2 July 2012

Pension bludging scum

| 1337Hax0r
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Now that I am a member of the great unwashed unemployed looking for work, I find I have to mix with some of the professional unemployed. I say professional, because some of them have turned it into a living of sorts.

I was talking to a couple who I’d seen around the traps. Both seemed like nice people, till I got to know them a bit more. It turns out both are drug users, and both are ripping off the system for as much as they can. She just doesn’t want to work, and keeps complaining about having to put forms in the past till she spun a BS story about emotional stress to her doctor, and now she’s on the pension, earing $750 plus a fortnight. He’s off on ‘compo’ while he secretly does cash in hand work. Says his back hurts but I’ve seen him lifting and carrying stuff that would normally take two people to lift it.

I ran into another guy, also a drug user. He had a recent conviction for DUI so he lost his job. He also spun a story to his doctor saying the drugs were tripping him out and was granted the pension. He laughed as he related to how he bullshitted his way into an extra $200 a fortnight over and above the unemployment benefit.

Then there is the mother who has never had a job in her life. She’s had two kids by two different men. She told me how she plans to get around the new cuts to sole parents pension by just having a kid every six years. She started making moves on me when she heard I’d got a redundancy pay out.

The only half decent one I met has an obvious mental disability but even then she goes off to training courses, and just drops out if she finds them boring. Because she’s on a pension instead of the unemployment benefit she has access to thousands of dollars worth of training, and no penalties if she does not turn up.

I paid taxes for years and years, and hefty taxes too. When / if I am eligible for unemployment benefit, I will get $609 a fortnight. That includes rent assistance of about $120 a fortnight. People on the pension though get over $750 a fortnight. They don’t have to work, but with just one exception, everyone I have seen so far is capable of some sort of work. Lots of them have cars. If you can drive and own a car, then you’re obviously capable of functioning enough in society to obtain a licence and register a car. As far as I am concerned, that means you’re not mentally disabled enough not to work. I have to urge the government to do some independent assessments on people on the pension. Anyone who can drive should automatically be deemed mentally competent enough to work. If a person is deemed mentally incapable of working, they should also be deemed mentally incapable of driving.

If you are a drug addict, too bad. You chose to stuff your life up. I don’t see why you should get more than some one who is genuinely looking for work, or why workers should be giving you a single cent. If you can lift furniture and pack store shelves, then yeah, you can work too. Any person caught working under the counter should be deemed ineligible for government payouts such as welfare. The same for those hiring them. Anyone caught doing physical work when they claim they can’t due to injury or disability should have their pension cut. It seems for a lot of these people, getting on the pension is some sort of dream because it means years of never having to work again.

I’m not saying that there are not people with genuine disabilities and anxiety issues who do not deserve a pension. Surprisingly, most of those that I have met are different from the bludgers in one very big way. They all want to work. They all want a better life. They all want to improve themselves. They all have drive and personal integrity. I met one woman who has cerebral palsy, and is in a wheel chair. She wants to do office work, has studied extensively to do so, and regularly writes applications for jobs. Meanwhile, all the healthy bludgers give out excuses for not working, don’t apply for any jobs, cruise on the pension with their fake illnesses and scum cigarettes off of each other. Something has to change. I sense a ‘dob in a bludger’ appointment in my future.

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Even X-Druggies get frustrated with current users, they don’t do much for helping people believe in us. There are heaps more than just government hand outs they use and abuse so they can get more drugs including each other and younger people starting out in their addiction. I developed an addiction while I was working, I ended up losing my job because I was using drugs to help me in my job. I was influenced by older friends and had not been protected from being in the company of drug users and alcohol when I was a kid. I have not used drugs in at least 6 years, I stopped smoking cigarettes at the same time. Initially I stopped drinking alcohol too but succumbed to the demon drink and gambling. Church is still an option.

CanberraChristina10:07 pm 03 Jul 12

A_Cog said :

… because you were born poor, stuck on the bottom rung, or had crappy parents who damaged you before you could appreciate how to undo their work.

