It's too easy to demonise the poor and unemployed for not sorting themselves out. For some that's probably true, but for a large majority they're where they are through circumstance. I remember some of the comments my family used to get with my dad on the dole. The judgement is quite hurtful. My dad wasn't lazy. he did whatever odd jobs he could find. the problem is much harder these days I think, because a lot of the lower end jobs are no longer here, they've been off shored.
Abbott and Rudd are both reasonably religious people, but neither of them seems to have much Christian charity in them. Jesus used to spend his time with the poor, the unclean, the outcasts of society. Seems there's no money or votes in that
If they find work then make it tax free up to a limit.
I grew up in a dirt poor area and the majority of those bums are on the dole because they think it's their right and never seriously looked for work. There was always an excuse of why they couldn't work. Throwing money at them does nothing, making sure their kids education/health is above standard might.
My old man had nothing but a hammer and a nail bag and would catch the train to Sydney and look for worksites among other things. He never once went on the dole and taught me to do the same no matter how bad it got. I'm glad as it kept me hungry enough to make a good living.
