https://advanceinstitute.com.au/2023/02/15/15-february-in-australian-history/?page_id=6029
Month: February 2023
Centrelink’s phone system is not working
"Your call is important to us. Please stay on the line until your call is no longer important to you." Anybody who has ever tried to use Centrelink's automated phone system will tell you it doesn't work. Only Centrelink seem to think it does, and they're doing nothing to fix it The current system automatically … Continue reading Centrelink’s phone system is not working
14 February in Australian History
Managing an Aboriginal Corporation in Tingha
In 2002, I moved out of Queensland to manage the Mrangalli Aboriginal Corporation in Tingha, NSW. This proved quite rewarding, but it wasn't without it's problems. Sadly, the corporation no longer exists, for reasons we will discuss later. Before non indigenous settlement the area now known as Tingha was mainly inhabited by people from the … Continue reading Managing an Aboriginal Corporation in Tingha
13 February in Australian History
Was the Morrison government fascist?
Allegations of fascism are thrown around frequently to describe the far right, and often the term is misused to incite an emotional response against political ideologies that opponents don't agree with. However, in the case of the Morrison government, the use of the word may have had some merit. Wikipedia describes Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology. … Continue reading Was the Morrison government fascist?
12 February in Australian History
The rise and fall of Lidia Thorpe
There can be no doubt that Lidia Thorpe has achieved a lot in her time, but like many before and still to come, she has shown a political naivety since coming to federal politics. Although she made significant achievements prior to entering federal politics, which we will acknowledge, she has been an absolute nightmare for … Continue reading The rise and fall of Lidia Thorpe
11 February in Australian History
10 February in Australian History
Alan Tudge sees himself as the victim after Robodebt
There can be little doubt, given the timing, that Alan Tudge has resigned from parliament because of the stress of the Robodebt Royal Commission. While he cites the death of his father and death threats against his teenage daughters, sometimes what is not said speaks volumes about the character of a person. In his resignation … Continue reading Alan Tudge sees himself as the victim after Robodebt
9 February in Australian History
I won my 11 month fight with the NDIS
Yesterday I won my 11 month battle with the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme). It was only a small win, but highlights the lack of empathy and bloody-mindedness of those charged with administering the scheme. This was an incredible waste of government time and money, when one considers that the cost that NDIS was trying … Continue reading I won my 11 month fight with the NDIS
8 February in Australian History
Result of my first hearing at the AAT against Centrelink
Yesterday I had my first hearing at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), and it went exactly as expected. The AAT rejected the law and affirmed Centrelink's decision. This was in relation to a periodic lottery win that I received in October 2022, $5,000 a month for 12 months. If the win had been a $60,000 … Continue reading Result of my first hearing at the AAT against Centrelink
7 February in Australian History
Teaching Aboriginal street kids in Rockhampton
Another learning experience I had was in 2001, teaching Aboriginal street kids in Rockhampton. I came to learn the problems these kids faced, and their genuine desire to overcome these problems. This was shortly after I had left Woorabinda Aboriginal Community, where I was running the TAFE at the local high school, and at the … Continue reading Teaching Aboriginal street kids in Rockhampton
6 February in Australian History
There’s no town like Alice – or is there?
There can be no doubt that the problems in Alice Springs are extreme, to say the least, but similar problems exist on Indigenous, remote and rural communities right throughout Australia. Nor is the problem confined to Indigenous people. It is happening right across the community. Alice Springs has come to the forefront in recent times … Continue reading There’s no town like Alice – or is there?
5 February in Australian History
4 February in Australian History
The proposed changes to Medicare: are they enough?
The Australian Government has recently announced proposed changes to the country’s Medicare system. The proposed changes aim to create a more efficient and equitable system for the delivery and funding of Australia’s health care services. Let's take a closer look at these proposed changes. The proposed changes to Medicare are intended to make the system … Continue reading The proposed changes to Medicare: are they enough?
3 February in Australian History
Poverty in Australia
Poverty in Australia is a growing concern as it affects more and more people every year. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 3.2 million Australians, or approximately 13.5%, are living in poverty, meaning that they live on less than 50% of the median income. This means that more than one in eight Australians … Continue reading Poverty in Australia
Craig Hill 