I can’t comment on being damaged by your parents, but being born poor is no excuse for being stuck on the bottom rung.

I was born poor. I’m far from poor now. There is a wealth of opportunity in this country for any person of any background (except perhaps indigenous people in remote communities – that’s another issue for another day).

G-Fresh said :

devils_advocate said :

Delish said :

How would you feel if Australia moves to what NZ is possibly thinking about which is drug testing for welfare receivers?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10816842

That your welfare is dependent on you being ‘job ready’ and so this means being drug free?

What would you rate as being drug dependent?

A smoker of pot, an alcoholic, amphetamine user, a doctor shopper on morphine etc

LOL. Alcoholism and nose candy are practically prerequisites for my job.

How are things in the heavy haulage business?

I thought he was referring to either journalism or the rock music caper.

GBT said :

Roundhead89 said :

I have Asperger’s Syndrome (a form of autism) and suffer from depression and schizophrenia. I tried working for ten years and was constantly bullied and victimised by way of being ostracised and subject to constant complaints to bosses from other staff. After being admitted to the psych ward after a nervous breakdown and suicide attempt I decided I could not go through the trauma of working again so I reluctantly went onto the Disability Support Pension.

Today I still live with my parents. I cannot move out and will be dependent on other people for the rest of my life.

The most frustrating thing is the invisible barrier which surrounds me. The barrier which prevents me from being normal. Nothing I do will overcome that barrier. I see other people driving their cars, going on overseas holidays, earning money and having great lives. But I am stuck in my room on a pension unable to have any of that. AND THERE’S NOT A BLOODY THING I CAN DO ABOUT IT.

So 1337Hax0r, perhaps you should think a bit before launching Internet sprays against Disability Support Pensioners. And perhaps you should gain a wider understanding as to why people such as myself have to live this type of life.

Has it occurred to you that if you are on the pension because of a genuine reason then this post is not directed towards you.

As he mentions, the OP refers to people rorting the system not those who are genuinely in need of it.

If the dude has Aspergers and schizphrenia, then I imagine that it really didn’t occur to him that the post wasn’t aimed at him. Thinking clearly in those circumstances isn’t likely to come easy.

I have an aunt with a mental illness/disability/whatever you want to call it. My heart goes out to all such people who are unable to live the lives that they see happening all around them

Roundhead89 said :

I have Asperger’s Syndrome (a form of autism), which you know about from your friends who have it …Today I still live with my parents, like some of your friends with Asperger, although some of them lead independent lives . ….

The most frustrating thing is the invisible barrier which surrounds me. The barrier which prevents me from being normal. Nothing I do will overcome that barrier. I see other people driving their cars, going on overseas holidays, earning money and having great lives. But I am stuck in my room on a pension unable to have any of that. AND THERE’S NOT A BLOODY THING I CAN DO ABOUT IT except maybe live in a supported share house, and/or get work from home jobs, of like your friends with Aspergers, start a business which leverages off of his highly organised OCD, or your other friend who has Aspergers who works in the IT industry for a government department.

So 1337Hax0r, I see you have thought a lot before launching Internet debates against those Disability Support Pensioners who cheat and lie to get their pension. But it is nice that you have a wider understanding as to why people such as myself have to live this type of life.

There, I fixed it for you!

maui said :

And the reason you have provided the dob-in details to the relevant authorities is …..??????

And you too!

🙂

And the reason you are not providing the dob-in details to the relevant authorities is …..??????

I think we all know people who scam the government somehow, be it claiming extra centrelink allowances or taking care of personal administration (eating, exercise, phone calls etc) during work hours. People are always going to find extra ‘benefits’ – in paid employment and unemployment too. There isn’t much incentive to be honest any more!

A_Cog said :

Your obvious hatred of poor people is slanting your objectivity. For instance, you assume that driving a car means they own it, they have a license, and the car is registered.”

Well I would hope that they have a license and the car is registered. These aren’t things that are optional.

devils_advocate said :

Delish said :

How would you feel if Australia moves to what NZ is possibly thinking about which is drug testing for welfare receivers?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10816842

That your welfare is dependent on you being ‘job ready’ and so this means being drug free?

