in place to support our society, that being the Department of Human Services, Centrelink.
For many years I worked as a ‘customer service advisor’ in a regional ‘customer service centre’. No two days were the same. No two ‘customers’ were the same.
I unequivocally support the efforts of the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS). I support an increase in the basic rate of income support for all welfare recipients. There is an increasing demand for services but this has not been met by additional assistance from any levels of government.
You only have to speak with any NGO involved in assisting people to overcome barriers to living meaningful lives to know that their finite resources are stretched. These organisations also advocate for strong communities, and for justice and fairness in our society, these organisations understand that bringing a family out of poverty has so many tangible benefits.
One such organisation is ACOSS. They are the peak body for the community services and welfare sector and the national voice for the needs of people affected by poverty and inequality.
ACOSS' vision is for a fair, inclusive and sustainable Australia where all individuals and communities can participate in and benefit from social and economic life.
We, as a society have a moral responsibility to support the disadvantaged and impoverished and lift them out of poverty and welfare dependency. You can’t achieve that on $32 per day.
I would encourage you to learn more about the remarkable work ACOSS and locally the work of SACOSS..
Visit http://www.acoss.org.au/policy
I would be keen to hear your thoughts?
Comments
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Wednesday, 23 May 2018Hi Dianah,
After reading your article it has made me look harder at the financial status of those on welfare, as a welfare recipient myself i strongly believe that the government needs to take a harder look at the financial status of the lower income households and how and why they are struggling. The government needs to realise that what they offer financially isn't sustainable for families to survive happily. -
Wednesday, 23 May 2018
I found this article to be very well written!
I especially like your opinion on how the lower class is viewed by the upper class and how these double standards can severely affect the most vulnerable people in our community.
Well done! -
Wednesday, 23 May 2018
Thankyou for your article,
I agree with your view.when faced with problems like homelesness and poverty it is very difficult to not become depressed and overwhelmed.When in this situation it is hard to think beyond that and need help to become a constructive member of society again -
Wednesday, 23 May 2018
Hello Dianah.
I agree that the names we get called are inappropriate and I believe that by these names being called a lot of people lose confidence in the ability to find work for themselves. -
Wednesday, 23 May 2018
Very well said and written !
I am learning ! -
Wednesday, 23 May 2018
Hi Dianah,
Thank you for your blog. I very much resonate with your explanation. In today's society, people want to work and contribute, but many times they can find themselves in the wave of redundancy or stay without work, from one or the other reason. It will be very difficult for them to regain their self esteem, feeling that they are worth enough to continue where they stopped, particularly with high education. The support is necessary, for all walks of life, so thank you for your support . -
Wednesday, 23 May 2018
Hi Diana,
I would like to express my support to your article. I agree that, government do not support or create venues to diminish and help australians under poverty line and in jobless situation. This create a violation to our human rights in a country with so many resources to support its population.
Hello i am a person who recently left home and i fully agree that it is difficulty for people on benefits to move out a low income situations when living on the equivalent of $32 dollars a day and i thank you for all bringing it to light. Thank you.