Can someone explain this budget to me?? -

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I don't know where the jobs are going to materialise from, for the young teenage mothers of one year old babies, and how childcare centres will cope with the increased demand. Many jobs that 15yos are hired for, are casual and involve shift work - that doens't sound compatible with someone who has family responsibilities (and might be bf-ing).

parents of one year olds aren't expected to go out and work. there is an understanding that welfare may well be needed until children are school aged. beyond that, welfare may still be paid, but people actually have to come to the party and help themselves as well. the welfare to work reforms have been in place long term (at least four to five years) - it's just in the media now because of the budget. 15 hours a week commitment from primary carers to make themselves more employable, rather than sitting around losing skills every day and making themselves more likely to remain on welfare long term

the mention of parents of one year olds in the budget is in reference to 10 specific locales across Australia. it's not stating people have to start working immediately on their child turning one, it's about not allowing people to be on welfare LONG TERM (as seems to be the case for a significant portion of the population in those targetted areas) without making sure they are aware of their options and obligations as their children age. it's about making sure the cycle of welfare dependence is broken in those families as soon as possible. about helping them to become self sufficient. instead of being placed on parenting payment when their first child is born, and being left on that payment until their youngest child hits school aged, they will have annual/bi annual/quarterly interviews with Centrelink (depending on age of children).

think about a parent that has their first of, say, four children at 18. average gap 2 years (so babe at 18 20 22 and 24). she has left school, with basic year 12 education. under the current rules, she is not under any obligation to do ANYTHING to get payment until her youngest child is six. so from 18-30 - TWELVE YEARS - no obligations on her to be able to get that payment. twelve years of her employability reducing etc

all of a sudden, baby number 4 turns 6 and she is told she has to either engage now in study, or start looking for work. she is unskilled, and has no warning or encouragement to upskill and all of a sudden is told to look for work. new rules, for those locales, will have them meeting with c'link earlier and more regularly, with the aim to keep them motivated and ready to start study or work when their children are at school

does that make sense?