The Social Security System In Australia Is Broken

 

The social safety net is tattered and torn and the social security system is broken. The system is turning into a horror show for Australians reliant on government payments for survival and a basic standard of living. The system is failing Australians and costing lives, livelihoods and children their futures and their hopes, dreams, aspirations and right to access opportunities and resources to fulfill their potential and have a happy home life with their parents and caregivers. Worse than that, it is leaving the underlying social fabric of our society, all those things that make Australia a wonderful place to live and the land of the fair go and the people happy, carefree and down-to-earth, tattered and torn. The Federal Government has failed to honour its legal obligations in implementing a social security system that upholds the rights and dignity of Australians who need assistance, compassion and a path forward. But instead of acknowledging its failure as well-intentioned representatives of the Australian people putting their best interests first, the political system leaves the people feeling like failures even though they have done nothing wrong. The so-called social security system is putting their best interests last. Misfortune and bad luck is not a weakness, a character flaw or a punishable  offence. The Australian Government is implementing a system, which, as it stands, is a direct contravention of the human rights of Australians, legally and constitutionally, morally and ethically. To defend this barbaric, demeaning and archaic system, it resorts to name-calling, slander, insults and abuse, and uses the compliant right-wing media as its cheerleader. Successive Australian Governments have steadfastly refused to take responsibility for the inadequacies of the broken, diminished and deteriorating social security system in Australia. The result is a divided and disharmonious community drowning in despair and debt where people receiving Government payments are simply expected to adopt a lifestyle of poverty and destitution and somehow adapt to continual hardship, stress and struggle. This is once they’ve passed the arduous application process to access government help to begin with. How did Australians get to this point where there government has abandoned them and left them out in the cold?

 

Wistfully Longing For The Australian Dream or Furiously Fleeing The Australian Nightmare

 

Nobody ever wants to end up in a situation in life where they are no longer self-reliant, financially free and living their best life. Everybody wants financial security and stability and with that, the time and resources to enjoy life and maintain a quality of life that is expected in a peaceful, beautiful country like Australia. But Australians also want the security of knowing that when things go wrong, a safety net is there to protect them from financial stress, hardship and poverty. It has been awhile since the idea of the “Australian Dream” has been discussed as a tangible aspiration for young Australians or older Australians still getting there, still reaching for the dream, refusing to give it up or let it go. Even in America the “American Dream” seems to have lost its shine and has been placed on the backburner. The idea that we can all have our own space in the world to call home and the financial freedom and ongoing income stream to enjoy it is slipping further and further away into the distance. One has to embark upon a lucrative endeavour these days to realistically go for it. It requires a concerted and persistent effort to attain it and keep it, through study, resourcefulness, entrepreneurialism or sheer good luck, like being born into a wealthy family or marrying into a wealthy family with a successful business empire. For ordinary people, one can engage in a battle against time and work two or three jobs to secure the dream. But that means they are not going to be there to enjoy it and could possibly die an early death from the stress of working in such a frenzied way and maintaining such a chaotic and hectic lifestyle. There is no quality of life in burning the candle at both ends, simply to keep a roof over your head. Others work out the game quicker, invest in multiple sources of income and rest easy while the money does the work for them while they are sleeping. Investing in the stock market, commercial property, business ventures can all lead to the financial freedom we all desire and deserve. But many have decided residential property is a more lucractive and attractive option. But, with regards to residential property, it becomes a vicious cycle exacerbating the problem facing so many Australians. By turning residential property into a commodity and get-rich-quick scheme, it only serves to make it harder to get into the property market, at either end of the market. This leads to more stress and pressure on ordinary Australians looking for a place to call home. Home sweet home is fast becoming a sour and bitter experience for so many. If you are on your own navigating this clouded, foggy path, good luck trying to make it.

 

No-one deserves to live in poverty or to struggle and stress about money, especially when their change in circumstances is beyond their control. Financial education should be taught in school so the battle between finding time and making money can be won and people are not in the situation so many across Australia are in right now. So many are permanently playing catch up and drowning in debt, stressing about the future. Some are barely getting ahead, while others fall further and further behind, scratching furiously at the top of the cliff as they are slipping over the edge into the unknown. All it takes is one major financial setback and they are falling over the edge, into even more debt or worse, homelessness. Living through what has become a nightmare while chasing a distant, unattainable dream, wondering what the point of any of it is when working hard still doesn’t count for anything in life. Some work long hours and are still condemned to rent their whole lives and borrow obscene amounts of money to make ends meet while forgoing meals and hot showers to get by.

 

This is an unacceptable outcome for a rich, spacious country like Australia where everyone who wants their own piece of paradise should be able to get it where they want it. The reason for the bleak outlook is because Australians can no longer rely on a social safety net to catch them and help them when things go wrong so the stress and pressure is always there. Lose your job, lose your home, basically. Such is the state of affairs right now in Australia. Meanwhile, for those who have already lost their jobs or their ability to work full-time or who are studying or retired, they deserve and must have that security of knowing the government safety net will be there. This is because you simply cannot predict how long it takes to get back into work and for those unable to return to full-time work at all, that safety net must be a genuine safety net that people can live on, not just “survive” on. It is a moral and legal obligation owed to the citizens of Australia that this safety net is provided to all Australians. This idea that you pick and choose who gets help is totalitarianism at its worst. Thus on that front the Federal Government has been failing and breaching its obligations for decades and lives have been ruined because of this hateful tyranny. Fortunately, most jobs now offer superannuation which have the option of income protection and disability and life insurance schemes attached. This is a necessary fall-back option these days before having to resort to the inadequate and inhumane social security system. Without that sense of safety and security, the Australian Dream of owning your own home, indeed simply having your own place, is nothing but that, a dream, an ideal, an aspiration that may or may not materialise. But housing is a human right every Australian must be accorded by the Australian Government. It is their job to ensure housing is available for all citizens. But this requirement to uphold the human rights and dignity of all Australians is rejected by extremist governments wedded to a frightening ideological agenda.

 

Reviving Our Life Chances

 

The pressure to be able to make obscene amounts of money (unless you really want to work three jobs to make ends meet) is why it is imperative that we all get the absolute best start in life and that we are all at the same starting line, with the same resources, support, services and opportunities at our disposal. This is called equity and the hallmark of an advanced economy and a progressive society is an equitable one. This is where everyone has equal access to health, education, housing, nutrition, transport and everything else that one needs to enjoy a good quality of life. The way things stand, if you are from a low-income household, statistically and shamefully for Australian society, you are more likely to stay there. If you are from a high-income household, you are highly unlikely to plummet to the depths of society unless you really screw up or your family hates you. Nevertheless, you would have acquired enough social capital and community contacts and accrued enough financial capital that the fall from grace will be a gentle one and you will inevitably bounce back and go on to bigger and better things (unless you dabble in white crime and get caught and the full force of the law ensures justice is served and you end up in gaol). But rich kids rarely suffer such an ignominious fate and get to enjoy a life of privilege and luxury so long as they play by the rules and don’t get led too far astray. But what of the rest of us? The children of immigrants? The children of a parent who has a disability? The children of people who have been charged with a crime and done time? The children of people reliant on government payments? What about the adults who look after those children? What about the children of low-income earners? Both parents are working fulltime, doing the right thing, but everything has become too expensive through no fault of their own. Yet they are doing everything right, contributing, participating and trying to earn a living. It is still not enough. How do all those people bounce back or enjoy the same opportunities, resources and quality of life as Little Miss Wealthy and Mr Privileged. In a social democracy, the government would step in and level the playing field. This is done by firstly, ensuring everyone has a roof over their head. Secondly, everyone has an income, whether through paid employment or government payments, and that money is above the poverty line. Thirdly, everyone has access to services, education, resources and opportunities to achieve a good quality of life. Fourthly, transport to get around is vital and if you have your own vehicle, support to manage that expense is essential. Finally, everyone has access to affordable health care, medication, allied health, physical health, dental health, mental health and emotional wellbeing services. In addition, access to support services in the local community for when things get difficult, and people become increasingly isolated and the road becomes riddled with obstacles and potholes and you feel like you’re out-of-control and alone. One thing is guaranteed, the harder your life becomes and the more you struggle with money, the more judged and isolated you become and more and more people simply walk away from you in your darkest hour. Government and society must work together to help people regain control of their lives so it never reaches the point where people are drowning in debt, malnourished, lonely and cold, take their own life, sleep in their car, can’t turn on the lights because the power has been ruthlessly and mercilessly cut, can’t shower because the water has been cut, or end up resorting to drugs, alcohol, violence, or crime to try to cope and get through just one more day.