What would you rate as being drug dependent?

A smoker of pot, an alcoholic, amphetamine user, a doctor shopper on morphine etc

LOL. Alcoholism and nose candy are practically prerequisites for my job.

How are things in the heavy haulage business?

devils_advocate1:24 pm 03 Jul 12

Delish said :

How would you feel if Australia moves to what NZ is possibly thinking about which is drug testing for welfare receivers?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10816842

That your welfare is dependent on you being ‘job ready’ and so this means being drug free?

What would you rate as being drug dependent?

A smoker of pot, an alcoholic, amphetamine user, a doctor shopper on morphine etc

LOL. Alcoholism and nose candy are practically prerequisites for my job.

How would you feel if Australia moves to what NZ is possibly thinking about which is drug testing for welfare receivers?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10816842

That your welfare is dependent on you being ‘job ready’ and so this means being drug free?

What would you rate as being drug dependent?

A smoker of pot, an alcoholic, amphetamine user, a doctor shopper on morphine etc

Roundhead89 said :

I have Asperger’s Syndrome (a form of autism) and suffer from depression and schizophrenia. I tried working for ten years and was constantly bullied and victimised by way of being ostracised and subject to constant complaints to bosses from other staff. After being admitted to the psych ward after a nervous breakdown and suicide attempt I decided I could not go through the trauma of working again so I reluctantly went onto the Disability Support Pension.

Today I still live with my parents. I cannot move out and will be dependent on other people for the rest of my life.

The most frustrating thing is the invisible barrier which surrounds me. The barrier which prevents me from being normal. Nothing I do will overcome that barrier. I see other people driving their cars, going on overseas holidays, earning money and having great lives. But I am stuck in my room on a pension unable to have any of that. AND THERE’S NOT A BLOODY THING I CAN DO ABOUT IT.

So 1337Hax0r, perhaps you should think a bit before launching Internet sprays against Disability Support Pensioners. And perhaps you should gain a wider understanding as to why people such as myself have to live this type of life.

Has it occurred to you that if you are on the pension because of a genuine reason then this post is not directed towards you.

As he mentions, the OP refers to people rorting the system not those who are genuinely in need of it.

gazket said :

well you can thank the bleeding heart lefties and Labour for making it look like the unemployment rate is low by putting bludgers on the pension

And, gazket, go somewhere else with your whining anti-Labor rhetoric. It’s not even close to on-topic in this post.

Case workers would help to sort all this out. Might end up costing more than paying bludgers a pension, but the contries productivity would be increased if these capable people were put to work.

I’ve a friend who is on a disability pension, he is a great dude and a good friend who I am confident would be allowed to stay on the pension if audited by a case worker. This is the type who should be supported, and the chancers should be kicked to the curb!

I have Asperger’s Syndrome (a form of autism) and suffer from depression and schizophrenia. I tried working for ten years and was constantly bullied and victimised by way of being ostracised and subject to constant complaints to bosses from other staff. After being admitted to the psych ward after a nervous breakdown and suicide attempt I decided I could not go through the trauma of working again so I reluctantly went onto the Disability Support Pension.

Today I still live with my parents. I cannot move out and will be dependent on other people for the rest of my life.

The most frustrating thing is the invisible barrier which surrounds me. The barrier which prevents me from being normal. Nothing I do will overcome that barrier. I see other people driving their cars, going on overseas holidays, earning money and having great lives. But I am stuck in my room on a pension unable to have any of that. AND THERE’S NOT A BLOODY THING I CAN DO ABOUT IT.

So 1337Hax0r, perhaps you should think a bit before launching Internet sprays against Disability Support Pensioners. And perhaps you should gain a wider understanding as to why people such as myself have to live this type of life.

Deckard said :

gazket said :

well you can thank the bleeding heart lefties and Labour for making it look like the unemployment rate is low by putting bludgers on the pension

We can also thank the bleeding heart lefties for giving us 8 hour work days, 2 days off a week, 4 weeks holiday a year and not having to breath in asbestos while we work.

