A group of taxpayer-funded aged care homes funnelled $31 million back into the coffers of one of Australia's largest churches, an ABC investigation has found.
The homes include St Basil's in Melbourne, where 45 residents died in Australia's deadliest COVID outbreak.
In the past eight years, St Basil's paid more than $22 million in rent and fees to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese while receiving federal government funding.
A commercial real estate agent told Background Briefing this was double the rental market rate.
Towards the end of that period, the church was funding the lavish lifestyle of its newly appointed Archbishop, including the purchase of a $6.5 million Sydney apartment with harbour views.
... and as we read further, it just gets worse.
bgt said
11:25 AM Apr 16, 2021
This goes on with all government schemes. The indigenous funds are good example where only a small percentage of the funds get to where they were intended. Childcare is another example of money vanishing. Catholic schools is another target.
If I had the power I who give more money to the fed auditors and tighten guidelines and value for money requirements. Apply some good penalties to directors etc to ensure they follow the guidelines.
oldbloke said
11:41 AM Apr 16, 2021
bgt wrote:
This goes on with all government schemes. The indigenous funds are good example where only a small percentage of the funds get to where they were intended. Childcare is another example of money vanishing. Catholic schools is another target.
If I had the power I who give more money to the fed auditors and tighten guidelines and value for money requirements. Apply some good penalties to directors etc to ensure they follow the guidelines.
100% correct. Gov gives $ to companies all the time. And there is rarely any over sight. I've seen it, in the Ml's. Just goes to profits and then dodge paying any tax.
Someone on the dole owes a few $ and the gov screws them. Makes me sick.
-- Edited by oldbloke on Friday 16th of April 2021 11:43:09 AM
Whenarewethere said
02:43 PM Apr 16, 2021
The pensioners will have Centrelink hounding them over a few cents because they were too sick in the nursing home because millions was diverted from care!
yobarr said
06:31 PM Apr 16, 2021
oldbloke wrote:
bgt wrote:
This goes on with all government schemes. The indigenous funds are good example where only a small percentage of the funds get to where they were intended. Childcare is another example of money vanishing. Catholic schools is another target.
If I had the power I who give more money to the fed auditors and tighten guidelines and value for money requirements. Apply some good penalties to directors etc to ensure they follow the guidelines.
100% correct. Gov gives $ to companies all the time. And there is rarely any over sight. I've seen it, in the Ml's. Just goes to profits and then dodge paying any tax.
Someone on the dole owes a few $ and the gov screws them. Makes me sick.
-- Edited by oldbloke on Friday 16th of April 2021 11:43:09 AM
"Someone on the dole owes a few $ and the gov screws them" you say.Perhaps these bludgers could consider taking one of the many thousands of jobs presently available? Nah,that would be too hard. "Why bother? We get paid good money for doing nothing".Don't ever try to tell me that there are no jobs available.Rubbish.No cheers here,as,like many,I have no choice but to contribute to supporting these bludgers.
peter67 said
06:43 PM Apr 16, 2021
Don't fancy your chances re accountability, we've just been through the biggest bank rip off scheme ever with a Royal Commission and not ONE of those CEO's even looked like going to jail.
Papou said
07:01 PM Apr 16, 2021
Maybe a head s up for all Greek Comunities and said Churches to state what makes this jasper worth so much for such a lavish lifestyle!!??
What herxactly does he do or accomplish for the above..
Makes my Blood boil when one sees how some monks /priests live on Mt Athos who have dedicated their lives for their belief and then we witness a head of the Church making a mockery of the whole Greek orthodox Archdiocese!!.
First plane back where he came from Covid or no Covid...
the rocket said
07:36 PM Apr 16, 2021
The thought of going into a nursing home now terrifies me because of all the s@it we are hearing about some nursing homes.