 

Outcomes, Equity and Social, Cultural and Spiritual Determinants of Health

 

But we have the tools, capital, services, capability and resources to create a cohesive and supportive society. Maslow had a hierarchy of needs. The United Nations (UN) elaborates on this when formulating what an individual needs to thrive and succeed in a society. The UN calls this the Social Determinants of Health. There are many to consider as these are the things that will determine how easily and effectively citizens can bounce back or participate in the first place. They are:

 

• Income and social protection;
• Education;
• Unemployment and job insecurity;
• Working life conditions;
• Food insecurity;
• Housing, basic amenities and the environment;
• Early childhood development;
• Social inclusion and non-discrimination;
• Structural conflict; &
• Access to affordable health services of decent quality.

 

The link is below for those readers interested in investigating further. There are also Cultural Determinants of Health, unique to Indigenous Cultures, and absolutely imperative to their health and wellbeing and chances of success. These include:

 

·         Connection to country;

·         Kinship;

·         Knowledge and beliefs;

·         Language;

·         Self-determination; &

·         Cultural expression.

 

I would venture to say there are also Spiritual Determinants of Health. These are more individualistic as they are reliant on one’s personal tastes and preferences and what they find joy in. But without them, people can lead very dreary and unfulfilling lives. But by finding that source of joy, motivation and reinvigoration, by setting one’s soul on fire and doing what you’re passionate about, it can contribute to one’s ability to harmoniously integrate into society and feel inner contentment and radiate outer charisma and magnetism. Ideas to consider include:

 

·         finding your purpose in life;

·         living a fulfilling, soulful life;

·         prayer;

·         gratitude and appreciation;

·         spirituality/religion;

·         sensuality;

·         mindfulness;

·         meditation;

·         nature;

·         yoga, tai chi and so on;

·         intimacy and companionship;

·         connection, belonging and finding your tribe;

·         positive affirmations and positive thinking;

·         reflection and self-awareness;

·         solitude and self-acceptance;

·         embracing diversity and different cultures;

·         relaxation techniques;

·         massage;

·         beauty therapy;

·         appreciating the wonder, beauty and creativity in the world around us (be it music, architecture, history, performing arts, literature, cinema, sport or dancing/moving your body);

·         travel;

·         embarking on your own creative endeavours (be it pottery, learning a musical instrument, a new language, painting, joining a Men’s Shed or a Lady’s Shed, gardening, acting, singing, writing poetry, a screen play or the next best seller in The New York Times, and so on); &

·         above all, having a moral compass and ethical code to live by and exhibiting pro-social behaviour.

 

The point is, take away just one of these determining elements of good health and the impact on your quality of life, standard of living, physical, mental and emotional health and financial wellbeing can be devastating and irrecoverable without a lending hand from someone, somewhere and somehow. Such an outcome makes it very hard to contribute to society, let alone claw your way out of the dark pit of poverty and hardship. Losing your sense of purpose and sense of being in life can be catastrophic to your overall health and wellbeing, homelife and relationships with the people around you. All these determinants of health work together to create an environment for everyone in society where they can get ahead in life and where individuals can lead enriched, fulfilling, rewarding, flourishing, abundant and prosperous lives. It is a rosy picture, filled with starlight, sunlight, rainbows and beauty. A life where we can truly have it all… Does anyone truly have it all though…? Is anyone ever completely satisfied with where they’re at in life when they are finally at the top of their game?

 

Thus it is not enough to simply have a roof over your head, one must also have a reason for living. A reason to get up each day that is meaningful and motivating to them and that honours their identity, dreams, desires and aspirations. But first, people must be able to feel safe, stable and secure under that roof before anything else can happen and success can come knocking on your door. There has to be a door or the ability to build a door to a better, more hopeful life. With stability and strength, comes the ability to create the life you want. With that creativity and your imagination comes the power, will, capability and resourcefulness to strive to be your best self and achieve your goals. With that comes your own openness and preparedness for love and relationships and a mutually satisfying and respectful home life. With support, acceptance and encouragement, you are comfortable finding your voice, being heard and making a positive impact and significant contribution to the community and influencing the world around you in a good way. All these factors come together to complete the magnificent vision we must all hold for ourselves and our lives and that we must consistently and determinedly believe in and go after. With that, we remain connected to our highest and best selves, the better angels of our character, and that makes for a wonderful society. More than that, it is the foundation for a life fully lived, a life worth living, embracing and celebrating. A legacy to be proud of.

 

 

The Working Class Now The Working Poor

 

But it all starts with feeling safe, stable and secure where you have landed in life. To not be living in abject terror that this place is a ticking timebomb. That it is only a matter of time before lives are blown up by greedy landlords, real estate agents, property managers and corporations and heartless, inconsiderate politicians more interested in appeasing vested interests and lining their own pockets than serving the public interest and equitably distributing the nation’s wealth. Thus, this stability comes from having financial security, first and foremost. The first thing the UN says impacts our health is “income and social protection”. But over the last twenty years, but especially in the last decade, the perverse policies and language from the Liberal National Party has led to over a decade of wage stagnation. Neo-liberalism and the relentless chase for maximum profits driven by insatiable toxic corporate greed has seen the battlers become the strugglers and prices of every day items like food and fuel rise astronomically. No longer able to make ends meet, the working class is now the working poor. These days in Australia, you can work over fifty hours a week and still not make all the expenses that fortnight. Even teachers and nurses can no longer afford to cope with this accelerating cost of living. With over-inflated housing prices and exploitative, unreasonable and unjustified rental demands on tenants, it is getting harder and harder to achieve the dream of a home to live in, let alone financial security and stability. The lust for profits is making life in Australia hell for anyone who is not in the upper middle class or upper classes. People are working two or three jobs just to survive. This is a ridiculous situation to be in. One job should be enough. As the working class become the working poor, the middle class are also barely scraping by. Of course, one might say at least they have the option to downsize but sometimes it is not that cut and dried. Default on a $750,000 mortgage and the penalties are devastating, not to mention the effect on their credit rating and the disruption and chaos caused to their lifestyle, social networks, local community, families and their lives. The psychological impact on singles, couples and couples with children would be profound, painful, brutal and difficult to recover from. This is not the kind of Australia that we should be proud of. In fact, it is shameful. Neo-liberalism has crushed the soul of this nation and torn out its heart and the result is brutal. Don’t expect politicians to come to your aid any time soon though as they are beneficiaries of the very policies making life difficult for everyday people. Luckily, the change in government has seen wages begin to rise again and that is a very good thing for the collective wellbeing of our society and for productivity in the economy. There is a lot to be said for “reward for effort”.

