As the country faces economic hardship, it’s becoming common to see some families having trouble with stretching their budget and making ends meet.

And while people don’t have an issue when it comes to seeing someone rightly receiving Centrelink payments, taxpayers were left outraged by a couple on welfare who appeared on ABC’s 7.30 program last Monday night.

If you tuned in to that story, you might remember Jennifer Searson and Mark Goodrick. The couple, together with their teenage daughter, currently live in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and rely on Centrelink payments to get by.

According to the report, Mr Goodrick receives a salary from his casual job at the local servo and earns about $1,300 a fortnight. At the same time, Ms Searson is a lab technician who holds certifications in education support and business administration. She also receives a carer’s payment of $971.50 every two weeks for their daughter, who has autism.

The couple faced intense backlash after their segment aired. Credit: Centrelink Australia

‘I don't actually have the energy to say, ''Hey, I'm off to work for 60 hours a week'', so we had to make a decision, but that's not supported. You’re seen as someone who's bludging or taking advantage of the system,’ Mr Goodrick said in the program.

Viewers of the program noticed that the couple spends $350 per week on groceries, with neither Mr Goodrick nor Ms Searson planning to work full-time to pay for their essentials. This sparked outrage among social media users, who said that the family are not in ‘genuine need’.

You can read more details about the couple’s story here.

And now 2GB’s morning show host Ray Hadley recently took aim at the couple, saying that it was ‘unfair’ they live off welfare payments despite having two cars and sending their daughter to a private school.

The radio broadcaster also demanded that taxpayers should get their money back.

‘Here they are claiming they live in poverty,' Mr Hadley said during his radio program.

The family lives in a modern home. Credit: ABC/Twitter

Mr Hadley continued: ‘There'd be plenty of people listening to this program who do live in poverty, who would be living in their cars, not using two cars to drop their daughter to school then going home and sitting all day.’

The broadcaster also found it ‘offensive’ that the couple were complaining about spending $350 per week on groceries when families with more children have to spend less.

‘You don't have the energy to work 60 hours a week, so instead, we pay for it. We pay for your laziness,’ he criticised.

The radio host didn’t hold back and demanded some of his taxes back.

‘If I'm supporting those people and you're out there working your rings off, we need a reduction. We need our money back,’ he explained before adding that he does not want to help ‘that couple’.

Mr Hadley also did an interview with Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor on Wednesday morning, where he claimed he looked at one job site and found more than 230 jobs looking for cooks and chefs on the Sunshine Coast.

Neither Mr Goodrick nor Ms Searson has worked full-time since moving to Queensland. According to them, they moved so they could live a more ‘affordable life’.

The couple claimed that they were ‘hardworking’, but due to their age, many businesses are unwilling to give them a job.

Ms Searson shared that she applied to work part-time at BIG W three times this year but kept getting rejected.

But Mr Hadley suggested that she go down to the store herself and ask to speak to the manager about her desire to work.

This comes after the government announced an increase in Centrelink payments as part of the federal budget. According to reports, the base rate of JobSeeker and Youth Allowance will rise by $40 a fortnight from September.

Treasure Chalmers said: ‘We understand that there will be people who are saying $40 a fortnight is not enough, there will be some who will be saying it is too much. We think we've struck the right balance between what we can afford and taking into consideration the economic pressures in the economy.'

The eligibility for a higher rate of JobSeeker will also be lowered from 60 to 55, following a rise in the number of older people on the payment. It is understood that around 52,000 Australians aged between 55 to 59 will receive an extra $92.10 every fortnight.

Almost $5 billion will be spent over the next five years to support more than 1.1 million people on income support.

Key Takeaways

• A Queensland family who receives welfare payments and casual income appeared on ABC's news program, sharing their thoughts on Centrelink and calling for increased income support. This sparked criticism due to their lifestyle, which includes two cars and private schooling for their daughter.
• Radio host Ray Hadley criticised the couple for relying on taxpayer money while refusing to work full-time and questioned if they're representative of the majority of people on JobSeeker.
• The budget announced various Centrelink payment increases, including a $40 fortnightly increase in JobSeeker and Youth Allowance starting in September.
• Public reactions to the ABC program were mixed, with some people questioning the couple's portrayal of struggling Australians and others expressing concern for those genuinely in need.