Trevor 57 said
03:45 AM Apr 17, 2021
why should anyone be surprised that churches are greedy and self serving
Izabarack said
06:59 AM Apr 17, 2021
Interesting story given the lifestyles of most of the Religious leaders around the world. That includes a least one standout example leader of a christian group.
oldbloke said
08:06 AM Apr 19, 2021
yobarr wrote:
oldbloke wrote:
bgt wrote:
This goes on with all government schemes. The indigenous funds are good example where only a small percentage of the funds get to where they were intended. Childcare is another example of money vanishing. Catholic schools is another target.
If I had the power I who give more money to the fed auditors and tighten guidelines and value for money requirements. Apply some good penalties to directors etc to ensure they follow the guidelines.
100% correct. Gov gives $ to companies all the time. And there is rarely any over sight. I've seen it, in the Ml's. Just goes to profits and then dodge paying any tax.
Someone on the dole owes a few $ and the gov screws them. Makes me sick.
-- Edited by oldbloke on Friday 16th of April 2021 11:43:09 AM
"Someone on the dole owes a few $ and the gov screws them" you say.Perhaps these bludgers could consider taking one of the many thousands of jobs presently available? Nah,that would be too hard. "Why bother? We get paid good money for doing nothing".Don't ever try to tell me that there are no jobs available.Rubbish.No cheers here,as,like many,I have no choice but to contribute to supporting these bludgers.
The diatribe of an individual who is ignorant of the realities of being made unemployed through no fault of his own. Also an individual who has zero empathy for anyone doing it hard. In essence a sad excuse for a human being.
BTW. Dont bother applying for a job where decent written skills are required.
yobarr said
10:42 AM Apr 19, 2021
oldbloke wrote:
yobarr wrote:
oldbloke wrote:
bgt wrote:
This goes on with all government schemes. The indigenous funds are good example where only a small percentage of the funds get to where they were intended. Childcare is another example of money vanishing. Catholic schools is another target.
If I had the power I who give more money to the fed auditors and tighten guidelines and value for money requirements. Apply some good penalties to directors etc to ensure they follow the guidelines.
100% correct. Gov gives $ to companies all the time. And there is rarely any over sight. I've seen it, in the Ml's. Just goes to profits and then dodge paying any tax.
Someone on the dole owes a few $ and the gov screws them. Makes me sick.
-- Edited by oldbloke on Friday 16th of April 2021 11:43:09 AM
"Someone on the dole owes a few $ and the gov screws them" you say.Perhaps these bludgers could consider taking one of the many thousands of jobs presently available? Nah,that would be too hard. "Why bother? We get paid good money for doing nothing".Don't ever try to tell me that there are no jobs available.Rubbish.No cheers here,as,like many,I have no choice but to contribute to supporting these bludgers.
The diatribe of an individual who is ignorant of the realities of being made unemployed through no fault of his own. Also an individual who has zero empathy for anyone doing it hard. In essence a sad excuse for a human being.
BTW. Dont bother applying for a job where decent written skills are required.
Thankyou for this obviously well-thought-out response,posted three days after my mine,which clearly caused you some distress? Contrary to your illogical assertions,I do indeed have first-hand knowledge of being unemployed.For many months,an old Valiant wagon was my home,and each day I would walk the streets in industrial areas,asking for any work they could make available for me,be it an hour or a day.At one stage I was asleep on the wharf at Carnarvon,having spent all day looking for work in that town,when I was awakened by a man loud thumping on the roof of my car. Turned out that it was the owner of a fishing boat,the Anna Clara3,and he was in desperate need of assistance,as one of his crew members had not fronted.After I had grabbed a few clothes etc,off we went,with me having zero experience,but plenty of enthusiasm.This job involved working 19 hrs per day,with only a 10 minute break for lunch,which always was spaghetti,and it lasted a month.I then headed further North to help build a waterpipe line across the desert at Pannawonica.Don't ever tell me that there's no work available.Rubbish.Now that I have a few dollars,having worked hard,I see things from the other side,with many of the unemployed sitting around drinking beer, smoking hooch,and discussing how to get all sorts of extra "assistance" from the 'Gummint'.Forum rules would prohibit me from posting a few home truths,but again I will say that there is work available for those who want to work.Such work may not pay $1000/wk,and it may not be in their back yard,but there is work everywhere for those who WANT to work.Have a great day.
