what the hell is going on in Australia?????

Eve75

Abstudy is exactly the same as Austudy!! same rates of payment etc etc etc!!!!!

So, why the destinction? Just call it austudy, to cover everyone??? There has to be some difference.

The interest rate bonus is a huge benefit for the aboriginal population. Just as the programmes for easier entry into uni's. So,just as the OP may be angry at 'non Australians'' getting benefits, that she believes should be hers, I think alot of 'white' Australians, see themselves missing out on benefits, due to the colour of their skin.

(Just being the devils advocate here.)

Just to point out, that as lucky as we are in this country to get benefits, it's never enough. If you are able to have a computer, with an internet connection, things can't be too bad.
[Edited on 23/02/2010]

The reason that Centrelink asks those questions Spunkbubble is that Aboriginal people often have a whole other lot of stuff going on that they may need help with. Most Centrelink offices will have an Aboriginal liaison officer who will help them if they need. This help may include, interpretations, or just a friendly face in a system that can seem confusing.

I am aboriginal and I have NEVER received a higher rate of any payment for anything in my adult life, although I do think abstudy may have been slightly higher. This is obviously to try and keep Aboriginal teens in school and to help them with expenses that most would struggle to keep up with.

And as for home loans, I do believe that ATSIC used to give reduced rates, but I am not sure if that is the case now. However, I find it more worrying that people of a certain religious faith can a 'halal home loan' which seems a whole lot more advantageous than a regular 'Aussie' home loan!

Posted by: *Frankie*

Posted by: Bungie
My Grandfather fought for this country too, and New Zealand. It's very sad that there are still opinions like yours out there. Racism will never go away. You need to learn some tolerance, I may be an Aussie/Kiwi, but I am just as important and equal as anyone who lives here.

holy hell I wish you would open your eyes and read what I am saying ....

blah ..I am going to bed ..your anoying the snot out of me !!

I know what you are saying...

Born here = First priority.

Anyone else (citizen or not) = Second priority.

My grandpa was a British immigrant, he HAD to become Australian citizen because he was told IF he left the country he would not be allowed back in. He wanted to leave for work in Africe FIFO, he is 76 yrs old and STILL works! He has lived here since he was 17, all his children, Gchildren and GGchildren are here. He owns his own house and pays for ALL his bills himself. He asks nothing from the 'government'.

My FIL owns his own home BUT claims every entitlement he can. Senior pension the lot. He is NOT Australian citizen he has a PR and is a Malaysian Citizen. When DH got his Australian citizenship he 'told' him off and called him stupid. The way he sees it and many other people with PR, why become a citizen when you can claim ALL the benefits anyway.

People I know on PR visa's can receive austudy, but I wanted to quit a full time job to study full time (I was doing both and it was getting too hard) when I was 17 and told I wouldn't receive any austudy because my parents earn too much. $45k+ per year in a family of 6 kids is stuff all, on top of that I started working when I was just over 15!

I could get started on refugees too! I used to live on Christmas Island I know what they get, it is sickening! There are people that live in this country that need help, they don't ask for it, but these refo's GOD some demand it!!!

Unless it's changed, abstudy is higher than austudy.My best friend in high school was half aboriginal and she got abstudy. She told me.

I confirmed that in my previous post Bungie. However, school for me was 15 odd years ago, so it may very well have changed. The only way to know for certain would be to ring Centrelink or check their website.


[Edited on 23/02/2010]

Posted by: My*LiL*X
Eve75

Abstudy is exactly the same as Austudy!! same rates of payment etc etc etc!!!!!

Sorry it's not Aboriginal children recieve Abstudy from the age of 14yrs where as non Aboriginal children don't recieve youth allowance til they are 16yrs. Another payment I know of is the school term allowance that is paid to people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.

Bungie

I never received abstudy when i was younger because my mum and step dad earnt too much but it depends on your parents income...Abstudy is still income tested and in some cases yes ppl on abstudy can get more but in the same token they can get less too depending on their employment situation or their parents employment situation!! it's the same as Austudy

we should be so lucky...people come to this country because they know that we are the lucky country...they come here with good intentions...to better the lives of their family and children and im sure if any of you were in the same situation you would do exactly the same thing...its about them making their lives better not bludging and like "our own" everyone needs a little assistance to get on their feet...and i might add that most of the immigrants that come here are so grateful that they work their bloody arses off hence whywe have italina, lebanese and indian resturants, thats why we have specialised grocers!!! i think we should worry about "our own" bums lining up outside the centrelink office to collect their fortnightly benefits so they can go to the pub and piss and gamble it away!!!

Posted by: My*LiL*X
Bungie

I never received abstudy when i was younger because my mum and step dad earnt too much but it depends on your parents income...Abstudy is still income tested and in some cases yes ppl on abstudy can get more but in the same token they can get less too depending on their employment situation or their parents employment situation!! it's the same as Austudy

Agreed. I had friends getting more on austudy than I was getting on abstudy because of means testing.

A lot of people are forgetting that we have an obligation nder UN guidelines to take & help refugees. We can't take refugees then just dump them on the streets to fend for themselves - that would create much bigger problems. You're also forgetting that there are plenty of "real" Aussies who rort the system. Somehow they are able to sit for years on the dole - how can it take that long to get a job?

My DH & his family came here as refugees from a war torn country & he is forever grateful for the assistance given to them to start a new life. They are now hardworking taxpaying members of this country. It's not the assistance given that is the problem. It's the fact that Centrelink cannot seem to catch the people who are rorting the system. I know someone who has been reported 3 times & they are still getting benefits. They investigated all 3 times but it's still happening. Centrelink needs to crack down on those that are rorting the system - that alone would save this country millions.

A lot of people are forgetting that we have an obligation nder UN guidelines to take & help refugees. We can't take refugees then just dump them on the streets to fend for themselves - that would create much bigger problems.

OMG.. what a read... lol anyway just wanted to add my 2 cents into this... just reading the above quote is so so true.. we are truly blessed to have been born in "The lucky" country... and being in our country comes with certain obligations....

However to the posters who believe that refugee people have it easier and jump the queue, get on benefit quicker blah blah blah have you ever stopped to think why they are a refugee??

Through my work I have worked with all types of people... I have been very fortunate to meet some truly amazing people that have great stories and many horror stories that I would only read about or see on a dvd.... could you imagine nursing your baby while your baby is dying of starvation?? not being able to supply fresh water, road side bombing... caring for your young siblings as your parents have both died of aids, working at 8... many refugee's sit in there camps just hoping they will be sent to the "lucky country" as the majoirty of other countrys do not offer the support that we offer...

Some of these refugee's do not know what a stove is, a fridge... to where clothes, 3 meals a day or not to leave a 6 year old in charge of 3 sibblings at home while they take one of there brothers or sisters to the hospital... this is because where they came from life was tough....

Maybe ask questions, talk to these people... I tell you they are amazing... I would actually like to tap into the support system for our refugee's.... things like shopping, clothing... the honestly are petrified....and have no idea.... "but they are in the lucky country"....