If her situation is a fabrication that's unfortunate because there's a real issue in all this. Newstart has been indexed to inflation for the past 20 years, but that doesn't reflect the cost of living for the unemployed. Real estate/rent in major cities has risen much faster than inflation in that period. For anyone unemployed and renting in the private market in a major capital 2/3 of their income must be going on rent. Mortgage/rent "stress" is usually described as applying when 1/3 of a person's income goes on housing. For people on unemployment benefits with 2/3 of what's a paltry sum to start with going on rent the situation is extremely difficult. It's very difficult for people in that position to present as the best person for a job because they can't afford to eat properly or present well through clothes etc at interview. Australia has an epidemic of suicide at the moment with 2% of males dying at their own hand. It would be interesting to know how much crossover there is with that 2% and people receiving Newstart. Perhaps the government might conduct an audit and release the findings...but don't hold your breath.
