The issue is predictably divisive. Some really sensible comments. viz especially the person who has worked all his life and was told to use up his $2000 in savings before being granted any assistance.
The fans for directing how people may spend their benefit haven't come up with a response for the suggestion that we should perhaps also ban the purchase of anything containing sugar, trans fats etc., including fast food which I understand is consumed several times a week by many Australian families.
I couldn't defend cigarettes, but I reckon there is a far greater risk to individuals and to the health budget from the awful reality that two thirds of Australians are overweight or obese. The disease profile this encourages is huge - heart disease, hypertension, diabetes etc, costing the taxpayer a great deal more than someone who perhaps consumes one glass of wine with a meal as recommended by various medical researchers.
Anyway, the discussion is pretty much a waste of time anyway. Mr Abbott has made it clear that he won't be accepting this aspect of Mr Forrest's recommendations.