 

The Social Security Recipient Now The Invisible Underclass

 

Meanwhile, people relying on the government to help them through a difficult time have even less hope and absolutely no cause for hope. Politicians from the two major political parties have deliberately manufactured the crisis they are now living in and are purposefully refusing to ease this burden, lighten the load and offer substantial and credible help. Numerous studies reveal there is hardly anywhere for social security recipients to live in the whole entire country. So homelessness awaits those on social security who are not in social or affordable housing. Those on waiting lists are condemned to a decade waiting for something that might never arrive. To make matters worse, food is prohibitively expensive, so malnourishment and illness will get them if homelessness doesn’t. Thirdly, if they do get sick, there is no way they can afford to see a Doctor or take their children to see a doctor. As for medicine, forget it. So sickness is next when they’re sleeping in their freezing cold car or in a tent. Four, if they have a car, forget fuel, tyres, a battery, regular service checks, repairs or maintenance. But at least it can be used as makeshift shelter, right? Fifth, if they have credit card debts or short-term loans, those debts will simply get higher and higher as there is no spare money to pay off those debts and the debt collectors do not care and persist in harassing them for money they simply do not have. The corporations will never get the money off people who do not have money to pay for essential services and products and needed the loan. So I do not know why they insist on harassing and hounding people without the money. It is like the mafia on steroids, except this intimidation and harassment is legal. It should be illegal. On and on it goes….. Friends? No-one wants to be friends with the social security recipient or the hard luck crowd. But their children might be lucky if they don’t look like they come from an impoverished background. Socialising? Forget it. That requires money and nice clothes and good shoes. Personal care? Good luck with that. Relationships? Who wants to be with someone languishing and withering away in the gutter, invisible to everyone except the few generous souls in the community services sector who reach out to help those who want their help and who they can help. But even those services are stretched to the limit and are forced to turn people away. So we end up with an invisible underclass, social isolation, entrenched disadvantage and a problem that spirals out-of-control.

 

Constantly playing catch-up

 

Of course, sooner or later, a job might come through and housing might become available. But once you’re in that spiral of debt and despair, you’re left constantly playing catch-up. You have to pay back old debts and try to keep the roof over your head and food on the table. Those things are getting more expensive so you could end up getting loans to make the new round of expenses and the cycle of poverty continues. You never get ahead. You never get a reprieve from the struggle. You simply end up sliding further and further into debt. The stress and anxiety returns and the horror show rolls on. Sometimes, homelessness is a blessing in disguise. All the bills go away, the debt might be forgiven by an ethical lender, and you can rest easy under the stars with the daily newspaper for warmth if you do not have blankets. In a sense, you do not have to worry about a thing anymore, except finding a safe place for your slumber and a place to shower, eat and wash your clothes. That blissful existence sounds nice, but should be available to everyone. Life should not be so stressful that homelessness is the only way to experience a reprieve from the stress and financial hardship.

 

Beneath The Poverty Line

 

This is all happening because government payments are beneath the poverty line. The problem is, as average incomes rise, the poverty line goes up too because it is calculated as a percentage of median income. In Australia, job seeker payments have not risen so this means they are slipping further and further beneath the poverty line. This means people have no way of meeting their expenses and you do not need to be Einstein to figure out why. Even those government payments that are just at the poverty line barely assist with basic expenses. If you have a car and the internet, your monthly expenses effectively treble. It is impossible to survive when the money coming in just is not enough to meet the normal, every-day expenses of life, especially as the cost-of-living keeps going up and up and up. Governments have been told for years to raise the rate of job seeker payments and other government payments to at least keep up with these rising costs, but they refuse to act. They insist on inflicting what is essentially ideological right-wing extremism on the Australian people. This means the people are denied barely enough money to survive on and are forced instead to starve and slide into debt and despair. It is an abomination and national disgrace that the politicians who govern us are so unwilling to support us, represent our best interests, act in good faith, fulfill their obligations to the people and do their jobs.

 

Trying To Keep Your Head Above Water: What Does It Take

 

Over a decade ago I sustained a workplace injury and was placed on the Disability Support Pension. To my surprise, I was parked there and forgotten about. I received no access to support, resources, re-skilling options or training opportunities, or financial counselling to figure out a sustainable budget now that my income had effectively halved and I had two children to consider. I was stunned that just like that, I was placed on a permanent government payment and left to somehow work out how I was going to survive with a household to maintain, bills to pay and debts to meet. I always knew it was never going to be enough money. My fulltime job was not even enough money. The Disability Support Pension was going to lead to a frightening future. I was too scared to do a budget as I knew it would not be pretty and a pointless exercise. How can you create a budget when the money coming in is drastically lower than the money going out? You are basically forced to decide between essential services to forgo. Do you forgo eating or paying rent? Do you forgo fuel or spectacles to see? Thus I did not want to know what the shortfall was as I knew it would destroy me, psychologically and emotionally. Denial and avoidance kept me somewhat sane. Ignorance is bliss, as they say. But it also left me in a precarious situation of constantly looking for where extra money was going to come from while never actually knowing at the time how much extra money I needed.

 

I couldn’t return to my old job and I had children and a whole lot of financial stress and anxiety and constant, relentless fatigue and tension. I soon divorced and was left on my own with the two children part-time and had to try and figure it all out. Selling the family home and downsizing tied me over financially for a couple of years. But once that money was gone things appeared dire again but through a series of unfortunate events a bit more money tied me over and I was able to downsize further and that tied me over for a couple more years. But once again, the savings ran out and this time, I had made the crazy promise to my daughter that she deserved her own bedroom and I would get a three bedroom home for me and my two children. It was the least they deserved so they could have some semblance of a decent quality of life and their own space to study and socialise during their teenage years and young adulthood. I wanted them to have the best shot of life, because all children in Australia deserve their own bedroom and a stable and comfortable roof over their head. It was my top priority to give them a stable and secure home and a good life. I was convinced I would be able to get my superannuation or a low-cost government loan as I was on the brink of homelessness. I was of the view that if someone had equity and only needed a small boost-up, that the authorities and government would do everything in its power to help that family secure a roof over their head instead of ending up on the streets with some money, but nowhere to live without an ongoing income stream. But the Australian Taxation Office did not care and refused to let me access my superannuation and the Queensland Government were even less compassionate and suggested I could sleep in my car or leave Brisbane entirely. It is ridiculous that governments now operate as businesses and only give financial help to people who already have jobs, money and financial stability and security. Those people can just go to commercial lenders. They do not need government loans. But the Queensland Government operates like a neo-liberal warehouse and refused to grant me a loan. I did not meet commercial lending requirements so as the state government, they would not lend me money either as their loans operate like commercial loans, rather than no interest loans. It really is ludicrous and despicable. So without a loan, their solution for a home was to live in my car or leave Brisbane. The Queensland Government’s callous disregard for the health, welfare, wellbeing, and future of my children was shocking and disgraceful. The authorities are not big on compassion or helping people. Eventually, after countless phone calls to banks and lending institutions I was able to secure a home loan at the market rate through a commercial lender that I have to now service with the Disability Support Pension while also enduring all the fluctuations in repayments that come with borrowing money through commercial lenders.

