The Canberra Times has a look at the predictably disfunctional social services system and discovers the staggering amounts being spent achieving not very much:
There is also an over-reliance on expensive “crisis” responses, by health authorities, police or social workers, driving up the cost of service delivery to vulnerable families. The research found that an unofficial system of service “rationing” had developed, resulting in families not being eligible for assistance until they reached crisis point and putting avoidable pressure on the front lines of the system.
Officials say that it is not unusual for more than $1 million worth of resources to be spent on one individual in a 12-month period.
You have to wonder how many of them could sort themselves out given a $250,000 wedge.