Petition Tag - help low income families

The Unemployment Benefits in Australia do not do what they are designed to do. There are many*, many** examples of "Dole Bludgers" exploiting the system to get themselves more money to spend on irresponsible, unhealthy personal ventures.

And then there are the numerous individuals who genuinely need the assistance, but increasing prices of living are starting to make this impossible.

There is also the problem of youth choosing to not get a job simply because the dole is a better option financially.***

The solutions may be one and the same: A healthy dole program. If there was a way for the unemployed to have access to the healthy eating proportions that the government tries to encourage, then we would be less likely to have an unemployed population that is obese and wasteful. It would also serve to deter those who wish to live 'the good life' on the dole, as they will be getting what they are recommended and nothing more.

Of course, the program would also need to account for other costs of living like transport and housing, but with a free public transport (including taxis) account and a direct debit for rent/mortgage to the government, this could combat every problem we have with the current system.

* http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/money/money-matters/dole-bludgers-exploiting-weak-welfare-system-job-agency-campbell-page-says/story-fn300aev-1225896852646

** http://www.7perth.com.au/view/today-tonight-articles/dole-bludgers/

*** http://7pmproject.com.au/dole-wages-apprentice.htm

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