For Aussies

[insearchof]

Looks like Currer was correct. this isn't Tony abbots idea........this is taking place in the UK right now......there is a thread on it here http://forums.phoenixrising.me/show...ot-Project-(4-April-2011)&p=169339#post169339

This should serve as a warning to us......because we have a track record of adopting UK proposals.

 

[taniaaust1]

Sean

I don't trust the man nor do I think he is a good leader. He is a joke to the media and the general public!. Did anyone see him on the news/7pm project trying to show people (at a factory) that anyone can do an unskilled job? - after being shown how to pack a box and close it, he then tried it by himself and stuffed up LMAO. He always shoots himself in the foot with these "ideas" and the media always goes to town on it.

I wouldn't get too worried yet..

LOL yeah.. that was so funny and that job was so simple too which he himself couldnt do. Would we really trust him to run a country when he cant even learn to shut a lit on a box before it goes throu their processing machine so gets stuck.
........

Ah well. at least he's honest so admits he's a lier unlike Julia who tries to hide it. I refused to vote for either last election and put in a blank election form with a note on it that I didnt want either of these to be leading a country.

 

[taniaaust1]

Mr Abbott says that with only just over 1 per cent of disability pensioners moving back into the workforce each year and nearly 60 per cent of recipients having potentially treatable mental health or muscular-skeletal conditions, it is time for reform.

''What's needed is a more sophisticated benefit structure that distinguishes between disabilities that are likely to be lasting and those that could be temporary, and that provides

more encouragement for people with some capacity for work.'' Better directing of disability payments could help to part-fund ''much greater assistance to people with very serious disabilities'', as recently proposed by the Productivity Commission.

He says the government in Britain has reformed its disability pension, with more targeted payments for people whose disabilities might not be permanent

umm could the fact actually be that only 1% of those on disability move back to the workforce be due to the fact they are all completely disabled so have no chance of working for a living. So hence can also be used to show that our criteria to get people on the dole is already quite strict.

I'd be very concerned if 20-50% of those getting disability were ending up able to work!!! That would prove ones were getting disability who shouldnt be. If anything they should be making disability easier to get as too many who cant work due to health many with very long term issues are stuck on the dole.
........

umm Im not up to it as Ive currently got too much stress in my life already with court case Im going throu and completely overwhelmed. But it would be great if someone could do a good letter (or a group work together to form a good letter) with references to counter Abbotts proposal along with a list of all the MPs to send it to, which we could all copy and use.

Im extremely worried what they could do to disability allowance. For us cut backs in this would be disasterous due to our high costs of living re supplements etc. Politians should be made aware now of what his proposal could do to us before this all goes too far. (I guess its a good chance to to educate them a little more on our illness).

 

[Snow Leopard]

I guess Abbott doesn't want to get re-elected..

 

[taniaaust1]

More worrying news is out for us today .. Im very worried. Our PM, Julia Gillard now wants to get those on disability working.

Asked if people on disability pensions would be targeted, Ms Gillard replied: "Inevitability that would cause fewer people on welfare, because given the choice I want to see people in the workforce, not on welfare".

"We do have to build those bridges into the workforce, give people the skills and training they need to get a job opportunity."

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8233805/fewer-people-should-be-on-welfare-says-pm

 

[WillowJ]

bridge to workforce programs to get people off welfare are supposed to be for those that are just poor--but actually physically capable--and on welfare from the we-generously-don't-want-people-to-starve-even-if-they-make-bad-choices dynamic (and besides many simply had no upbringing to teach them how to make good choices), not for those disabled. disabled people on pension would love to work, but cannot. if we could we would not be applying for disability.

get real, politicians.

 

[insearchof]

Well said Willow!

Bizzare words from Gillard. Amazingingly short sighted. She takes a hit in the polls this week, the biggest slump for a Labour leader in what, 8 years I think they said, and she comes out with this news, which is quite contrary to traditional labour philosophy. Maybe she is going for a record in the polls as the most unpopular leader we will have ever have? Strangely it looks like she is taking Tony Abbot's lead. Well that is sure to dispell notions about her lack lustre, pro active, lack of vision- leadership style isn't it?.

Julia, I couldn't get any more highly skilled. Skills are not going to help me, but the following might:

* research funding into XMRV and bio physical causes associated with ME and treatment options
* abolition of RACP guidelines on CFS
* funding for GP training on how to diagnose ME
* funding for and greater in home care and assistance for people disabled with ME.

If such had been in place, who knows - I may have been able to ''walk'' without assistance, over ''that bridge'' and return to my highly skilled job some time ago.

 

[taniaaust1]

Some of us would in fact be working as much as we are able if it wasnt for the fact that if you can do a tiny bit of work, Centrelink then expects that you are able to work more. My specialists told me quit what work I was doing (I loved my couple of hrs a week of work) which was already a struggle to do as Centrelink pushed me even harder to then get more work and I was already working at my full capability.
They caused me to have a car accident and smash up two cars due to them trying to get me to work more and I was too tired to be doing so.

