2011 proposed changes to the Australian DSP will destroy Philippine families due to a minority group being targeted.
This is an attempt for the government to save an estimated 3 million dollars by limiting overseas travel for people on disabilities.
If these changes come into effect what next? Will the old age pensioners be targeted then? just think of how many people are supported by Australians on old age pensions overseas!
According to a Joint Media Release with The Hon Jenny Macklin MP (minister for FAMILIES, housing, community services and indigenous affairs) and The Hon Bill Shorten MP, (Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services), In the 2007-8 period only 154 people are currently staying overseas for more than 3 trips a year. I currently spend 3 months in Australia and 9 months in the Philippines raising my family, receiving medical attention and helping the poor.
My concern is that I have a family here in the Philippines and will not be able to support them on my DSP payments if I am required to stay in Australia for 6 months at a time. I told centrelink about my intentions regarding getting married and having children 3 years ago and was told that it would not affect my payments and that I could be with my family as long as I returned to Australia every 3 months.
I have a 2 and a half year old son who needs constant attention, a 10 year old adopted daughter and a 13 year old relative under my care. Under the current system I can afford to send them to school and pay medical expenses. The proposed changes will mean that I will not be able to survive living in Australia whilst sending money home to support them.
In addition to this it’s the emotional strain of being apart from my family. My son will be severely affected by my absence, as will the other children. Not to mention my wife who has put up with my illness and been the pillar of strength throughout. Shes so worried now.
A common misconception is that people living overseas on DSP are living like kings or ‘flying high’ on tax payers money. (according to an article in an Australian newspaper). I feel that this is a blatant lie. DSP recipients whilst in Australia receive many benefits that cost the government millions. Also due to the 3 month limit on overseas travel, the air tickets are being purchased in Australia, adding to Australias economy. I have to save a third of my DSP payments to pay for airfares but can still just manage to support my family.
Whilst I am overseas we rent a run down house and don't own a car. We live on rice, fish and veges and still manage to save a little for airfares (as any stays abroad of more than 3 months will cancel my DSP payments). We can also help the poor in mountainous regions by donating educational books.
My wife and myself are Rotary International members. Whilst overseas we are involved in feeding programs, caring for the elderly, medical/dental missions, and clean water programs. It’s through these projects that I am able to limit medications and lead a somewhat ‘normal’ existence.
Whilst in Australia I send educational & school books to remote area schools that have little funding from their government. These books are purchased from garage sales, op-shops and kindly donated by friends and relatives. I pay the postage to get the books overseas and then donate them personally by my wife and myself. To date we have donated 900 books to 8 remote schools. I have a further 1600 books to send in Australia and have only been doing this for 2 years. The program is just starting to kick off, but will be stopped next year as I will not be able to afford to send them when the new changes are implemented.
It seems to me the Australian government are targeting a minority group to save a few dollars. In the end when these DSP recipients are forced away from their families they will cost the government much more in ancillary benefits whilst in Australia. Also there will be a LOT of people out there whose lives and families have been negatively impacted, even destroyed, by these changes.
Whist overseas we don't receive any baby bonus’, phone allowances, public housing, medical benefits, rent assistance, food vouchers, help with electricity payments (or other bills) or free registration on our vehicles. Please consider this if you comment on ‘spending tax payers money overseas’. I paid tax and didn't ask for this disability. I loved my life the way it was before. I never wanted to be in this predicament. And I definitely didn't expect the government to tell me it was ok to marry overseas and have kids, then tell me I couldn’t be with them or even be able to support them.
This is my first post so I hope its portrayed correctly. I’m really trying to bring it to the publics attention that lives WILL be destroyed by these changes. Many of the people targeted don't have a voice or may not know how to speak out, (Lord knows it took me forever to learn to type out this post with one finger!).
If you are affected by these changes please check out: dspoverseas.proboards.com it's a meggage board for Australians on DSP in similar predicaments. there are helpful links and email addresses to Australian politicians. Please have a voice and contact some of these people!
I have sent 6 emails to Jenny Macklin (minister for FAMILIES etc) but have had no reply to date.
I did get an email back from centrelink (disability support pension provider) telling me to contact Jenny Macklin, but again, I had no reply back from her.
Once again I hope I have created this post correctly and hope that I have brought this to peoples attention.
How many lives are these changes going to destroy not just right here in the Philippines, but globally?
From a concerned FAMILY...
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Topic: 2011 changes to DSP in Australia will destroy philippine families! old age next? (Read 1317 times)