 

Running Out Of Options

 

The truth is, windfalls of money are rare events and they are usually very stressful. Once those savings are depleted, you are left to survive on a government payment. Yes, there is casual or part-time employment as an option to supplement the DSP. But will it end up being a zero-sum game or worse, leave me and others in a similar situation to me, in a financially worse-off situation, especially if the concessions that are given to social security recipients are suddenly taken away. The options have run out now. The future is looking increasingly dire as the tunnel gets darker… Social and welfare advocates and charities have pleaded with governments to raise the rate of all government payments for years now and it falls on deaf ears. Successive governments wedded to right-wing ideological extremism and Americanism refuse to help people, despite the Australian Constitution making it clear the social payments are the responsibility of the Federal Government. The Constitution does not say, “but only in accordance with your right-wing extremism and only at amounts the citizenry cannot survive on”. But the Federal Government leaves people on social security with very few options and charities are running out of money and resources to help people. It is a vicious cycle that is of the federal government’s making and they are not interested in implementing effective and realistic solutions so people do not fall into poverty and homelessness.

 

Is There Hope In Australia or Are We A Mini-America?

 

Politicians are elected to make the country a better place, to enact a vision of peace, harmony, safety, abundance, joy and prosperity for all Australians. They are elected to act in the best interests of the citizenry. They are not elected to carry out an extremist right-wing ideological experiment on the masses, just to see how far they can take it and how rich they can make themselves and their powerful and privileged mates in corporations in the process. One need only look to America to see what happens when governments turn their back on their people and choose to punish disadvantaged and vulnerable people instead of helping them. It is a brutal, ugly landscape, devoid of hope, vision, dreams and aspirations. The system favours the rich and the poor languish and are forgotten. What is happening to America’s poor? What will happen to Australia’s poor? Politicians are responsible for creating a nation where everyone can get ahead and live a beautiful life for themselves, whatever that may be, and for paving a path out of hardship. They are not elected to push people over the edge of the cliff with an extremist right-wing ideological agenda. The role of the Government is to give hope, not crush the spirit, stifle hope, destroy dreams and darken the future of citizens who are struggling. But is there hope in a country that treats its most vulnerable and disadvantaged citizens in such a callous, cold and merciless way and chooses to promote right-wing extremism as a ‘centrist’ mainstream ideal? This ruthless insistence on imposing ideological warfare on the most marginalised in our society defies logic and reason. It is state-sanctioned financial, psychological, and emotional abuse. It is a betrayal of the Australian people and it undermines the Australian Constitution. It benefits no-one and hurts everyone. This is sad for a country that led the way in its commitment to social democracy in the 1970s and 1980s. That all fell apart in the late-90s and it seems the damage is done and all hope is apparently lost after several decades of right-wing ideological extremism and a media landscape peppered with extremist right-wing ideologues promoting this barbaric ideology non-stop on television, radio and in the print media. Challenge the ideas, dare to encourage compassion and generosity, and you are instantly slandered, derided, insulted, belittled, and demeaned. This is because, when the Government and their right-wing propagandists in the media are trying to defend a dreadful ideology like neo-liberalism, all they’ve got to use in their apparent defence is base insults, bullying and name-calling. These right-wing extremists are unable to discredit the integrity and authenticity of others or the essence of social democracy, fair wealth distribution and creating an equitable society. So they resort to attacking the character of the person as if having a big heart, generosity of spirit and caring about your fellow Australians, no matter their circumstances in life, is somehow a bad thing?? Anyone that thinks compassion and mercy are character flaws has a very long dark night of the soul ahead for them.

 

The Bottom Line: A snapshot of reality

 

I have recently been asked to complete a Statement of Financial Position (SFP) for the Australian Financial Complaints Authority after two Contents Insurance claims were denied and as a result my savings drained. This SFP is effectively a budget. As expected, the SFP does not look good for me. The net loss per month is hundreds and hundreds of dollars, as expected. Essentially, the shortfall is the difference between the DSP and a full-time job earning approximately $45,000 per annum. That does not take into account those unexpected and expected expenses that arise with children, medical concerns, maintenance on the property that I am solely responsible for as the owner, plus special occasions and of course, technology.

 

With technology like laptops and smartphones, it has made life very hard. The Government has made these things “essential” for an education and to access government payments but the corporate world has made them unaffordable and the Federal Government does not subsidise the cost. This has resulted in a significant digital divide across Australia impacting education outcomes for children from disadvantaged households. It is disgraceful and criminal, bordering on narcissistic, to place this much financial pressure on people who are already crumbling under the weight of the stress and pressure they’re under. It is ridiculous to expect someone on the DSP to keep up with expenses that only someone working fulltime or someone in a relationship with someone working fulltime who is also prepared to foot the bill, can logically and realistically manage.

 

It is probably not that far-fetched to suggest that the number one burden for Australians right now is money and finding a way to secure a continuous and reliable cash flow. The government and corporate world have deliberately manufactured this pressure cooker of financial stress and pressure. As seen, the DSP is impossible to survive on for a single mother with two children and a home to maintain and debts to service. Is it taken for granted that people on social security do not own their own home? The reality of the situation is, even with basic sacrifices, the DSP is still not enough money to make ends meet. With the storm clouds gathering on the horizon, I wonder what solutions there are for people in this situation. Live on the streets? Sleep in the car and rent out the property? Leave Australia? Move interstate? Sell everything and abandon my family? Call time out on this mortal call? Slide into destitution and mess up my children’s health, wellbeing and lives as a result of having to witness the walls crumbling down around all of us? Find suitable employment for supplementary income and hope it is enough? What are people on the DSP meant to do to survive when there are children involved and obligations and responsibilities to fulfill? The DSP payment is not increased for single parents so it is nowhere near enough to survive on. Now I know why I waited so long to check the budget and how lucky I have been for so long. Now of course, I have a lot of debt and not much hope, yet a keen determination to avoid adding more debt to the pile. So while I might have a roof over my head, the nights could become dark, the showers cold, and the internet disconnected when the utilities cannot be paid. These are all the things that I imagine must be sacrificed once placed on a government payment. Of course, medical expenses will become impossible to manage solely on the DSP which makes returning to work that much more challenging. With a stark absence of ethics amongst today’s GPs, they’re more interested in checking your bank balance is healthy before checking if you are healthy. Just like America, it isn’t a case of, you get medical care if you are sick, you now only get medical care if you are rich. Such is life beneath the poverty line and on the edge of hell. Is this acceptable in a country as rich as Australia that basic things, like spectacles to see, medical appointments, medicine, and healthy teeth, are only reserved for the rich, wealthy, powerful and privileged?

 

Set and Forget

 

The reason for the apparent bleak future is that in over a decade of being on the DSP, there is no follow-up. They simply park you on the payment and forget about you. The only time you have dealings with Centrelink after that is to update them of changing circumstances, such as divorce, moving house, employment and so on. The only time Centrelink ever contacted me was to assess my medical situation to see if I still deserved to be on the payment. It was not to see if I was coping or if I needed to reconsider my living arrangements to find something more affordable for me and my children or if I required financial assistance or a referral to a financial counsellor or to check on the wellbeing of my children living under the strain of this stressful environment. This was when the LNP were the Federal Government. Given how many DSP recipients got kicked off the payment several years earlier when Labor was in power I was certain I would get moved to the much lower Newstart Allowance. The fact that hundreds of thousands of others had been moved to the lower job search payment despite being medically unwell to the point where their medical condition warranted being on the DSP and despite thinking the Labor Party would be more sympathetic to the plight of people on social security, was deeply troubling, frightening and stressful. They now suffer in silence, poverty and basically destitution while grappling with their medical conditions. Another example of ideological extremism inflicted on some of the most vulnerable and needy in our society.