So yeah.. Im now sit on my butt EVERY DAY... due to Centrelink forcing me to do more work then I could do. Its not helping us get back into the work force.. but making us sicker and less able to work.

I was on a special program for helping the disabled get back into work which made me worst.. I bet those kind of programs is what Juila Gillard has in mind. Those are "bridging" programs to help the disabled get work, I think I actually remember the term bridging being used in the program ... .her very words used, makes me think she's been looking into these).

The disability bridging program in was in was voluntary to join but once in it... it was quite forced.. with actual threats of cut off of centrelink payment if didnt work a certain number of hrs per week (for me with the degree of illness i had, the goverment agency set a contract for me to be doing 6 hrs per week work). You couldnt really say no to anything in fear of being kicked from centrelink and I wasnt well enough to do the 6 hrs per week. Just couldnt do it.

They helped you find, so called jobs suitable for the disability you had. Thing is, they thought I was making excuses when I tried knocking the very unsuitable jobs back (not one job was suitable).. hence me ending up with a part time house clearing job using chemicals I couldnt handle. (I have MCS, the experience made my MCS worst too)

I dont wish to go throu that hellish experience again but I think that is what we all are in for.. a certain amount of hrs allocated per week that they will try to make us do.. helping us to get so called 'suitable' jobs for us while saying they are specialists in helping the disabled. (That is what I was told, hence one of the reasons I signed up but if Gillard or Abbot gets their way, it wont be voluntary to join)

Who is the best minister or person to be emailing about all this? Who should we be sending mail to about why this is a very bad idea for at least us?

 

[insearchof]

More disturbing news for us I am afraid.

It seems that the Gillard government in its attempt to balance the books and address $ needed to put Qld back on the map, is going to slash $400M from the NHMRC budget for medical research. The Walter and Eliza Hall Inst have stated publicly that this will stop research dead and will put Australia back 10 years generally in the field.

The cuts represent 20% of the NHMRC budget and will be spread over 3 years. Several researchers and universities have written open letters of complaint and the Walter and Eliza Hall Inst in Melbourne has started a campaign here: http://www.discoveriesneeddollars.org/rallyforresearch

There will be a rally between 12.45 - 2pm at the State Library Victoria to protest about this. See: http://www.discoveriesneeddollars.org/rallyforresearch.

If you have friends or family that work in Melbourne CBD area, may be you could encourage them to get there during their lunch hour?


ISO

 

[Tulip]

Crap...

The problem is that "disabled" covers injury, intellectual disability, mental health and the physically sick (us). They need to leave the physically sick people like us alone and focus on helping deaf people, those with an intellectual disability, mental health and people with a stuffed leg/arm/back that can work in some capacity and won't risk death at being made to work.

Not happy jan

 

[Tulip]

Ok found more on this..

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nat...get-more-working/story-fn59niix-1226034353857

"The changes will include an attempt to make it more difficult for people with some forms of mental illness to qualify for the disability support pension.

The disability support pension scheme has expanded rapidly over the past decade, fuelled in part by a growth in the number of people diagnosed with a mental illness who are deemed unfit for work. But a new impairment table, to be implemented in January, has been designed to ensure that those who are capable of holding down a job are moved off benefits and into the labour market.

The government is examining a range of new gate-keeping rules to try to stem the growth in disability support pensioners."

 

[biophile]

Evidence that Australia is following UK's lead

Didn't Australia already go through a big wave of "cracking down on welfare" and rolling out "welfare to work" programs only a few years ago? I did a quick search and I may have found a clue as to why the disability pension has recently been targeted, here is an article from the 14th February 2011:

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-new...udget-in-surplus/story-fn7ik2te-1226005498241

(emphasis added)

The Business Council president, Graham Bradley, urged the Government to review its budget plans and consider cuts to the disability pensions and foreign aid. Council president Graham Bradley today told ABC radio that spending on disability pensions should be reassessed.

"It is one of the large budget items," he told ABC Radio's AM.

"And if you look at what countries overseas are doing in this regard ... for example in the United Kingdom, they are taking a really hard look to make sure that there aren't people currently incentivised to be on disability pensions who really would be much better off going back to work, even if it is only part-time or less rigorous work.

"We need to be doing everything we can to reduce the incentives, including the tax disincentives for people to go back to work."

Considering how people have been deceived by the PACE trial, I shudder at the thought of an ignorant politician or a "business leader" making a decision based on similar "evidence".

 

[TinyT]

Well said Willow!

Bizzare words from Gillard. Amazingingly short sighted. She takes a hit in the polls this week, the biggest slump for a Labour leader in what, 8 years I think they said, and she comes out with this news, which is quite contrary to traditional labour philosophy. Maybe she is going for a record in the polls as the most unpopular leader we will have ever have? Strangely it looks like she is taking Tony Abbot's lead. Well that is sure to dispell notions about her lack lustre, pro active, lack of vision- leadership style isn't it?.

Julia, I couldn't get any more highly skilled. Skills are not going to help me, but the following might:

* research funding into XMRV and bio physical causes associated with ME and treatment options
* abolition of RACP guidelines on CFS
* funding for GP training on how to diagnose ME
* funding for and greater in home care and assistance for people disabled with ME.