How Labour has changed. Now they believe in telling lies to the country, putting blue collar workers out of work and sending their jobs overseas, penalising people who want to get ahead in life and taking fruit juice from children.

A_Cog said :

Your obvious hatred of poor people is slanting your objectivity. For instance, you assume that driving a car means they own it, they have a license, and the car is registered.

I don’t hate anyone at all. Also, I’m fully aware that some people drive borrowed or unregistered cars. I like people who make an effort in life, but some, the ones I mentioned, don’t. I don’t hate them, but I’m not happy about them rorting the system either.

A_Cog said :

I’ve read some of your other posts. You’re an IT worker struggling to find regular work. In your darker moments, how does that make you feel? Sad, frustrated, depressed, worthless? Imagine feeling like that every day of every month of every year of your life, because you were born poor, stuck on the bottom rung, or had crappy parents who damaged you before you could appreciate how to undo their work.

Yeah, I can relate to that. I’ll explain why below.

longshanks said :

As for those who are permanently “sad, frustrated, depressed and worthless” because of their birth/upbringing/lack of education/etc., what a load of crap! One of my best mates had a horrible childhood, including an alcoholic and depressed mother, an absent father, sexual abuse from a close family member, drugs constantly in the house, bullied at school, etc. etc. He dabbled in some dodgy stuff when he was a teenager, but one day he decided that he would rather be a functioning member of society, and since then has worked his backside off in order to get there.

Apart from the drugs in the house, that exactly describes my childhood. I do mean exactly too. Every awful bit of it. I had a background so bad I’ve had even hardened psychologists cry when they’ve read my files and I repeatedly get the “I’m amazed you lived through all that.” line. But I made a choice in high school to do better, to not repeat the mistakes others before me have made. So yes, I do know how damn soul destroying shit can be. I know what it can do for your self image and I know it is not as easy as pulling yourself up from your bootstraps. But that is exactly what I did. I also know a lot of people in that situation have. More power to them. I don’t have an issue with them. I have an issue with people who, whatever their background, lie and cheat the system so they can have an easy (to a degree) life paid for by those that choose to work. I have no issue with legitimately ill or injured people being on the pension, as I said though, there’s a big difference between the bludgers and the genuine people and that seems to be the bludgers have excuses and the genuine ones want to do better.

gazket said :

well you can thank the bleeding heart lefties and Labour for making it look like the unemployment rate is low by putting bludgers on the pension

We can also thank the bleeding heart lefties for giving us 8 hour work days, 2 days off a week, 4 weeks holiday a year and not having to breath in asbestos while we work.

I agree with Dilandech. Don’t worry about it so much. Some people will always find a way to bludge off the system. Even when John Howard was PM funnily enough.

well you can thank the bleeding heart lefties and Labour for making it look like the unemployment rate is low by putting bludgers on the pension

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

There is a huge difference between having sympathy for the poor and being disgusted by bludgeons and malingerers that Rory the system.

Bludgeons that Rory the System indeed!! More Beer for CnGN!! 🙂

A_Cog said :

. “Never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes.”

That’s right. Then, when you judge him, you’re a mile away and you have his shoes. 🙂

I know it’s easy to go on a mindless “screw the dole bludgers” rant, but I can think of three people off the top of my head who seem perfectly fit, healthy, sane and in generally tip-top condition who are living fairly well at the expense of society because they’ve wrangled a bit of a lurk.

Overall, I feel a fair bit of sympathy for LeetHackers point of view. (Can’t bring myself to use Leet speak).

A_Cog said :

Your obvious hatred of poor people is slanting your objectivity. For instance, you assume that driving a car means they own it, they have a license, and the car is registered.

I’ve read some of your other posts. You’re an IT worker struggling to find regular work. In your darker moments, how does that make you feel? Sad, frustrated, depressed, worthless? Imagine feeling like that every day of every month of every year of your life, because you were born poor, stuck on the bottom rung, or had crappy parents who damaged you before you could appreciate how to undo their work.