 

So I thought I would suffer a similar fate given the LNP are far more extremist towards social security recipients and are ideologically opposed to helping people and providing social security to the citizenry. However, there was no change to my payment. In fact, I was never even contacted about a decision. Months later I called to ask what was going on and the staff member told me the record stated no change to the payment. I was stunned because, in an environment where they wanted people back in work, I thought the Government would have seized on this opportunity to link DSP recipients up with Job Network Providers and assess their work capacity so they could re-skill or re-train and then work on a part-time or casual basis, reducing their reliance on the DSP. This would also help them establish a connection with the community and provide a chance to build social networks, relationships and social capital after being isolated for so long. This would have a dramatically positive impact on their mental health and emotional wellbeing and their financial situation. But the government didn’t do any of that. You are quite literally forgotten about until you become a statistic, and then you become a plaything for the ideological warfare that ensues in Canberra as they bicker about their right-wing depravity and barbaric worldview condemning social security recipients to poverty.

 

Back To Normality: Counting Your Blessings and Giving Thanks For Small Mercies

 

It is easy to retreat into hibernation, to slide into the darkness and become a recluse when facing a possible future where you could fall into the abyss of poverty, debt and despair. One becomes quickly consumed by feelings of guilt, shame, regret, failure, disappointment, self-judgement, self-hatred, anger, frustration, hostility, loss of control and sanity, and sadness. Every day is another day of stress, anxiety and ruminating, catastrophising and wondering “How will I pay for…”, “How will I get the money for…”, “What will happen to the children when the money runs out…”, “What will happen to me when the money runs out…”? This is every day on “social security”. One day I was at an ATM and had completely run out of money. The feeling in the pit of my stomach is a feeling I promised myself I would never experience ever again in my life. Yet here I am again, rapidly approaching that day. These stressful and all-consuming thoughts have been every day of my life for the past thirteen years. I do not know how it is for other people on social security and how they manage the dark, overwhelming, negative thoughts.

 

But in those moments, it is important to dig deep and find some kind of normality again. It is essential to find a sense of purpose and joy in the every-day things that still touch your heart and set your soul on fire and elevate your spirit, and that remind you of who you really are, beneath the heavy cloak of stress, loneliness, frustration, confusion, and hardship. On the news recently, they reported a story about a homeless woman sleeping in her car who had a gym membership so she could have hot showers. One would hope she would also take the time to jump on the treadmill or pump some weights to get the adrenaline and DOSE hormones pumping to feel a little bit good for that brief moment in time. A reminder that no matter how bad life gets, we are all still human and still need to maintain that connection with the community. These normal things can often be all it takes to inspire us to keep going and to catapult ourselves into the next chapter of our lives. That’s the key to remember here. This is only one chapter. There will be another chapter. The goal in life is to always endeavour to make the next chapter better than the last and to know that this period of hardship is not the final chapter, not by a long shot. Strive to be a better person in a better place than you were in yesterday, last month, last year. Self-belief, strength, courage, hope, and an inner commitment to climb back up the cliff is imperative for one’s own sake and for the sake of children for those who have children. My favourite saying is, “When you’re going through hell, keep going”. I imagine many Australians are currently feeling the need to hear that and live by it during this difficult time for so many.

 

So after many years of hibernation, only venturing out with the children for special occasions, movie, and school events or QPAC and AFL events, I decided it was time to restore some semblance of normality to my own life. After selling the place I lived in, I have taken my children on holiday to the Gold Coast a couple of times over the last two years. The difference it makes to one’s state of mind to get out of the swamp and quagmire of daily stress and into the light and sunshine by the sea is amazing. Of course, it doesn’t solve any financial problems, but it restores the spirit, it is a reset that is rejuvenating for the mind and body and replenishing for the soul, and allows one to come back home with clear eyes and a fresh perspective and potentially, new ideas to move forward in life. I see these family holidays as a necessary step to keep myself sane and from falling over the edge and as an opportunity to bond with my children as the stress of the last decade has placed an overwhelming strain on those relationships.

 

As I mentioned earlier, the spiritual determinants of health are a necessary factor to consider when checking on the collective wellbeing of a society. Are the people deriving joy and satisfaction from their daily lives? Have they found a purpose worth living for, even if it is as simple as time in nature once a year to forget the dreariness of modern life in the city where the chaos of urban life chokes the soul and tests the strength of one’s spirit, character and heart to keep going and distorts one’s perspective on reality. But yes, some might say, how dare I even think about a holiday. But truth be told, these are the things that make up the determinants of health, being able to get away, reset, get a change of perspective, maybe even stumble across a new opportunity that will lead to an exit out of this fiery abyss, plus, most importantly, having that quality family time together in a relaxed environment.

 

Savings cannot just be reserved for the mundane things. Life is not worth living if that is all there is to this existence. I refuse to continue to deny myself nice things because essentials are too expensive and fear stopped me enjoying my life with my children in the past. Enough is enough. I am tired of missing out on holidays with my children after a decade of not doing it. Two years ago I decided that would change and my children would experience some semblance of normality and fun in their childhood. I decided while the savings were there, I would still do it for them because they deserve it and love it and I only had a few more chances to go before my older child turned 18. I will always have the chance to make money if I put my mind to it, but I won’t always have the chance to make happy memories with my children. I need to act now, not when a miracle happens and money rains into my bank account from a Lotto win. So while my children and I have the time together to enjoy these small luxuries and experience life to the fullest, we will as you never know what is right around the corner. They deserve some happy memories of their childhood and not just the memory of having to witness the stress and struggle of living beneath the poverty line most of their lives, or in my Daughter’s case, her whole life. Everyone deserves a break from stress and struggle and a little taste of beauty and time in nature. These opportunities do not come around that often in life, especially with children who will grow up and move out one day and onto greener pastures.

 

I have also started going to the movies again. The Palace Cinemas is now my new sanctuary, a place to see and feel what it is like to be human again, while also admiring how the other half lives, with the added bonus of indulging in an affordable means of escape from the current stress. It provides a momentary reprieve, a time-out, and an opportunity to be around people, if not entirely with people. It also stops the negative thoughts racing around and around in my head non-stop. I was heartened to see when my Son and I attended the Tennis in Brisbane late last year that discounted tickets were available for the unemployed and other concession card holders. So in fact, we do live in a society that wants everyone to be afforded the opportunity to be part of the exciting and enjoyable aspects of the community, even if their circumstances are not that great. At least we can all still be together and be part of something special. That is so important in a society that is founded on benevolence, inclusion and acceptance. The presence of other people is often reinvigorating enough to sustain the soul and restore hope and just keep going. It is important for people struggling in society to find a way to reconnect to those things they derive pleasure from. A reminder that in one way or another we are all vulnerable and we are all searching for fulfillment and for better than what is happening now and hoping that what is around the corner is worth the wait and is better than what has gone by.

 

During these times, it is important to reflect on what good things still remain. By remembering to count our blessings and giving thanks for the small mercies that are shown to us, we can continue the fight against the authorities who are plaguing our lives with their ideological obsession and commitment to torture us with financial abuse. One thing is certain, life can always get a lot worse, just as quickly as it can get a lot better. So it is important to not dwell in the darkness, but try to see the good things that remain. This is especially the base if you still have a car and a roof over your head. But if there is little to be thankful for in the home, then try outside the home. Fresh air, the ocean, a beautiful sunset, a smile from a stranger. All these are a reminder that the world is still a beautiful place and if we dig deep, we can find hope and create a beautiful life and win this ideological battle, one way or another. Australians must win because the alternative is unsustainable, inhumane, barbaric and unacceptable.

 

This Is My Lived Experience

 

Instead of surviving on social security, you’re struggling on social security. Instead of getting by with the bare essentials, you’re going under losing everything from your grasp. You’re losing the game, sliding into more and more debt as that is the only solution to somehow continue. Of course the doom industries like the debt collection sector, are flourishing from this human misery. Every day, every hour, every minute, for over twelve years the dark clouds hover as the rumination consumes you. As mentioned, “What happens when the savings run out? What happens when the savings run out? What happens when the savings run out…….? What happens when I run out of strength and the will to keep going……?” For those without savings or their own home, the slide into debt, destitution and homelessness happens very quickly. They are left waiting and waiting for the government to notice them and do something.