Share your experiences and your thoughts on Mark and Jennifer’s situation in the comments below!

 

[Le-Prairre]

IQUOTE="Le-Prairre, post: 199970, member: 61298"]
Darling, you have NO IDEA what you are talking about !!
UOT
I think I did admit that I know nothing of your situation, but I have been dealing with Centrelink for the last 45 years so I do have a pretty good idea what I'm talking about
My daughter isn't autistic but has an intellectual disability, along with many other compounded conditions, developed schizophrenia at age 16, oral cancer at 30, recurred again 11 years later and again 18 months later.She's never drank alcohol or smoked in her life. She has lost her entire tongue, cannot talk properly and has all her food like baby mush, so don't tell me I don't know what I'm talking about

Darling, both you and me have had enough to say on this subject.

 

[chinkapook]

SCUMBAGS

 

[mylittletibbies]

Darling, both you and me have had enough to say on this subject.

Agreed, we'll agree to disagree

 

[Alikat1208]

As the country faces economic hardship, it’s becoming common to see some families having trouble with stretching their budget and making ends meet.

And while people don’t have an issue when it comes to seeing someone rightly receiving Centrelink payments, taxpayers were left outraged by a couple on welfare who appeared on ABC’s 7.30 program last Monday night.

If you tuned in to that story, you might remember Jennifer Searson and Mark Goodrick. The couple, together with their teenage daughter, currently live in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and rely on Centrelink payments to get by.

According to the report, Mr Goodrick receives a salary from his casual job at the local servo and earns about $1,300 a fortnight. At the same time, Ms Searson is a lab technician who holds certifications in education support and business administration. She also receives a carer’s payment of $971.50 every two weeks for their daughter, who has autism.

View attachment 19579

The couple faced intense backlash after their segment aired. Credit: Centrelink Australia

‘I don't actually have the energy to say, ''Hey, I'm off to work for 60 hours a week'', so we had to make a decision, but that's not supported. You’re seen as someone who's bludging or taking advantage of the system,’ Mr Goodrick said in the program.

Viewers of the program noticed that the couple spends $350 per week on groceries, with neither Mr Goodrick nor Ms Searson planning to work full-time to pay for their essentials. This sparked outrage among social media users, who said that the family are not in ‘genuine need’.

You can read more details about the couple’s story here.

And now 2GB’s morning show host Ray Hadley recently took aim at the couple, saying that it was ‘unfair’ they live off welfare payments despite having two cars and sending their daughter to a private school.

The radio broadcaster also demanded that taxpayers should get their money back.

‘Here they are claiming they live in poverty,' Mr Hadley said during his radio program.

View attachment 19580

The family lives in a modern home. Credit: ABC/Twitter

Mr Hadley continued: ‘There'd be plenty of people listening to this program who do live in poverty, who would be living in their cars, not using two cars to drop their daughter to school then going home and sitting all day.’

The broadcaster also found it ‘offensive’ that the couple were complaining about spending $350 per week on groceries when families with more children have to spend less.

‘You don't have the energy to work 60 hours a week, so instead, we pay for it. We pay for your laziness,’ he criticised.

The radio host didn’t hold back and demanded some of his taxes back.

‘If I'm supporting those people and you're out there working your rings off, we need a reduction. We need our money back,’ he explained before adding that he does not want to help ‘that couple’.

Mr Hadley also did an interview with Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor on Wednesday morning, where he claimed he looked at one job site and found more than 230 jobs looking for cooks and chefs on the Sunshine Coast.

Neither Mr Goodrick nor Ms Searson has worked full-time since moving to Queensland. According to them, they moved so they could live a more ‘affordable life’.

The couple claimed that they were ‘hardworking’, but due to their age, many businesses are unwilling to give them a job.

Ms Searson shared that she applied to work part-time at BIG W three times this year but kept getting rejected.