Some readers will no doubt judge you harshly for is post. You have it coming. Instead, I’ll just say you need some insight, some compassion, some experience. “Never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes.”

Did we read the same post? I didn’t pick up on “hatred of poor people”, but rather frustration at people who, in the OP’s view, are dishonestly claiming government payments. Fair enough too.

As for those who are permanently “sad, frustrated, depressed and worthless” because of their birth/upbringing/lack of education/etc., what a load of crap! One of my best mates had a horrible childhood, including an alcoholic and depressed mother, an absent father, sexual abuse from a close family member, drugs constantly in the house, bullied at school, etc. etc. He dabbled in some dodgy stuff when he was a teenager, but one day he decided that he would rather be a functioning member of society, and since then has worked his backside off in order to get there.

So sure, be sensitive to where people are coming from – but don’t try to excuse inexcusable behaviour. Adults who act in a lazy, irresponsible and deceitful manner do so by choice.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd8:34 pm 02 Jul 12

There is a huge difference between having sympathy for the poor and being disgusted by bludgeons and malingerers that Rory the system.

While you could spent all day and night stressing over the scum of society taking advantage of the charity of others, it’ll get you no where.

Look at it this way, they might be able to scam their $700 a fortnight or less but they have to put some effort toward maintaining it for what is essentially a low quality life style. They might be able to dine on the public trough today but all it takes is a decision that could come at any time and they’ll get a reduction in their payments.

Just remember, they’re going to have a quality of life that is sub par that is going to drag on with little to no improvement. Let them have their scraps.

…on another note, I’m curious to what degree a ‘l33thax0r’ has? I’m also interested in how you could be an experienced IT worker in canberra and manage to be out of work for any more than a week?

How did you find this all out?! Investigative reporting?! A Current Affair style stalking?! Dr Phil 1on1 session?!

I’ve been unemployed and been through the whole training/dance for your money, rummy ordeal and no-one ever unloaded how they were rorting the system. Perhaps you’re much more approachable than I am. Kudos to you =)

To sum it up, It sucks. Get a job, move on. I’m single, earn way to much money and pay taxes to support everyone. Suck it up.

What about dobbing in a tax evader instead – oh, can’t do that because they are too hard to find. The pension bludgers are so easy to find, aren’t they? I am not condoning the bludgers or drug users. Just want to open it up for thought.

Pension rorters are small fry compared to the many who can and do evade taxes whether legally or illegally. If someone gets caught evading they scream like the pigs they are until it is reversed.

I hope people don’t judge you too harshly for this post. You have shared some very specific examples of people who do indeed appear to be taking advantage of the system, and I in no way sensed that you were tarring all others receiving benefits with the same brush.

I have known people to blatantly deceive the system in similar ways to what you describe above. It makes me angry too. I could conceivably earn more on benefits than I do working half-time, and it would mean that I could spend all day every day at home with my child.

I don’t want that life for myself though. I know how lucky I am to have a job that I love, and the opportunity to work.

Don’t expend too much energy on hating these people, just get up every day and be thankful that you are not like them and you want something better for yourself. They have chosen that life, and that is the life they will have.

The Traineediplomat7:27 pm 02 Jul 12

A_Cog said :

“Never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes.”

And then you’d be a mile away…WITH FREE SHOES!!!

I thought DHS (DSS in old speak) paid people who got video evidence of scumbags who claim sickness benefits and are then seen lifting heavy loads and doing physical work. Perhaps it was the insurance companies.

Your obvious hatred of poor people is slanting your objectivity. For instance, you assume that driving a car means they own it, they have a license, and the car is registered.

I’ve read some of your other posts. You’re an IT worker struggling to find regular work. In your darker moments, how does that make you feel? Sad, frustrated, depressed, worthless? Imagine feeling like that every day of every month of every year of your life, because you were born poor, stuck on the bottom rung, or had crappy parents who damaged you before you could appreciate how to undo their work.

Some readers will no doubt judge you harshly for is post. You have it coming. Instead, I’ll just say you need some insight, some compassion, some experience. “Never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes.”

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