 

Neoliberalism created the problem, neoliberalist extremism is not going to solve the problem, nor is it a justification for the problem to be ignored by the Government. So I now have a lot of debt to manage to keep a roof over my head. How long will it last? There is no security, stability or safety in this situation. The fact is that the money will run out and then there is nothing. Society and government just expects people to sleep in their cars, tents and caravans until it is convenient for them to help or the people just give up. Children are sleeping in tents and cars as I write this on the eve of Winter here in Australia. These Parliamentarians do not even care about children. I do not know if I will meet a similar fate but I do know the trajectory is headed in that direction. The overwhelming stress consumes the mind, jumbles your thoughts and in that state of mind, it is hard to see a way out or a path towards a clearer place. You lack the presence of mind to navigate your way out of this fog of despair and suffering. It is painful, frustrating, and all-consuming. You are no longer yourself. You are ashamed of the person you have become. A failed citizen, mother, women, human. What future exists for that person? You are slowly losing your mind as poverty approaches you, stress overwhelms you, anxiety over-takes you and bills mount around you.

 

Your body becomes a vessel of pressure, nervous tension and confusion. It is a floundering explosive combination as all those stress hormones intensify day after day, week after week, month after month, with no reprieve, no break from the stress and worry and no break from the physical and emotional pain overwhelming you daily. It affects your mood, behaviour, thoughts and feelings. It damages relationships and you quickly learn who your true supporters are. People are so quick to rush to judgement and casting aspersions on your character instead of looking in the mirror at their own weaknesses, flaws and shortcomings. These are the people who, in order to feel good about themselves, they have to drag others done to their level. You lose any ability to rationalise or keep calm or to control the hostility and aggression that comes with being constantly stressed and worried about money. When money is not an issue and you feel financially secure and safe, the improved mood is significant and your whole demeanour changes. A serenity and sense of calm comes over you and your life and everything changes and improves. But once money is a constant source of stress, the opposite happens and dark clouds start to gather over you and your whole demeanour and frame of mind changes in a bad way. Having the presence of mind to recognise the descent and to keep your wits about you so you can formulate a strategy to find your way out of this hell is the hardest thing but the only salvation. But the boiling kettle is bubbling out everywhere and you lose yourself in the chaos and struggle. It is an ominous combination and there is no support and no solution and government turns a blind eye and society merely sits in judgement like a pious deity who can do no wrong. It takes a profound amount of strength and courage to get up each day and face this nightmare, again and again and again, year after year, where there appears to be no hope and no future. All this while keeping a smile on your face and the household filled with laughter, music, singing and playing, for the children, for your soul, for your sanity, for your dreams.

 

It Could Be Worse

 

Where misfortune leads to good fortune, good fortune can lead to misfortune. I have been lucky enough to have reaped the rewards of misfortune in my life. Divorce, loss, injury, emotional trauma and abuse. At this stage in my life, even though I have a small mountain of debt, I have a lot to be grateful for. It could be so much worse but sheer luck has kept my head above water. I have a car, a roof over my head, a home for my children, a warm bed to sleep in at night, my intellectual faculties though some might call me the “village idiot” because of my ideals, values and steadfast commitment to goodness and generosity, presence of mind, my wits about me, food in the fridge, hot water, warm clothes, shoes, things I am passionate about and interested in, and a peaceful, solitary lifestyle with little drama.

 

Some people in my situation have lost everything and have no-where to go, no-one to turn to and nothing to hold on to. Left languishing in a hopeless situation, it is their pure will to live and keep going that motivates them each day to hang on for just one more day. In this place, we all live hour by hour. We do not look too far ahead, there is nothing to see. We do not look behind, there is nothing there either. We stay concentrated on getting through each moment, lest we lose our footing and fall. But if we can’t run, then we’ll walk. If we can’t walk, then we’ll crawl. If we can’t crawl, we’ll drag ourselves along. If that’s not possible either, then we’ll kneel, take a moment to rest and reflect. When we have the energy to go on, we will start again and aim to soar and rise above this horror show not of our making. But we can only start again if there is a pathway out of this hellhole, if there is a bridge out of poverty and towards prosperity.

 

Rethinking Social Security

 

The Australian Constitution places social security as the function, role and responsibility of the Australian Government. This includes parents, widows, older Australians and people looking for work. No-one is to be punished, persecuted, humiliated, left behind or forgotten in their darkest hour. Quite the opposite. They are to be helped by their government. They are to be treated with dignity and respect. That is the least their citizenship affords them. Dignified treatment when life is hard. Prior to Howard, the rise of privatisation of essential services, the scourge of neo-liberalism, the pervasiveness and toxicity of extreme right-wing ideology proliferated by horrific propaganda in the right-wing mainstream press, social security was part and parcel of social democracy in Australia. It was an income replacement mechanism while also equipping job seekers with the tools, training and resources they required to return to the workplace. This meant the government gave you enough money to live on, enough to pay the bills, eat and meet any additional expenses such as utilities, insurance, clothes, shoes. Basically, you could afford the bare essentials required in a civilised society committed to upholding human rights and restoring social justice. It was called ‘social security’ because its sole objective was to prevent poverty and maintain dignity for people looking for work and those unable to work. Importantly, unlike nowadays, it directed you to resources to help you return to work. For those with children, even more support and assistance was available.

 

Nowadays, with this switch to the extreme elements of a “liberal democracy”, you are punished and coerced into illegal activities known as “mutual obligation”, a gross violation of the human rights of job seekers. It is a policy that is degrading, exploitative, humiliating, damaging and unhelpful. It is commonly accepted now that the illegal “mutual obligation” punishment does not lead to work and is abusive and basically useless. Essentially, the government payments system in Australia these days is state-sanctioned coercive control and financial violence. The Cashless Debit Card was a demeaning form of punishment for not being a perfect, compliant, obedient, flawless human being. It is a card that shackles you to the humiliation of being judged as irresponsible and unworthy of holding cash, being financially independent and being in control of your own life. Instead of helping people and providing rehabilitative services and financial and other forms of counselling, the previous federal Government sought to single out and punish particular pockets of Australian society, treating them in a demeaning, degrading, derogatory, disrespectful, inhumane and undignified way.

 

Australia has become a place where only people with money and jobs receive dignity and respect. The attacks on the character of people without money, employment, perfect health and a perfect life is relentless and ruthless. To make matters worse and to add to this burden, the amount of the job seeker payment is so far below the poverty line that it is universally accepted that it is now a barrier to finding work. The safety net of the past has been stripped away and torn apart and the descent into poverty, debt, stress and financial hardship is accelerated and assured. While middle and high income earners see their income rising higher and higher, low income earners and people on government payments have seen their income stagnate stubbornly at extremely low levels. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, with inequality increasing daily and multiple forms of inequity pervasive everywhere. It begs the question if Australians want a social security system anymore and what they are willing to forgo to restore dignity into the lives of people barely getting by. Generosity, compassion, mercy, respect and kindness are virtuous qualities that we are taught in primary school. But the political class, the corporate class, the right-wing, extremist ideologues in the media and the wealthy, privileged and powerful have done everything in their power to crush that generosity of spirit and that warmth, decency and goodwill in the Australian character. They have turned such esteemed qualities into dirty words, something to be judged, ridiculed and removed from the Australian psyche, character, heart and soul. As a result, these extremists now control the dialogue in this sphere and the policies that are made governing Australians who need help from their Government. Their desire to crush the poor has been so effective that disadvantaged Australians no longer receive the help, guidance, care and support they so desperately need, despite teetering on the edge of the cliff. As a result, Australia has turned into a cold, dark, dreary place where “Cruelty Is Compassion”, “Punishment Is Rewarding”, “Humiliation Is Dignifying” and name-calling is the best they have when putting forward a counter-argument. One is left wondering who is actually in charge in Australia when it comes to social security, the social safety net and protecting people living in poverty and hardship.

