Or drive our cars on roads which have been sprayed with salt each night to stop it freezing...rust rust rust....Originally Posted by commodorenut
I am a 10 pound pom, one of the last, arriving in 72, and I love Australia, and I embrace the culture. I do however get annoyed with unemployment benefits being given to those who don't want to work not can't find work...Our daughter finished Uni, and went to centre link to see if she could extend her payments (she is an independent as worked during her uni to get the $18000 in 18months) which ended when she finished her course. They told her she had to apply for jobs, even though she only needed some money until she begins her job in January. So who would want to employ someone for only 5 weeks, and what would she do if she didn't have us to help her, she would need bond money for a flat, money for rego for her car to get herself up to Toowoomba etc. Surely as she will be paying large taxes once she begins work and won't be a burden on society, they could have carried on with her $150/week payment until she started work full time...Oh well just makes me be more vigilant about claiming every cent I can back off the government when I do my taxes....
Apart from that we had our children in the 80's there were no baby bonus's, no child care that was affordable, we took in a border for a while to help with finances, I looked after children after school for working parents, interest rates were 13.5%. the kids had only toys they needed, we didn't have new cars then, and didn't have holidays apart from camping between xmas and new year... Rodney worked long 13 hour days, and we gradually got the house paid off..borrowed money and built flats, borrowed more money bought a commercial premises. When it was time for our kids to go to Uni, we didn't qualify for any handouts from the government, even though there is no choice for country kids as they have to move to cities to go to University. Rodney and I both think that by the time all these children who have been born under the baby bonus will probably end up having there Uni paid for, and/or their accommodation. The kids also have massive HECs debts, but that is accepted, as they will earn good incomes so should be able to pay this off in 10 years....
I still think Australia is a great place and after seeing what goes on in third world countries am pleased we can keep our families safe...and give them what they need, now the kids have finished their studies, the financial burden has eased, which has allowed us to spend money on what we want now...and thanks to some good business decisions by Rodney we are comfortable, and enjoy life....
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