PM Abbott: The unemployed should “accept any job that they can reasonably do”
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has spoken strongly about Australia’s unemployed population, saying that they should take any work they can get. Speaking to the media in South Australia, Mr Abbott said: “If there is a job available you don’t really have the option of failing to accept it if the alternative is life on unemployment benefits… People have no right to hold out for the job of their dreams while they are on unemployment benefits. They have to accept any job that they can reasonably do that is offered to them.” Mr Abbott went on to speak in defence of his controversial budget. “We believe that the measures are absolutely necessary for the long-term strength of our country and we intend to get these measures through,” he said.
First people charged with female genital mutilation in NSW committed to stand trial
The first people charged with female genital mutilation in NSW have been committed to stand trial. A sheikh, a retired nurse and the mother of the two girls in question are accused of performing the procedure for cultural reasons on the girls, aged six and seven. The accused will return to court on June 20.
Brisbane man jailed for breaking into homes and filming himself masturbating near sleeping women and children
A Brisbane man involved in a series of sinister break and enters on Brisbane’s north side has been jailed for eight years. 42-year-old John William Goodwin was convicted of breaking into 38 homes and secretly filming himself masturbating next to 64 women and children. Goodwin’s crimes were discovered after he uploaded some of his footage to a Russian child pornography website.
Thai military government detain former PM and take control of national media
Civil unrest has continued in Thailand with Thailand’s army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha declaring himself acting prime minister and detaining former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The military have not released details on Yingluck’s whereabouts, although they have said that they do not intend to detain her for more than a week. Thai residents have been subjected to a series of new laws following the coup, including a ban on gatherings of more than five people, a national 10pm curfew as well as the blacking out of all radio and television stations not controlled by the military. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has warned Australians about travelling in the area, saying that Australian tourists should pay close attention to their personal security.
Top Comments
Congratulations David, one of our finest Indigenous Actors. So pleased you are travelling well, kudos.
The problem is that there aren't enough jobs to go around! People aren't unemployed due to laziness or fussiness. I know several tertiary qualified people frantically hunting for anything (shelf-stacking, cleaning hotel rooms, pulling pints etc.) and they're still not having any luck.
Also because finding work costs money (phone credit, internet, printing, stamps, transport to interviews etc.), cutting people off Newstart could actually be counter-productive.
How do we expect anyone to find a job if their phone is cut off or they can't buy a train ticket to get to an interview? (Let alone if they're an emotional wreck because they are hungry and living on the street!).
Abbott just has no idea how the other half live. I recently graduated uni with distinctions and could not find a job. I ended up selling a lot of my stuff to be able to afford rent and after applying for 40 jobs (and only one offer of an interview) I became a minimum-wage earning receptionist. That's certainly not going to pay off my hecs debt, especially if the proposed interest is introduced.