Sorry Yobarr. For misspelling your name. We had a business that had approx 30 full time employees and in season employed another 30 casuals. It was reasonably hard work but not skilled. We always paid above award rates. Yet we always struggled for workers. The town had plenty on welfare. They would come to us, work one day and not come back. That kept them on welfare. Australia has genuine unemployed and those who are unemployable. But some folks like to generalize. That's ok but be fair about generalizing.
yobarr said
01:22 PM Apr 19, 2021
bgt wrote:
Sorry Yobarr. For misspelling your name. We had a business that had approx 30 full time employees and in season employed another 30 casuals. It was reasonably hard work but not skilled. We always paid above award rates. Yet we always struggled for workers. The town had plenty on welfare. They would come to us, work one day and not come back. That kept them on welfare. Australia has genuine unemployed and those who are unemployable. But some folks like to generalize. That's ok but be fair about generalizing.
Hi Bruce..."Unemployable" you suggest,and that about sums it up.As long as these bludgers are fed enough money to allow them to live in the manner to which they quickly become accustomed,we have an uphill battle ahead.There seems to be a total lack of self-respect,and pride,among many unemployed,who won't take one of the many jobs available,but prefer to sit around and bleat "Poor us".Again,I will say that there are jobs available for people who are willing to "have a go",which may involve moving camp,and may mean working for a minimum wage,but at least they're working.There is a national shortage of truck drivers,for example.Why? Long hours,little family life,but good money if you want to work.When I gave up interstate driving,15 years ago,I was clearing well over $1500/week.No jobs? Rubbish.Cheers
PS Don't worry about misspelling my name...there once was a member who loved to 'accidentally' call me 'Yobbo' or some such garbage.Take care.
oldbloke said
04:45 PM Apr 19, 2021
"Thankyou for this obviously well-thought-out response,posted three days after my mine,which clearly caused you some distress? "
"I do indeed have first-hand knowledge of being unemployed.For many months,an old Valiant wagon was my home,and each day I would walk the streets in industrial areas,asking for any work they could make available for me,be it an hour or a day."
Yabarr, seem by your own definition you were a bludger.
peter67 said
05:45 PM Apr 19, 2021
Well said Yobbo, I mean YobaRR :)
Lostone said
06:32 PM Apr 19, 2021
Looks like someone is looking for an argument.
yobarr said
07:07 PM Apr 19, 2021
oldbloke wrote:
"I do indeed have first-hand knowledge of being unemployed.For many months,an old Valiant wagon was my home,and each day I would walk the streets in industrial areas,asking for any work they could make available for me,be it an hour or a day."
Yabarr, seem by your own definition you were a bludger.
Without wanting to confuse you too much,please could you explain to the forum how I could be considered a bludger.? Despite "donating" many hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Taxman over the years,NEVER have I received any money from the Govt,and I now am a self-funded retiree.And might I suggest that your probably intentional misspelling of my name is pathetic? It takes little effort to be civil.Again,I ask,how do you consider me to be a bludger? Cheers
"I do indeed have first-hand knowledge of being unemployed.For many months,an old Valiant wagon was my home,and each day I would walk the streets in industrial areas,asking for any work they could make available for me,be it an hour or a day."
Yabarr, seem by your own definition you were a bludger.
Without wanting to confuse you too much,please could you explain to the forum how I could be considered a bludger.? Despite "donating" many hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Taxman over the years,NEVER have I received any money from the Govt,and I now am a self-funded retiree.And might I suggest that your probably intentional misspelling of my name is pathetic? It takes little effort to be civil.Again,I ask,how do you consider me to be a bludger? Cheers
Simples, you were unemployed yobarr, just like all the other in the country that are or were unemployed. As you spoke about in your first post in this thread.
