I see there is a review afoot regarding the payment made to single mothers but the end game of that policy seems based upon a truely weird set of principles
Single parents are expected to look for part-time work once their youngest child is at school. However, the rules suggest that if a claimant is offered a job that leaves them only $50 better off than they were on welfare ($25 after travel and other expenses), they can elect to stay on benefits.
In other words, even if you could look after yourself and stop being a burden on others, you don’t have to.
The welfare lobby thinks this $50 figure is too low as does Kevin Rudd, for the Government is reportedly thinking of raising it. The argument being - if working leaves them little better off than being on welfare, they should not be expected to work.
