In Question time 26/05/14, Tanya Plibersek, asked a question about our electorate and Michelle Landry, Member for Capricornia. The question was as follows:
My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, There are 8429 families currently receiving Family Tax Benefit B in the seat of Capricornia. How many families with children over the age of six in Capricornia will have their payments cut as a result of this budget? Why should these families suffer because of the Member for Capricornia’s failure to stand up against the Prime Minister’s cuts?
The PM didn’t respond to the implications of the cuts. In fact, he showed no empathy at all. He accused Labor of supporting welfare as “pseudo-generosity.” What he is saying is Labor gives to those in need, but is not genuine in that giving. That this ‘giving’ shouldn’t be taken seriously. He has clearly stated in response to a serious question about this electorate, that he finds welfare to the disadvantaged as ‘generosity’ and not a right.
The Member for Capricornia & LNP believe in a class divide. They clearly believe it will be OK for parents not to be able to afford a balanced healthy lunch for their school children. That they may need to make a decision between a child’s breakfast or lunch. They don’t understand the importance of being able to afford the right school supplies and uniforms. They don’t realise the pain a parent feels when they say, “No honey, I’m sorry, you can’t go on that excursion.” Or, I’d love for you to join a sport with your friends, or take singing lessons for the Eisteddfod, but I’m sorry you just can’t.” Michelle Landry’s LNP sees the money that prevents this pain as an unnecessary generosity and not a right to the disadvantaged.
Landry’s LNP makes decisions from a background of privilege and they will never understand the hardship that the loss of even small amounts of money brings to some families.
The PM then told Labor they should cut the carbon tax, as it will save families $550 per year.
During the question, the camera panned to Ms. Landry. It showed Ms. Landry quite pleased with herself and she was laughing at the Prime Minister’s response to this very serious question.
Ms. Landry was laughing at harsh cuts that will see two parents both working as for example, shop assistants or a general labourer and an admin assistant, with two children, lose $4931 per year; or the jobseeker under 30, who will lose an incredible $6944 per year and have absolutely no income for six months. This person will not have any income for even a basic existence or the basic right to dignity. They will lose a lot more than $550, which is already compensated.
Will Ms. Landry be brave enough when she gets back from the rigours of parliament, to stand up in public and laugh in front of the people who are suffering these harsh cuts, or will she have the decency to stand up to this Government and for the people of Capricornia?
I have also sent this a a letter to the Editor of the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin in response to the question about the affect the budget will have on families in the electorate I live in. I hope it is published so the people in the electorate of Capricornia who voted LNP, understand that they voted for Ms. Landry to bring pain and hardship to this electorate.
Reblogged this on The Australian Independent Media Network and commented:
My response to Tanya Plibersek’s question about budget impacts on families within the electorate of Capricornia.
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http://margaretrosestringer.com/2014/05/27/some-sums-pension-related/
Some more fodder …
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Thank you for posting that Margaret. I have shared your blog post as well. Alarming figures.
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Trish, I am REALLY puzzled about the total silence re the loss of our pension ‘supplement’ – it’s the thing that’s going to make life utter hell if it goes through …
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Yes, that is true. I will do some more research and try and get this info out there as well.
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Very much appreciated, believe me ! Thank-you !
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Its a bit hard to believe just how bad the LNP fascist government really is. And they just dont stop lying “stop the carbon tax will save people $550 per year” a total provable lie! I wish we had some journalists who would just stand there and toe to toe it with this bunch of thugs. But, they back off. When you have a fascist govt like this it is the press that can make the difference, but as we know most people read brother murdochs tripe and never see the truth. I really hope we have a D.D. hang the expense, we will lose far more if this mob are in for a minute more than necersary.
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Well if the $550 is a lie, then Kevin Rudd must be a liar, as he said that is the saving from THE “TERMINATED” CO2 tax. And we all know that feminist Scores supporter would never tell a lie.
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What does feminism have to do with the Carbon Tax?
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The $550 is a lie it was based on forward projections in years to come, with an increase in carbon tax charged, when they knew full well the carbon tax was being moved to a trading scheme, which saw the price charged by the ton would plummet. Secondly they also said savings would be from reductions in electricity bills, to which the power companies said would not change with it’s removal, if anything prices will increase, the $550 figure was proven to be a lie by fact checks, and yet the Liberals choose to continue the lie, just like every other lie and broken promise.
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we need a panacea to rid us of these immature parasites. … is this the answer?
https://www.facebook.com/events/660780343970691/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular
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trish, one of my main concerns is the cessation of the pension concession payments from the federal government to the states from 1st July this year. This was hidden in the budget as it is not considered a “direct” payment like the pension. However it could mean a loss of pensioner concessions worth up to $40 weekly. To date this has largely been missed . $40 per week of extra costs to pensioners on top of the other “announced ” cuts means a massive change in the way that pensioners currently survive. There is no commitment from the states that they will take up this matter, and meanwhile the LNP are getting away with this. It was brought up in question time on Monday but, as usual not dealt with correctly.
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Hi Celticjo.
Thank you for your comment.
MargaretRoseStringer has shared this from her blog http://margaretrosestringer.com/2014/05/27/some-sums-pension-related/. I have not heard about these extra pension cuts. I will be investigating this as well and trying to raise awareness.
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HI Trish,
Thank you for your reply, however MargaretRoseStringer has not even included these potential Concession losses in her calculations, so would be even worse off than estimated. We really need to know 1) what will ALP be doing about these and/ or 2) do the states intend to continue the concessions for pensioners despite the loss of funding for them from the Commonwealth. Thank you in anticipation of your follow through. (The reason you may not have heard about them is, as I said, was that they were buried in the Budget because they are not considered as Direct Payments to pensioners but amounts paid to the states as federal assistance to concession funding who then pass it on).
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A man asked Hockey about this on QandA. He just blustered on about Labor lies, how they are not cutting the pension and then refused to acknowledge he knew what the pensioner man was talking about.
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Hopefully you will keep this and the picture of Landry and post it all around your electorate along with Abbotts reply. Remind ppl every day what these scumbag Torys are all about
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Landry is an oinker, like most of her government colleagues.
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Typical leftard misogynist. Bet you got a hard on watching Julie Bishop and Sophie Mitabella getting assaulted by your bludging mates.
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“or the jobseeker under 30, who will lose an incredible $6944 per year and have absolutely no income for six months.”
What an absolute lie. This is total crap for two reasons:
1. A jobseeker gets credit for each year of employment. If a person cant get a job by the time they are 30 – bad luck.
2. The jobseeker would still receive the Youth Allowance, instead of Newstart when he applies.
Typical ALP crap by you.
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Good read thank you
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Thanks for this great post. Although the whole topic is worrying. I’ve just started writing some blogs about Austalia’s economic plight. Keep up the good work!
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Thanks Terry. I look forward to reading your blog.
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