You see in your first post you referred to all unemployed as bludger.
yobarr said
07:47 PM Apr 19, 2021
oldbloke wrote:
yobarr wrote:
oldbloke wrote:
"I do indeed have first-hand knowledge of being unemployed.For many months,an old Valiant wagon was my home,and each day I would walk the streets in industrial areas,asking for any work they could make available for me,be it an hour or a day."
Yabarr, seem by your own definition you were a bludger.
Without wanting to confuse you too much,please could you explain to the forum how I could be considered a bludger.? Despite "donating" many hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Taxman over the years,NEVER have I received any money from the Govt,and I now am a self-funded retiree.And might I suggest that your probably intentional misspelling of my name is pathetic? It takes little effort to be civil.Again,I ask,how do you consider me to be a bludger? Cheers
Simples, you were unemployed yobarr, just like all the other in the country that are or were unemployed. As you spoke about in your first post in this thread.
You see in your first post you referred to all unemployed as bludger.
This may well confuse you,but a dole bludger is someone who lives off the efforts of others.Never have I done this,and I never will.Waaaay back,I was lying in the back of the Vsliant station wagon,pondering my next move,as the fuel tank was empty,I had not eaten for several days,and I had tge princely sum of $5 in my pocket.Nearby was a hotel,so I decided to get hissed on my last $5.As luck would have it,in the pub I met an older chap who befriended me,gave me a small room in his modest home,and went out of his way to find a job for me.Next week,I was working on an overland pipeline at Wagerup,and living in the Quindanning hotel. ALWAYS there is work for those who WANT to work.Hope this helps you understand that,in order to be classed as a bludger,you need to be living off the efforts of others.NEVER have I done that.Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Tuesday 20th of April 2021 05:51:16 AM
Yobarr mate, So your saying if someone is unemployed they should not claim an entitlement, namely the dole. If they do they are a bludger Keep in mind mate many of these people have worked for many years and like all of us paid taxes.
Mmmm Well let me educate you.
There is a system in this country call elections. And the law makers of this country are elected into the Federal Parliament every 4 years or so. They (the law makers/our elected representatives) have decided along time ago that if you become unemployed and meet the requirements you are entitled to be payed a fortnightly payment usually referred to as the dole but actually now referred to as job seeker payment. Important point, this is a legal entitlement.
Apparently you decided not to claim this payment when you were unemployed? Jolly good luck to you. my hero (sarcasm) And good luck to you. BUT if anyone claims it they are "bludgers" right?
This being the case and by simple extension you have just referred to all of the aged pensioners on this site as bludgers because they are also claiming a legally entitled payment from the Federal Government. And also all those on sickness or NDIS payments.
Are cripples and blind people bludgers too? They usually get a payment.
Oh, and if you think they (dole recipients) are bleeding the country dry of money try this bloke, never paid a cent in taxes if he could get off the hook.
You see Yobarr if someone has a legal entitlement I have no issue with that. (seems you do) What do you think your doing with the name calling? Trying to make people feel guilty? Guilty of what? But I do have issue with know alls name calling, ( Yes you were the one who called them dole bludgers ) belittling and tarring a complete group of people with the same brush. Your in no position to judge individuals because you don't have any of the facts. That's the job of the DHS. Each case is different mate.
Yobarr, you an ex truck driver. I'm sure you know nearly all truck drivers, take drugs, drink and drive, tailgate, are usually over loaded carry two log books, don't get their truck maintained correctly, often have un-roadworthy tyres and remove dangerous goods diamonds to take short cuts through the tunnels in Melbourne? Oh, and are tax dodgers and take far too many sickies. All No hopers. 100% true mate. We should have more trains and sack all the truck drivers. That will fix the problem.
I feel sorry for you. Your full of anger.
bgt said
08:45 AM Apr 20, 2021
oldbloke, " I'm sure you know nearly all truck drivers, take drugs, drink and drive, tailgate, are usually over loaded carry two log books, don't get their truck maintained correctly, often have un-roadworthy tyres and remove dangerous goods diamonds to take short cuts through the tunnels in Melbourne? Oh, and are tax dodgers and take far too many sickies. All No hopers. 100% true mate. We should have more trains and sack all the truck drivers. smile That will fix the problem." that's a huge insult to the majority of truck drivers. If it's true show me the facts.
