More than one million Australians must try and survive on less than $55 a day on JobSeeker and Youth Allowance government payments.
These people and their families are being forced to live on incomes so low they struggle to eat one meal a day, go without medicine, or freeze during winter.
Yet, despite boasting a surplus of $9.3 billion, the Labor government has decided to not increase JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, and other related payments to the aged pension rate of $80 a day.
One in six Australian children live in poverty, also right here in Geelong. Many of these children are members of families that rely solely on payments such as JobSeeker.
Along with thousands of other Australians I’m devastated that the government’s budget has left these children and their families to go hungry while giving financial benefits to much wealthier people.
A decent and humane government would make sure every one of its citizens had enough money to properly survive.
Robert Van Zetten, Highton
Take heart
What an informative article by Jena Carr (‘Heart-failure concerns increase’, Geelong Independent, 28 June).
A very clear picture was provided of the possible symptoms of heart failure. There are many.
It is common sense to follow up these symptoms with your GP.
Particularly as we age. Life is not a trial run.
Michael J Gamble, Belmont
Hold banks to account
If banks are going to be more transparent about home loans, they need to inform borrowers that the loan was created out of thin air under a capital adequacy ratio or ten to one, for example.
It is time that all bank loans have an origin of funds declaration clause. Failure to do so is financial abuse as interest is charged on bank loans created out of thin air.
If there was a just legal system in Australia, the licences of the major banks should have been revoked years ago due to breaches of fiduciary obligation cover ups.
Bernie Bourke, Balliang