But Mr Hadley suggested that she go down to the store herself and ask to speak to the manager about her desire to work.

This comes after the government announced an increase in Centrelink payments as part of the federal budget. According to reports, the base rate of JobSeeker and Youth Allowance will rise by $40 a fortnight from September.

Treasure Chalmers said: ‘We understand that there will be people who are saying $40 a fortnight is not enough, there will be some who will be saying it is too much. We think we've struck the right balance between what we can afford and taking into consideration the economic pressures in the economy.'

The eligibility for a higher rate of JobSeeker will also be lowered from 60 to 55, following a rise in the number of older people on the payment. It is understood that around 52,000 Australians aged between 55 to 59 will receive an extra $92.10 every fortnight.

Almost $5 billion will be spent over the next five years to support more than 1.1 million people on income support.

Key Takeaways

• A Queensland family who receives welfare payments and casual income appeared on ABC's news program, sharing their thoughts on Centrelink and calling for increased income support. This sparked criticism due to their lifestyle, which includes two cars and private schooling for their daughter.
• Radio host Ray Hadley criticised the couple for relying on taxpayer money while refusing to work full-time and questioned if they're representative of the majority of people on JobSeeker.
• The budget announced various Centrelink payment increases, including a $40 fortnightly increase in JobSeeker and Youth Allowance starting in September.
• Public reactions to the ABC program were mixed, with some people questioning the couple's portrayal of struggling Australians and others expressing concern for those genuinely in need.

Share your experiences and your thoughts on Mark

I'm so glad most commenters feel like I do. We have no idea how their daughter's disability affect her and them. Not private schools are expensive and it might have been the best one to meet her needs. There is a chance they own the house outright and their cars as well. Applying for and being carer payment is not easy these days, so they must have met the criteria. No one can tell from a 5 or 10 minute segment where the information is cherry picked of the full situation.

and Jennifer’s situation in the comments below!

 

[mylittletibbies]

I'm so glad most commenters feel like I do. We have no idea how their daughter's disability affect her and them. Not private schools are expensive and it might have been the best one to meet her needs. There is a chance they own the house outright and their cars as well. Applying for and being carer payment is not easy these days, so they must have met the criteria. No one can tell from a 5 or 10 minute segment where the information is cherry picked of the full situation.

.
It is good to hear somebody else with an unbiased view on this situation.
It certainly isn't easy to get the carer payment. Even many years ago it was not, despite my daughter's
many difficulties my application was originally rejected. Her specialist and our gp told me to appeal the decision and they both appeared on her behalf and that was what it took and many months for it to be passed. Many people are rejected, you definitely need to have specialists to back your application, usually just your general practitioner is not good enough. Most people do not realise this, not as simple as getting the dole.

 

[Joydie]

This is what I was trying to point out the other day. No one has any idea what it is like living with an autistic child unless they have experienced it.
Even high functioning autistic children/adults, who may appear quite "normal' to the uneducated, can be extremely challenging.
My friend has a daughter like this, they get hardly any sleep as she keeps getting up in the night and taking off, the result of stopping her brings on screaming fits that go on for hours, both she and her husband take turns, night about, to keep an eye on her. How exhausting do you think that would be. You wouldn't feel like working 60 hours. My friend then tries to sleep during the day when the daughter is at a special needs school.
However they need to be on call in case she has these screaming fits at school, anything, anytime will set her off.
If you were to meet her in the street you would think there was nothing wrong with her.
I would like to ask SDC why do you keep stating that these people are cheating Centrelink. She has QUALIFIED for the Carer Payment,.as did I many long years ago, and this is not an easy payment to get. How does that make her,or me or anyone else getting this payment a welfare cheat. I think you owe her an apology
The husband works part time, probably to give his wife some relief, at least he does work.
As said, how does he get to work if they only have one car and also get daughter to appointments, etc and be on call with only one car. How many families, where one or both work only have one car.
Yesterday it said that it 'appeared"that she went to a private school. How does anyone know if this is a special needs school. Not all public schools have education support units.
As I also said yesterday, in the past, when I did attempt to work there were people criticising me for this and branding me a bad mother for not looking after my own disabled daughter. One lady even said I went to work because I was ashamed of my daughter. I actually went to work because my husband was a lazy no hoping alcoholic bludger..
In the end I left him, got the Carer Payment and stayed home and looked after my daughter.
I guess that then made me a dole bludger. No pleasing some people.
I have finished my rant.