The trouble with all forums is that some folk choose to read between the lines and ignore the 'intent' of a post, line, sentence, paragraph.
TheHeaths said
09:09 AM Apr 20, 2021
bgt wrote:
oldbloke, " I'm sure you know nearly all truck drivers, take drugs, drink and drive, tailgate, are usually over loaded carry two log books, don't get their truck maintained correctly, often have un-roadworthy tyres and remove dangerous goods diamonds to take short cuts through the tunnels in Melbourne? Oh, and are tax dodgers and take far too many sickies. All No hopers. 100% true mate. We should have more trains and sack all the truck drivers. smile That will fix the problem." that's a huge insult to the majority of truck drivers. If it's true show me the facts.
The trouble with all forums is that some folk choose to read between the lines and ignore the 'intent' of a post, line, sentence, paragraph.
Bruce,
I am certain oldblokes comment was made to show that taking an opinion or information about a small percentage of a group, and applying it to all members of that group is both unfair and incorrect.
Just as his point about the bad things some truck drivers do is inflammatory and unfair on truck drivers as a whole, so comments about bludging, dope smoking unemployed is unfair to the majority of those unemployed trying to get restarted with their lives.
Too many people find it too easy to make wide ranging statements to justify their arguments. Perhaps one of the quotes from earlier in this thread could be taken to heart a little more. Or perhaps the irony is lost on some!
-- Edited by TheHeaths on Tuesday 20th of April 2021 09:11:49 AM
bgt said
09:19 AM Apr 20, 2021
TheHeaths see my second paragraph. I was being cynical. And that's my point.
Wanda said
09:21 AM Apr 20, 2021
oldbloke wrote:
Yobarr mate, So your saying if someone is unemployed they should not claim an entitlement, namely the dole. If they do they are a bludger Keep in mind mate many of these people have worked for many years and like all of us paid taxes.
Mmmm Well let me educate you.
There is a system in this country call elections. And the law makers of this country are elected into the Federal Parliament every 4 years or so. They (the law makers/our elected representatives) have decided along time ago that if you become unemployed and meet the requirements you are entitled to be payed a fortnightly payment usually referred to as the dole but actually now referred to as job seeker payment. Important point, this is a legal entitlement.
Apparently you decided not to claim this payment when you were unemployed? Jolly good luck to you. my hero (sarcasm) And good luck to you. BUT if anyone claims it they are "bludgers" right?
This being the case and by simple extension you have just referred to all of the aged pensioners on this site as bludgers because they are also claiming a legally entitled payment from the Federal Government. And also all those on sickness or NDIS payments.
Are cripples and blind people bludgers too? They usually get a payment.
Oh, and if you think they (dole recipients) are bleeding the country dry of money try this bloke, never paid a cent in taxes if he could get off the hook.
You see Yobarr if someone has a legal entitlement I have no issue with that. (seems you do) What do you think your doing with the name calling? Trying to make people feel guilty? Guilty of what? But I do have issue with know alls name calling, ( Yes you were the one who called them dole bludgers ) belittling and tarring a complete group of people with the same brush. Your in no position to judge individuals because you don't have any of the facts. That's the job of the DHS. Each case is different mate.
Yobarr, you an ex truck driver. I'm sure you know nearly all truck drivers, take drugs, drink and drive, tailgate, are usually over loaded carry two log books, don't get their truck maintained correctly, often have un-roadworthy tyres and remove dangerous goods diamonds to take short cuts through the tunnels in Melbourne? Oh, and are tax dodgers and take far too many sickies. All No hopers. 100% true mate. We should have more trains and sack all the truck drivers. That will fix the problem.
I feel sorry for you. Your full of anger.
WOW OB!.............you know........I THINK YOUR 100% CORRECT OB!
Yobarr, and your other mate, stop generalising, not everyone on unemployment benefits is a bludger as YOU suggest.
