Hot Topic: Are you better off on the dole?

Are people better off on the dole, our readers respond.

A recent opinion piece by Dom Robertson suggested that people may be better off on the dole, our readers respond.

Neil

Sorry, you won't be better off on the dole. Being unemployed and on the dole is corrosive.

Being gainfully employed - earning a living - is about more than just money. It's about respecting yourself and others, and making a contribution to society.

Getting up in the morning, going off to work, taking responsibility for yourself and your family are all important for each and every one of us.

So let's not fool ourselves about the dole.

Think long term

You forgot that if you wanted to study (and get a better job) then you get . In fact you'll probably need to borrow to live and borrow to pay for that (free?) education.

I don't have kids but it's a no-brainer to be paying for the next generation to be higher educated.

Pay for people into the right type of degrees (limit numbers for certain courses, mind [BAs]).

Who would you like to be supported by in your elderly age?

A. Job-seeking beneficiaries and a relatively uneducated work force.

B. Tertiary qualified persons (producers and doctors, etc).

Glen McMillan

I agree with Don but I also agree with Neil. Don is right, to take that job is a backward step in that they end up with less money, the Government and Work and Income need to take account of the person's income over 12 months and adjust accordingly.

I employ people on a casual bases - they may only get six weeks work over a 12-month period but they get just one week where they earn above the benefit and Work and Income starts to cut their benefit, not taking into account they only have six weeks' work.

Neil is right. Being on the dole is corrosive.