You were very lucky to get a job in your late to mid 40s, many people are not so lucky. There is a lot of ageism in the workforce.
If you had been a receptionist, for example, many places want a dolly bird sitting at their front desk. Doesn't matter if she's an airhead, as long as she looks good .
Many places do not look past your age on your resume, you can't even get an interview and this is a well known reported on fact.

Actually, there was very little luck involved. I wasn’t prepared to give up work just because a life changing accident meant I could no longer do the job I loved passionately and had been doing for over 20 years.

I thought about what job I could do and came up with medical secretary. I couldn’t type and had never worked in an office. So I did what I needed to do and went to TAFE for two years, doing every course I needed to to get me the job I wanted. I finished my courses with a lot of knowledge about office administration and a typing speed of 65 words a minute. Over those two years, I practised typing every single day for an hour.

I applied for a job as secretary for an Orthodontist who catered to well known wine growers, among others. It was the first job I applied for and I was hired. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I did secretarial work, and on Tuesday and Thursday when the doctor saw patients, I was the receptionist. As I said, I was 47.

You seem slightly hostile that I was able to change careers at 47, saying I was ‘lucky’. There was, as I said, very little luck involved. It was a lot of hard work and determination. And just for the record, you don’t have to put your age on a resume and interviewers aren’t allowed to ask.

 

[mylittletibbies]

I

Actually, there was very little luck involved. I wasn’t prepared to give up work just because a life changing accident meant I could no longer do the job I loved passionately and had been doing for over 20 years.

I thought about what job I could do and came up with medical secretary. I couldn’t type and had never worked in an office. So I did what I needed to do and went to TAFE for two years, doing every course I needed to to get me the job I wanted. I finished my courses with a lot of knowledge about office administration and a typing speed of 65 words a minute. Over those two years, I practised typing every single day for an hour.

I applied for a job as secretary for an Orthodontist who catered to well known wine growers, among others. It was the first job I applied for and I was hired. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I did secretarial work, and on Tuesday and Thursday when the doctor saw patients, I was the receptionist. As I said, I was 47.

You seem slightly hostile that I was able to change careers at 47, saying I was ‘lucky’. There was, as I said, very little luck involved. It was a lot of hard work and determination. And just for the record, you don’t have to put your age on a resume and interviewers aren’t allowed to ask.
[UOTEx

Actually, there was very little luck involved. I wasn’t prepared to give up work just because a life changing accident meant I could no longer do the job I loved passionately and had been doing for over 20 years.

I thought about what job I could do and came up with medical secretary. I couldn’t type and had never worked in an office. So I did what I needed to do and went to TAFE for two years, doing every course I needed to to get me the job I wanted. I finished my courses with a lot of knowledge about office administration and a typing speed of 65 words a minute. Over those two years, I practised typing every single day for an hour.

I applied for a job as secretary for an Orthodontist who catered to well known wine growers, among others. It was the first job I applied for and I was hired. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I did secretarial work, and on Tuesday and Thursday when the doctor saw patients, I was the receptionist. As I said, I was 47.

You seem slightly hostile that I was able to change careers at 47, saying I was ‘lucky’. There was, as I said, very little luck involved. It was a lot of hard work and determination. And just for the record, you don’t have to put your age on a resume and interviewers aren’t allowed to ask.

I am very sorry Joydi I came a

Actually, there was very little luck involved. I wasn’t prepared to give up work just because a life changing accident meant I could no longer do the job I loved passionately and had been doing for over 20 years.