Ian
-- Edited by Wanda on Tuesday 20th of April 2021 09:23:23 AM
oldbloke said
10:15 AM Apr 20, 2021
bgt wrote:
oldbloke, " I'm sure you know nearly all truck drivers, take drugs, drink and drive, tailgate, are usually over loaded carry two log books, don't get their truck maintained correctly, often have un-roadworthy tyres and remove dangerous goods diamonds to take short cuts through the tunnels in Melbourne? Oh, and are tax dodgers and take far too many sickies. All No hopers. 100% true mate. We should have more trains and sack all the truck drivers. smile That will fix the problem." that's a huge insult to the majority of truck drivers. If it's true show me the facts.
The trouble with all forums is that some folk choose to read between the lines and ignore the 'intent' of a post, line, sentence, paragraph.
I was being sarcastic. I thought that was obvious. Because generalising and tarring a portion of the population is just wrong. But that's my point Yobarr, and I believe you agree, said that the unemployed are ALL bludgers right?
I didn't see too many facts about all the dole bludgers in Yobarrs post. IMO the vast majority are legitimate.
What dole bludger knockers conveniently forget is that its a legal entitlement. Until they cheat the system they are tax payers claiming what is legaly theirs.
Craig1 said
10:48 AM Apr 20, 2021
O B, we have an election of Lower House , House of Representatives every three years or a bit less. An Upper House Senate manipulation is also held at the same time, where a number of people get in somehow with preference manipulations.
The Prime Minister is then selected by the winning party from a House of Representatives winning candidate. Not by us.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-16/st-basils-greek-church-taxpayer-funding/100068128
A group of taxpayer-funded aged care homes funnelled $31 million back into the coffers of one of Australia's largest churches, an ABC investigation has found.
The homes include St Basil's in Melbourne, where 45 residents died in Australia's deadliest COVID outbreak.
In the past eight years, St Basil's paid more than $22 million in rent and fees to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese while receiving federal government funding.
A commercial real estate agent told Background Briefing this was double the rental market rate.
Towards the end of that period, the church was funding the lavish lifestyle of its newly appointed Archbishop, including the purchase of a $6.5 million Sydney apartment with harbour views.
... and as we read further, it just gets worse.
If I had the power I who give more money to the fed auditors and tighten guidelines and value for money requirements. Apply some good penalties to directors etc to ensure they follow the guidelines.
100% correct. Gov gives $ to companies all the time. And there is rarely any over sight. I've seen it, in the Ml's. Just goes to profits and then dodge paying any tax.
Someone on the dole owes a few $ and the gov screws them. Makes me sick.
-- Edited by oldbloke on Friday 16th of April 2021 11:43:09 AM
The pensioners will have Centrelink hounding them over a few cents because they were too sick in the nursing home because millions was diverted from care!
"Someone on the dole owes a few $ and the gov screws them" you say.Perhaps these bludgers could consider taking one of the many thousands of jobs presently available? Nah,that would be too hard. "Why bother? We get paid good money for doing nothing".Don't ever try to tell me that there are no jobs available.Rubbish.No cheers here,as,like many,I have no choice but to contribute to supporting these bludgers.
What herxactly does he do or accomplish for the above..
Makes my Blood boil when one sees how some monks /priests live on Mt Athos who have dedicated their lives for their belief and then we witness a head of the Church making a mockery of the whole Greek orthodox Archdiocese!!.
First plane back where he came from Covid or no Covid...
The thought of going into a nursing home now terrifies me because of all the s@it we are hearing about some nursing homes.
Interesting story given the lifestyles of most of the Religious leaders around the world. That includes a least one standout example leader of a christian group.
The diatribe of an individual who is ignorant of the realities of being made unemployed through no fault of his own. Also an individual who has zero empathy for anyone doing it hard. In essence a sad excuse for a human being.
BTW. Dont bother applying for a job where decent written skills are required.
