Drought farmer's Centrelink paperwork to access gov assistance

Facebook post. Welcome to our world farmers

An example of the hoops you have to jump through to get anything out of Centrelink, in this case farmers affected by the severe drought they're having, wanting to access the gov relief being made available to them.

They don't get Turnbull throwing money at them as he did in #reefgate . No, the farmers have to negotiate the nightmare that this gov has made of Centrelink. You have to constantly prove everthing. They assume you're a fraudster trying to rip them off, and you have to prove yourself innocent every step of the way.

It must be terrible to have to access Centrelink for the first time, as perhaps many farmers are presently doing just that; given the severity of the drought. 

I wonder how many of those farmers have long held a grudge against city bludgers who get welfare, especially those evil Newstart people; that Centrelink throws money at you like a prime minister to his #reefgate   mates. Or seeing Julie Bishop flouting her own ministerial guidelines to have her boyfriend along side her at the UN? Only to find out how hard it really is. And on and on....... 

My sympathies. Welcome to our world.

Where you pay taxes through the nose to the gov for 30 years, working full time in a trade, through untold adversity, get sick, and then getting told to "see a charity" whilst Centrelink sorted out their comma's and full stops. When they cut your payment in the process of their process. Whilst all you have is enough for the rent, but nothing else, and are in tears at the Centrelink office just about begging them to do something. Will never forget that one.

Or when in the middle of all this, when you're so upset and anxious (to the point of regular severe panic attacks that you can't even move) to get the payments that allow you to eat-etc sorted out. When they infer they'll call the cops to get you out if you don't settle down (yes I've seen that at Centrelink at the Redfern office a guy escorted out by the cops). When they tell you that all will be well as you'll get back paid for all this, but you're wondering how you're going to tell the real estate that you're going to be about 2 weeks late for you rent and how are you going to eat?. 

Oh to be a politician!  Where you can just jaunt around the world with your boyfriend at the drop of a political hat. Or give $444 million to your mates so they can kick it back under the radar. Where you can get 6 months free accommodation from a mate who kicks back money to you through donations to your party.....

And where you don't have to apply to Centrelink for any of it.

Julie Bishop with boyfriend at UN table