If you thought Howard's Northern Territory "intervention" to quarrantine dole payments of aboriginal people was a good idea - Rudd's new proposed law might change your mind. The federal government is about to introduce the same idea for all people receiving the dole and single parent's payment.
From 2012 50% of payments will be withheld - supposedly to cover the necessities of life - such as for rent, food and clothing. Most people know however that the dole , which is now $100 a week less than the pension (but still $40 a week more than Austudy) is often bearly enough to cover $100 of private rents in the worst accomodation available.