Thankyou for this obviously well-thought-out response,posted three days after my mine,which clearly caused you some distress? Contrary to your illogical assertions,I do indeed have first-hand knowledge of being unemployed.For many months,an old Valiant wagon was my home,and each day I would walk the streets in industrial areas,asking for any work they could make available for me,be it an hour or a day.At one stage I was asleep on the wharf at Carnarvon,having spent all day looking for work in that town,when I was awakened by a man loud thumping on the roof of my car. Turned out that it was the owner of a fishing boat,the Anna Clara3,and he was in desperate need of assistance,as one of his crew members had not fronted.After I had grabbed a few clothes etc,off we went,with me having zero experience,but plenty of enthusiasm.This job involved working 19 hrs per day,with only a 10 minute break for lunch,which always was spaghetti,and it lasted a month.I then headed further North to help build a waterpipe line across the desert at Pannawonica.Don't ever tell me that there's no work available.Rubbish.Now that I have a few dollars,having worked hard,I see things from the other side,with many of the unemployed sitting around drinking beer, smoking hooch,and discussing how to get all sorts of extra "assistance" from the 'Gummint'.Forum rules would prohibit me from posting a few home truths,but again I will say that there is work available for those who want to work.Such work may not pay $1000/wk,and it may not be in their back yard,but there is work everywhere for those who WANT to work.Have a great day.
Hi Bruce..."Unemployable" you suggest,and that about sums it up.As long as these bludgers are fed enough money to allow them to live in the manner to which they quickly become accustomed,we have an uphill battle ahead.There seems to be a total lack of self-respect,and pride,among many unemployed,who won't take one of the many jobs available,but prefer to sit around and bleat "Poor us".Again,I will say that there are jobs available for people who are willing to "have a go",which may involve moving camp,and may mean working for a minimum wage,but at least they're working.There is a national shortage of truck drivers,for example.Why? Long hours,little family life,but good money if you want to work.When I gave up interstate driving,15 years ago,I was clearing well over $1500/week.No jobs? Rubbish.Cheers
PS Don't worry about misspelling my name...there once was a member who loved to 'accidentally' call me 'Yobbo' or some such garbage.Take care.
"Thankyou for this obviously well-thought-out response,posted three days after my mine,which clearly caused you some distress? "
Yobarr mate, see my last post.
thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t67499696/wdhs-verses-upgrades/
Mate, you need to practice what you preach.
"I do indeed have first-hand knowledge of being unemployed.For many months,an old Valiant wagon was my home,and each day I would walk the streets in industrial areas,asking for any work they could make available for me,be it an hour or a day."
Yabarr, seem by your own definition you were a bludger.
Without wanting to confuse you too much,please could you explain to the forum how I could be considered a bludger.? Despite "donating" many hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Taxman over the years,NEVER have I received any money from the Govt,and I now am a self-funded retiree.And might I suggest that your probably intentional misspelling of my name is pathetic? It takes little effort to be civil.Again,I ask,how do you consider me to be a bludger? Cheers
Simples, you were unemployed yobarr, just like all the other in the country that are or were unemployed. As you spoke about in your first post in this thread.
You see in your first post you referred to all unemployed as bludger.
This may well confuse you,but a dole bludger is someone who lives off the efforts of others.Never have I done this,and I never will.Waaaay back,I was lying in the back of the Vsliant station wagon,pondering my next move,as the fuel tank was empty,I had not eaten for several days,and I had tge princely sum of $5 in my pocket.Nearby was a hotel,so I decided to get hissed on my last $5.As luck would have it,in the pub I met an older chap who befriended me,gave me a small room in his modest home,and went out of his way to find a job for me.Next week,I was working on an overland pipeline at Wagerup,and living in the Quindanning hotel. ALWAYS there is work for those who WANT to work.Hope this helps you understand that,in order to be classed as a bludger,you need to be living off the efforts of others.NEVER have I done that.Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Tuesday 20th of April 2021 05:51:16 AM
Yobarr mate,
So your saying if someone is unemployed they should not claim an entitlement, namely the dole. If they do they are a bludger Keep in mind mate many of these people have worked for many years and like all of us paid taxes.
