snoop

Wasn't sure whether to put this under parenting or Australia regional, but here it is: Australia recently gave parents $600 per child as a one off bonus (its an election gimmick) paid directly into back accounts.

This is the result:
"An 80 per cent increase in poker machine takings in South Australia in the past week is being linked with the Federal Government's child bonus that was paid last week."
read the article here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...6/s1140231.htm

I just think there is a better way to ensure this money was spent on the kids, rater than the parents whims . . .


oh well, enough of my complaining

S

raeanna74

Well in Wisconsin (Other states too) we have the "WIC" program (Women, Infants & Children) who's main goal is to improve nutrician for low income families. They give the parents "checks" with the kinds and amounts of certain foods that can be purchased with the checks. The income limit is sufficient to cover even families with 2 blue collar incomes. The kinds of food they provide are cheese, milk, eggs, peanut butter, beans, cereal, and juice. I think it's an excellent way of being sure that they states "gift" of money is used to improve the actual lifestyle of the people instead of being thrown away on chance.

__________________
"Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama
My Karma just ran over your Dogma.

Ella

Snoop, as an Australian parent who received the one off payment, and also as an employee of the organisation who made these payments, I would be very hesitant to tar all parents with the same brush.

Sure, there are those who will head out and piss it up against a wall. But I daresay the vast majority will spend it either directly or indirectly on their kids. As it was intended to be used.

__________________
"Afterwards, the universe will explode for your pleasure."

snoop

Ella

I would think that the parents who are inclined to "piss it up against a wall", have the children who are the most in need. I have heard further reports that in Geraldton (WA) the sales of pot have gone through the roof, and alcohol sales in NT have sky rocketed.

For mine, vouchers (or checks as described by raeanna74
) or a couple of installments would allow for better management.

S

__________________
------------------------------------------------
Insert Witty Slogan Here . . . . .

Ella

I don't doubt that, Snoop. But given there were over 2 million payments made, and taking into account how the media love to sensationalise this stuff, I'm just saying a balanced view is needed.

Of course the media will highlight these cases, as they are with the new maternity bonus coming in after 1st July - there were reports of girls wanting to have babies just to get the $3000. This is of concern, and I would hope these individuals would somehow be advised as to the real implications of having a child. But again, these cases would be rare - just widely reported. And that is definitely the one that should be paid in installments.

__________________
"Afterwards, the universe will explode for your pleasure."

uscmba02

I'm not exactly sure how this works in Australia. However, if the one off payment was a tax refund, then there is only one way to spend it (IMHO): Just exactly however the people who earned it in the first place choose to spend it.

J.

Ella

Nope, not a tax refund, mate. It was a "gift" from the Government to those parents receiving child related payments from Social Security. Strange but true.

__________________
"Afterwards, the universe will explode for your pleasure."