 

Around The World

 

Around the world, governments and community services are trying new ways to help people stuck in a rut and grappling with poverty and homelessness. Countries that have experimented with giving people a lump sum at the start have seen resounding success in the majority of cases. The person has been able to use that money for rent for a home and then undertake short courses which has seen them then land a job. This has seen them return to a normal life with stability, security and a degree of financial freedom. They are then able to leave the dark days of poverty and homelessness behind them. It has saved those governments potentially thousands of dollars and community services have then been able to channel their resources and services to others. This is one example of other countries in the Western world who are working to help people, rather than deliberately punish them with extreme right-wing policies that are deliberately archaic, barbaric, horrific and inhumane. These are countries that are not obsessed with right-wing extremism and punishing the poor. In Australia, right-wing ideologues call the shots.

 

What Comes Next For Australians

 

In such a landscape, the future is bleak for those who have been left behind. At the moment, there is no way out. Poverty and inequality are worsening in Australian society. Homelessness is worsening. Considering all this information, is it any wonder that the people who have been unemployed for months and years, unable to access the resources, support, training and services they need to re-enter the workforce, are still unemployed despite “all the jobs out there”. There is no “quick-fix” for long-term unemployment. Training, modified workplaces, specific work hours, and rehabilitation might be required. Help with personal appearance, clothes, hair, personal hygiene, and so on, might also be needed. Training in interpersonal and communication skills is another thing to consider. Even something as simple as a watch might be needed before they can get work. Though even in this expensive tech savvy era even the broke person without a job is expected to have an expensive phone and internet connection. It is absurd that such a necessity is not subsidised by the government for those who do not have jobs. If they do not have a phone and internet connection or means of being contacted they are not considered for government payments or their payments are ceased. If they are homeless, they do not receive financial help from the government so they cannot even save up a bond and rent while they’re sleeping in the car or a tent. That’s how barbaric and absurd the system is. Such is the discriminatory nature of the ‘social security’ system in Australia. It is keeping people trapped where they are. A safety net was not meant to be a trap. It is meant to be a lifeline. Meanwhile, most on social security are simply trying to keep a roof over their head, which must be the number one priority.

 

If housing is to be treated as the first priority for Australians before anything else can happen, then we are a long way off making that happen. You can move from social housing to the free market with steady work. But you can’t move from your car into steady work to secure housing. The housing must come first and after nine years of callous disregard, neglect and dereliction of duty from Federal and State Governments, especially here in Queensland, the problem is massive. It is not insurmountable, with community pressure, government will and the media continuing to shine a light on this issue, then housing can be found and provided for those sleeping rough, couch surfing and in overcrowded dwellings. But it will only happen with action and a steadfast commitment to house the homeless. But as mentioned, to get housing, you need money and this is the primary determining factor to achieving an optimum level of health and wellbeing. That is where the government is meant to help. But instead, the homeless and those in-between homes get nothing from the Federal Government but cruelty and malice. The government is essentially making the people sick by refusing to sufficiently help them with housing and income.

 

What Is The Way Forward For Social Security and Social Democracy

 

Part of the privilege of living in the First World and in a Western Democracy where peace and prosperity flourish is meant to be having the right to access social security, universal health care and free education. Without corrupt governments and ongoing war, poverty, treacherous weather events and lack of opportunity that riddle undeveloped countries, the Western World can afford to accord every citizen of their countries the dignity of basic human rights and access to a basic standard of living, even if they do not have work or do not have access to vast amounts of wealth. Given it is taken for granted by the citizenry that the money from tax revenue and investments is not being squandered away on fruitless and corrupt endeavours, the money can be spent on providing services for the people, during good times and bad times. The beauty of governing and living in a rich country is that you can afford to be generous and altruistic to the citizenry. That is the advantage of living in Democracies. Benevolence, compassion and kindness form part of the underlying social fabric of the society. Instead of throwing people overboard when they’re “doing it tough”, you can send out the life boats and rescue people. You have the resources, wealth, opportunity and privilege to be virtuous and compassionate and help people. That’s life. That’s the gig. That’s the idea. Karma. What goes around comes around. The Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Be good, Do good, Feel good and good will come back to you. The idea is to leave people who cross your path in a better place than they were in before they met you, leave them feeling like they are valued and worthy. Politicians, above all other people, are expected to live by these values. It is their responsibility to Do No Harm.

 

This opportunity to be kind and see everyone’s potential applies to us all, from the citizen on the street to the Prime Minister in Canberra. We must strive to leave people realising they can achieve anything and feel elevated and boost their spirits, rather than feeling deflated, discouraged and despairing. There is no need to pick and choose who gets help, who deserves it, who doesn’t deserve it. EVERYONE deserves it and everyone should feel worthy of it and know that because of their inner potential and self-belief, they can use that help to improve their life chances and get ahead in life, and then pay it forward and make a positive difference in someone else’s life. That’s the idea of life. To make ourselves and the place better and better. When we see someone going through a rough patch, to reach out and lend a hand. Something as simple as buying a homeless person a coffee or offering them a warm place to sleep for the night is all it takes to make the country a better place, the place it was destined to be. It is simply a given that the role of the government in western democracies, in social democracies, it to provide access to opportunities, resources and services that will give people the best shot in life, boost their life chances, create an equitable environment and promote social justice. Affordability and accessibility are key to enhancing equity. So the cleaner’s son can become the next CEO of a major corporation and the next CEO of a major corporation will not begrudge paying their taxes and contributing to the social fabric underlying our society to help make it happen. This leads to the exceptional happening where you quickly discover that the more you give in life, the more you then receive, and the better the nation becomes.

 

But these are greedy, selfish times that we are living in. The toxicity and pervasiveness of narcissistic personality disorder is only too plain to see in Australian politics. The lack of empathy is shredding that fragile social fabric that forms such a crucial ingredient in what it is that makes Australia the wonderful, friendly, helpful, warm, inviting and happy-go-lucky place that it was. When you do not have to stress about how you’re going to feed your children, drive the car and keep the lights on, you can afford to relax and trust that all really is going to be well and whatever troubles do arrive, you can keep calm knowing, “This Too Shall Pass” and “All Will Be Well” and you can handle the stormy weather because no storm lasts forever. But sadly, for those languishing beneath the poverty line and who are homeless, it is hard to determine where they can find hope in such darkness, especially when there are very few shining lights in our society willing to do what it takes to act as lighthouses and direct them back to safe harbour and fiercely advocate on their behalf.

 

Is it the role of government to ferociously and obstinately cling to extremist right-wing ideology at the expense of the collective wellbeing of the society? Governments should not be taking an ideological gamble on members of a society at their lowest point and experiment with the health and wellbeing of people who voted for them in good faith to act in their best interests. They are not voted for to impose and inflict ideological extremism and to see how far they can take it. Plainly, neoliberalism has failed and far too many Australians have been left behind, many more are barely making it along the race-track while the rest are so far ahead, those still clinging to the Australian Dream are never going to catch up as the goal posts keep getting shifted and there is no level playing field anymore, especially in the housing sphere.