Mmmm Well let me educate you.
There is a system in this country call elections. And the law makers of this country are elected into the Federal Parliament every 4 years or so. They (the law makers/our elected representatives) have decided along time ago that if you become unemployed and meet the requirements you are entitled to be payed a fortnightly payment usually referred to as the dole but actually now referred to as job seeker payment. Important point, this is a legal entitlement.
Apparently you decided not to claim this payment when you were unemployed?
Jolly good luck to you. my hero (sarcasm) And good luck to you. BUT if anyone claims it they are "bludgers" right?
This being the case and by simple extension you have just referred to all of the aged pensioners on this site as bludgers because they are also claiming a legally entitled payment from the Federal Government. And also all those on sickness or NDIS payments.
Are cripples and blind people bludgers too? They usually get a payment.
Oh, and if you think they (dole recipients) are bleeding the country dry of money try this bloke, never paid a cent in taxes if he could get off the hook.
https://youtu.be/e97kq2XflKE I don't like it but it was a legal entitlement.
You see Yobarr if someone has a legal entitlement I have no issue with that. (seems you do) What do you think your doing with the name calling? Trying to make people feel guilty? Guilty of what? But I do have issue with know alls name calling, ( Yes you were the one who called them dole bludgers ) belittling and tarring a complete group of people with the same brush. Your in no position to judge individuals because you don't have any of the facts. That's the job of the DHS. Each case is different mate.
Yobarr, you an ex truck driver. I'm sure you know nearly all truck drivers, take drugs, drink and drive, tailgate, are usually over loaded carry two log books, don't get their truck maintained correctly, often have un-roadworthy tyres and remove dangerous goods diamonds to take short cuts through the tunnels in Melbourne? Oh, and are tax dodgers and take far too many sickies. All No hopers. 100% true mate. We should have more trains and sack all the truck drivers.
That will fix the problem. 
I feel sorry for you. Your full of anger.
oldbloke, " I'm sure you know nearly all truck drivers, take drugs, drink and drive, tailgate, are usually over loaded carry two log books, don't get their truck maintained correctly, often have un-roadworthy tyres and remove dangerous goods diamonds to take short cuts through the tunnels in Melbourne? Oh, and are tax dodgers and take far too many sickies. All No hopers. 100% true mate. We should have more trains and sack all the truck drivers. smile That will fix the problem." that's a huge insult to the majority of truck drivers. If it's true show me the facts.
The trouble with all forums is that some folk choose to read between the lines and ignore the 'intent' of a post, line, sentence, paragraph.
Bruce,
I am certain oldblokes comment was made to show that taking an opinion or information about a small percentage of a group, and applying it to all members of that group is both unfair and incorrect.
Just as his point about the bad things some truck drivers do is inflammatory and unfair on truck drivers as a whole, so comments about bludging, dope smoking unemployed is unfair to the majority of those unemployed trying to get restarted with their lives.
Too many people find it too easy to make wide ranging statements to justify their arguments. Perhaps one of the quotes from earlier in this thread could be taken to heart a little more. Or perhaps the irony is lost on some!
-- Edited by TheHeaths on Tuesday 20th of April 2021 09:11:49 AM
WOW OB!.............you know........I THINK YOUR 100% CORRECT OB!
Yobarr, and your other mate, stop generalising, not everyone on unemployment benefits is a bludger as YOU suggest.
Ian
-- Edited by Wanda on Tuesday 20th of April 2021 09:23:23 AM
I was being sarcastic. I thought that was obvious. Because generalising and tarring a portion of the population is just wrong. But that's my point Yobarr, and I believe you agree, said that the unemployed are ALL bludgers right?
I didn't see too many facts about all the dole bludgers in Yobarrs post. IMO the vast majority are legitimate.
What dole bludger knockers conveniently forget is that its a legal entitlement. Until they cheat the system they are tax payers claiming what is legaly theirs.
The Prime Minister is then selected by the winning party from a House of Representatives winning candidate. Not by us.