https://advanceinstitute.com.au/2023/01/24/24-january-in-australian-history/?page_id=5632
23 January in Australian History
Centrelink needs to be broken up
Centrelink is a totally dysfunctional organisation, due in large part to the fact that it has become too big to be able to function efficiently or effectively. They administer all forms of benefit payments, and the call centre staff rarely know the answers to an enquiry when they are called. That is, if one can … Continue reading Centrelink needs to be broken up
22 January in Australian History
21 January in Australian History
20 January in Australian History
Life as a white man on an Aboriginal community
Back in the year 2000, I was honoured to be invited to live and work on the Aboriginal community of Woorabinda, 170 km south west of Rockhampton in Central Queensland. Woorabinda had a population of about 3000 then, and there were only 21 non-Indigenous people living on the community. I was employed by the local … Continue reading Life as a white man on an Aboriginal community
19 January in Australian History
Robodebt architect now has NDIS recipients in his sights
Jason Ryman, the architect of Centrelink's infamous Robodebt scheme, was seconded to the NDIA with the task of using a similar scheme to target recipients of NDIS funding. The NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) is the agency charged with overseeing the running of the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme). The secondment was made by former … Continue reading Robodebt architect now has NDIS recipients in his sights
Bring back the CES (Commonwealth Employment Service)
Job Services Australia, or Workforce Australia as it is now called, has failed to live up to the promises the Howard government made when they introduced it in 1998. Originally known as the Job Network, it has devolved into a giant money making venture by about 30 multinational organisations, and offers few tangible services to … Continue reading Bring back the CES (Commonwealth Employment Service)
18 January in Australian History
17 January in Australian History
Centrelink staff need to learn some manners
One thing that was consistent during the Robodebt Royal Commission was Centrelink's victims reporting that staff had been rude and aggressive. Sadly, this has not changed. Witnesses at the Royal Commission recounted that staff had yelled at them, mocked them, refused to listen to any defence and generally treated them with contempt. Witnesses recalled being … Continue reading Centrelink staff need to learn some manners
16 January in Australian History
Dominic Perrottet and the Nazi uniform: he doesn’t know what he did was wrong
Dominic Perrottet has failed to apologise to everybody that he offended by wearing a Nazi uniform, showing he doesn't really understand what he did was wrong and why. To be fair, a 21 year old probably wouldn't understand the significance of the Nazi uniform, and he shouldn't be judged on what he did as a … Continue reading Dominic Perrottet and the Nazi uniform: he doesn’t know what he did was wrong
15 January in Australian History
14 January in Australian History
13 January in Australian History
Why retrospective law can be applied to the NACC
With the passing of legislation for the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), it is worth reflecting on the history of retrospective law in Australia, and how the courts have found it to be legal. It is possible in Australia to break laws that have not yet been created, but there are instances where many would believe … Continue reading Why retrospective law can be applied to the NACC
12 January in Australian History
Churches are businesses and should pay tax
It is difficult to know how much revenue churches make in Australia each year, but some estimates put it at $40 billion dollars, all tax free. This means Australia is missing out on about $10 billion dollars a year in taxes. Not just corporate tax, but also income tax, GST, payroll tax, council rates, land … Continue reading Churches are businesses and should pay tax
11 January in Australian History
My first venture into social justice: Australians for Reconciliation
My first venture into social justice was an eye opener, and I spent six weeks in gaol for my efforts. After having worked in Goulburn Prison for three years, as a prison officer, I became concerned at the disproportionate number of Indigenous people in gaol compared to the mainstream population. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander … Continue reading My first venture into social justice: Australians for Reconciliation
10 January in Australian History
Corporate welfare cheats: the real bludgers in Australian society
While Australia's poor and marginalised are portrayed as "welfare cheats" by the LNP and right wing, the real welfare cheats are pocketing billions at the expense of the Australian taxpayer. These are the large corporations, particularly their CEOs and executives, who receive handouts from the government that they don't really need and are not really … Continue reading Corporate welfare cheats: the real bludgers in Australian society
Craig Hill 