 

How Do You Solve A Problem Like The Property Market

 

All roads lead back to the property market. The way the current situation stands, people on social security must compete for homes and loans with people in well-paying jobs. This is unaffordable, unsustainable and unrealistic. As was seen from my story, it is quite ridiculous to expect this situation to be sustainable. It is not sustainable. Eventually, the money will run out and without a miracle, the gutter awaits. It is time to level the playing field so that all Australians can have a roof over their head. Successive governments have created parameters so far-fetched, distorted and lucrative for investors that it sent the property market skyrocketing into the stratosphere. Home owners had to compete with this insanity and ended up contributing to over-inflated house prices. Even the New York City property market fluctuates, but the Australian property market is truly a property bubble that does not operate in accordance with normal market expectations. Why is this distortion happening? Deliberate government policy with limited supply, tax breaks for investors, and high demand, have set in motion a housing market that is now a business model for a get-rich-quick scheme. It is unregulated, unmonitored, chaotic, out-of-control and unreflective of what the actual property values ought to be in a less frenzied model. It is now the domain of rich people and a plaything for politicians to win favour with the real estate industry, developers and investors. Worse still, there is no quality control in the rental market with landlords leaving properties in uninhabitable condition while charging premium rent. But this seems to be standard in the free market and public housing as governments are even more negligent when it comes to property maintenance. Follow the money and you can see who the winners are and why there are so many homeless people and so many more on the brink of homelessness and yet many more teetering on the edge of housing and financial stress in Australia. The losers in the current market are the Australian people and the children, the next generation, who must be wondering why they should even bother with this place.

 

Keep Chasing Your Dreams

 

Are we trapped in a “familiar hell” and resisting an “unfamiliar heaven” or is there no heaven and this is the way it is for those at the bottom of the ladder to success, prosperity, abundance and joy? In times of distress, we turn to our default coping mechanisms. For some it’s drugs, alcohol, going for a drive, going for a surf, violence, music, escaping in books and movies, confiding in friends about the difficulties or achieving small goals like simply having a daily shower or going for a five-minute walk or something else that you really don’t want to do but that will boost your mood and spirits immeasurably and will give you a sense of achievement and set the feel-good hormones in motion. This is an extroverted exploration through the journey of survival. For others, it is an introverted escape. Nature, meditation, inner working, doing everything you can to improve yourself, personal development, spiritual growth, mindfulness, fixing inside, healing inside, to cope with all the crap happening around us and hopefully find a way out of the malaise that is poverty, isolation and social exclusion and isolation. Using the crap to create a beautiful garden, inside and outside our selves is one way to cope and keep getting up each day and eventually feel good. This inner work might sound a bit far-fetched, but it’s in your darkest hour that becoming your own best friend will truly be your way out and your source of solace and sanctuary. Positive affirmations might seem “too hard”, but actually your thoughts can be your greatest source of encouragement when they are positive and uplifting. Your mind must be your sanctuary. This is because your own self-belief, self-image and sense of self-worth and potential, plus your goals and aspirations, dreams and desires, is what will lead to others believing in you and giving you the helping hand out of the darkness and towards a bright, better future you want and richly deserve.

 

For Now

 

In the meantime, the horror show must go on, apparently. The recent budget delivered by the Federal Labor Government has offered little relief for those on the DSP, Aged Pension or any other government payment, and very little hope. Meanwhile, the opposition is furiously clinging to its obsession with neoliberal extremism by refusing to support the pittance offered to job seekers in the recent budget. People on social security continue to languish and witness and experience their health, housing security and hope slowly being eroded and whittled away. The spark in their children’s eyes slowly dimmed by the darkness around them. The rest of the nation jump on the ideological extremism bandwagon and turn a blind eye or simply blame people on social security for their lot in life. The lack of empathy and compassion is startling. Corporations take advantage of this vulnerability. Mainstream media deride people on social security and promote the emotional and psychological carnage. Criminally insane politicians in the two major political parties in Australia with an ideological obsession with inflicting maximum financial and emotional damage on the most vulnerable, disadvantaged, impoverished and marginalised in our community continue their sick game, unchallenged and unthreatened, and make up perverse excuses to justify the cruelty and mentally deranged policies destroying lives and homes every day. It is a long way before this horror show ends, but one thing is for certain, this horror show that Australian politicians are subjecting innocent Australians to has gone on for long enough and must end. Social security must be restored to what it was designed and intended to do. Any politician unwilling to do their job and honour their duty to every Australian citizen to act in their best interest does not belong in the Australian Parliament. Ideological extremism and madness does not belong in the Australian Parliament. No amount of tortured and twisted logic, manipulation and name-calling will ever change the fact that honouring your constitutional obligations to the Australian people by giving them liveable social security payments is the role of the Australian Government. The parliamentarian represents all of the Australian people, not ideologues with a dangerous, harmful and damaging agenda. Right now the ALP and LNP are peppered with extremist ideologues determined to increase their own wealth and the wealth of their lobbyists at great expense to Australia’s most vulnerable citizens. Instead of helping people, they are deliberately hurting people in direct contravention of their duty to the Australian citizenry.

 

While this ideological warfare rages and right-wing extremism is shredding the underlying social fabric of Australian society, it is time to shine a bright light on the hundreds of thousands of Australians who are going hungry, sleeping in tents and watching helplessly as their children are cold, sick and sad and their futures become more bleak and darker by the day. This is a shameful time in Australia’s history and it is time to shine a light on how difficult life really is and how little the Governments at every level are doing to really help. By the time society notices people in the gutter, they have lost so much it is impossible to catch up again. There is no level playing field once you’ve lost everything and you’re expected to somehow “start again” with the whole lot of nothing that you have. Australians must ask themselves one question, What kind of Australia do they want? An Australia that is a carbon copy of the worst aspects of American and British society or an Australia that had a proud recent history of being committed to social values of generosity, compassion, mercy and support for those who need it the most. The only caveat on “those who need it the most” is NOT “according to the media and extremist right-wing commentators’ definition of a deserving citizen”. It is simply that the one needing help has the choice to reach out or not. If someone needs help and they reach out, it is the responsibility of the Australian Government to help them as much as possible. The current system is torture and abuse, an abuse of authority and an abuse of the citizenry. Australia stopped having a social security system and being a civilised society decades ago. The final question remains, do we want it back and how do we get it back or is this all acceptable? I for one, living through it, refuse to accept this fate for me or anyone else, for that matter. Every Australian living on an average wage or below is one major or minor catastrophe away from this path. What do you want to be met with if you end up here? What do you believe you deserve to be met with, if you get here, when you’re left wondering, how the hell did I get here? The choice is clear, the status quo: punishment, abuse, judgement and disdain with little access to support services and resources to stay afloat. Or mercy, compassion, support and care and full access to social and community services and resources to keep your head above water, pull you back up over the edge of the cliff and restore hope in your life again. Can Australia adopt a better way to administer social security to the Australian people where reason, common sense and compassion plays a part? Or are we to be condemned to poverty because of right-wing ideological madness and extremism? On the eve of Winter, it is timely to reflect on the suffering going on around the country right now and all the people who are freezing tonight and who feel abandoned and forgotten by their government. As Australians, they deserve to have a warm bed to sleep in and a permanent roof over their head. They deserve to have a future.

 

 

Resources:

 

World Health Organisation. Social Determinants of Health.

https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1

 

Australian Government. Department of Health and Aged Care. Status and Determinants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.

https://www.health.gov.au/topics/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-health/status-and-determinants

 

PS. The holiday has been cancelled without financial penalty to prioritise other expenses later this year.