David Farrar: Kids on the DPB

Valid discussion about abuse of the DPB. However, how many beneficiaries are taking advantage of the taxpayer and the system and how many are genuine and in dire straits with no sign of a break.?

In my situation I work one day a week to maintain my midwifery registration and give my children much needed attention following my marriage separation. My budget had a $173 fortnightly shortfall which today jumped to $234 in the red every fortnight following the reduction of my special benefit. How have I survived so far? I have had one food grant, advances to pay my power bill before disconnection which are repayable. I have survived on the generosity of family and friends who have paid for groceries and odd bits for the kids. I juggle between my money between bills each week and pray that the kids don’t get sick and my car keeps running. I do maintain my one luxury which is my internet access which I balance out with the fees from my reseller hosting clients so my hobby pays for itself.

Am I taking advantage? Definitely not. I do not intend to have any unsupported and unplanned pregnancies and my perspective of women on the DPB changed dramatically when I was thrown into this situation. I am under budget advice and my budget is pared down to the absolute basics. My husband helps where he can, but has been through a few jobs with variable income as well as his own expenses. He pays for clothes for the children and has recently assisted with some petrol costs (otherwise it is a long drive for him to collect the kids). I could work full-time and will be working with my budget advisor tomorrow to see if this is a viable option. I would have to balance childcare costs against the income a midwife can earn and the family effects of doing shift work. Possible options are training for teaching or doing my Master’s so I can move into lecturing and then I will have kid-friendly working hours, but no immediate fix in sight. I admire the independent midwives who are single mothers because this is not something I am able to do at this stage with young children.