If such had been in place, who knows - I may have been able to ''walk'' without assistance, over ''that bridge'' and return to my highly skilled job some time ago.

Very well said insearchof.

I too am highly skilled and not able to work. I am not on disability benefits but feel for those who are and are being threatened by this new political bandwagon/trend. I also used to work with those who had a disability.

I read a great article the other day by someone who has a disability, is well trained/skilled and has struggled to get into the workforce because of the lack of employer support, flexible working conditions and disabled access issues : http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/31/3178976.htm

I think Julia is just jumping on the bandwagon, which is an unfortunate trait of most of our politicians. "Oh, thats whats popular opinion at the moment? gee I better plug that strategy, policy, etc."

Instead of denying benefits to those with a disability that need them, or pushing those with a disability back into the workforce when they are clearly unable, the government should be advocating for more employer incentives to make workplace changes and flexible working conditions for those with a disability that WANT to work and are ABLE to. E.g. part time, flexible working hours, flexible working conditions, disability accessible environments, special arrangements at work (e.g. a rest room or more frequent work breaks, special equipment), job share, etc. I sure you all could think of a few ideas!

While I am not trying to get back into work nor looking at the moment (I am trying to do some post-grad very very part-time study), If I wasn't studying/had finished I might be on the lookout for a very part time job. Unfortunately in my sector (healthcare) the part-time jobs are few and far between, and usually for mums who return to work post-maternity leave. I have rarely seen part-time jobs for less than 10hrs/per week. I also think that If I went to a job interview saying "I have a chronic disease, I need flexible starting hours, flexible working conditions and may need to call in sick at the last minute", no-one would hire me. Which is a darn shame because I am highly skilled and (was) darn good at my job.

 

[alex3619]

Don't forget the Greens and independents will have the balance of power soon. They need to be informed of the issues as well, as they can force amendments to the legislation. Its looking very much like all our leaders have major problems with their capacity to lead - so is it even possible to vote for candidates who are worth voting for at the next election?

 

[Snow Leopard]

Does anyone remember Bush's plan to get those people on the dsp in the USA back to work? Does anyone remember how much of a failure it was?

 

[sickness]

i think the USA with WPI is our best chance, then maybe montoya doing his infections studies and hopefully dr lerner pumps something out to back them up. KDM is also a chance.
Im sending small amounts of money WPI's way, hopefully more aussies start doing the same as well as other countries and it gives them and cfs a big push. Imagine $10 from every cfs sufferer, thats alot of dough.

cheers!!!

I agree with you 100% I'm sending small amounts to the WPI when I can too.
Just yesturday I had a doctor here in W.A. suggest GET for me. She said it was the only thing shown to consistently help people with ME/CFS. Reeeeaaalllyyy....... I feel like we are still in the dark ages. Because she suggested excercise to me ten (or more) years ago, I can no longer work, and hardly leave the house. It's just like a broken record. So very bloody frustrating I want to scream.

take care, ness

 

[Sean]

But a new impairment table, to be implemented in January, has been designed to ensure that those who are capable of holding down a job are moved off benefits and into the labour market.

If they are capable of holding down a job then why the hell were they put on the pension to start with? The assessment process is not exactly a rubber stamp. The reality is that they are just going to use the usual dirty trick of arbitrarily redefining what disabled means.

One of the points I was trying to make before was that even if Abbott does not get into power, he is providing cover for the other side to do the same kind of stuff. Having the Greens, etc, hold the balance of power gives us no protection if both the main parties agree on the policy.

Sorry folks, but this is just bad news all round.

 

[Snow Leopard]

I doubt the Labor party will approve the (Liberal Party) policy as written, so we will see.

Note that Abbott's rhetoric about 'treatable' conditions is in effect saying that they have willingly not tried the treatment and therefore chosen to be disabled. It's the old blame the patient game.

 

[Tulip]

What I want to know is why aren't they targeting healthy single mums that CAN work and are a HUGE drain on the system, especially the ones that keep popping out kids from different fathers so they never have to work :Retro mad: There are so many that are rorting the system. From what I keep reading this is a crackdown on people rorting the system, not actually an "overhaul" of the system...

 

[insearchof]

I hope your right Tuliip, but unfortunately with the idea that GET is all we need and that we get well if we stick with the program (according to Lloyd) - then those with CFS may be seen as roting the system.

Maybe we just have to refer Lloyd to the presentations made at the State of Knowledge seminar in the USA - which indicates a lot of serious physiological manifestations - which will never be rectified by GET.

For example, Dr John Chia finds that over 70% of patients have persistent enteroviral infections. He has identified a method of ascertaining viral load present and equating that with level of disability. Those with a level 2 staining he said, are completely disabled.

I dont see how lloyd et al can maintain GET in light of evidence presented at the state of knowledge conference on CFS that would suggest underlying physiological abnormalities cannot be remedied by such and that patients abnormalities result in a disabling illness.

More noise about this matter should be made.