I thought about what job I could do and came up with medical secretary. I couldn’t type and had never worked in an office. So I did what I needed to do and went to TAFE for two years, doing every course I needed to to get me the job I wanted. I finished my courses with a lot of knowledge about office administration and a typing speed of 65 words a minute. Over those two years, I practised typing every single day for an hour.

I applied for a job as secretary for an Orthodontist who catered to well known wine growers, among others. It was the first job I applied for and I was hired. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I did secretarial work, and on Tuesday and Thursday when the doctor saw patients, I was the receptionist. As I said, I was 47.

You seem slightly hostile that I was able to change careers at 47, saying I was ‘lucky’. There was, as I said, very little luck involved. It was a lot of hard work and determination. And just for the record, you don’t have to put your age on a resume and interviewers aren’t allowed to ask.

I am very sorry Joydie if I came across as hostile to you, that certainly wasn't my intention, so I do apologise.
I certainly commend you on your efforts and you certainly deserved the job you got, I guess "lucky' wasn't the right word, but so many people don't get past first base and not through lack of trying.
I guess I get frustrated with people who have never had a child with a disability making negative comments about something they really know nothing about and so many people have been doing this..Unfortunately, I didn't have the same experience as you when trying to reenter the workforce in my 40s, despite having been executive assistant to the human resources manager of a large mining company prior to having to cease work to look after my disabled daughter. I just kept getting told I was over qualified for normal secretarial work and would get bored, etc. I ended up starting up my own business in a small way, which eventually went Australia wide. I eventually ended up very "lucky" as an old family friend moved in with me to help with my daughter,she lived with me until she passed away some years ago now I'm obviously retired now and my daughter still lives with me.
Once again my apologies if I made you think I was personally attacking you.

 

[Joydie]

I

Thank you for your reply. I’m sorry you couldn’t get a job, because I do understand how soul destroying it can be to apply and be knocked back. It’s great that you started up a business. It just goes to show what we can do if we have to. It’s so rewarding to be able to look back and know we achieved something.

I’ll also admit that I don’t know if I could cope with an autistic child. You have to be a special person to do that, and in my youth, my patience wasn’t what it is now. I’ve had my own struggles with personal disability for almost 38 years now, but that’s life.

All the best with your daughter moving forward.

 

[mylittletibbies]

Thank you for your reply. I’m sorry you couldn’t get a job, because I do understand how soul destroying it can be to apply and be knocked back. It’s great that you started up a business. It just goes to show what we can do if we have to. It’s so rewarding to be able to look back and know we achieved something.

I’ll also admit that I don’t know if I could cope with an autistic child. You have to be a special person to do that, and in my youth, my patience wasn’t what it is now. I’ve had my own struggles with personal disability for almost 38 years now, but that’s life.

All the best with your daughter moving forward.

Thank you

 

[Jen77au]

Firstly has anyone including Mr Hadley looked after a child with autism?

My daughter's 3 year old has autism and her time is spent looking after her and her 18 month old.
My daughter spends so much time and money on speech therapy and other specialist trying to help with toilet training and even chewing properly !!

It would be impossible for my daughter to go to work. Hubby earns $1100 a week before tax.
They receive $80 a fortnight carer's allowance.

She has 3 kid's 15 year old, 3 year old and 18 month old
She budgets her shopping each week $200 a shop.
They have a mortgage
2 cars , one run around for hubby to get to work and the other for her to take her daughter to specialist which is every Monday and Wednesday.

She wouldn't send her daughter to a private school .

I think for this couple they have to be getting money from somewhere else as the cheapest private school is at least $5000 ayear and uniforms are at least another $500 to $1000 a year.

My son's son is severely autistic, he is 15 , can't talk, still wears nappies and can't be left alone for any ammount of time.

Giving you hugs and strength

 

[StarTrekker]

Firstly has anyone including Mr Hadley looked after a child with autism?

My daughter's 3 year old has autism and her time is spent looking after her and her 18 month old.
My daughter spends so much time and money on speech therapy and other specialist trying to help with toilet training and even chewing properly !!

It would be impossible for my daughter to go to work. Hubby earns $1100 a week before tax.
They receive $80 a fortnight carer's allowance.

She has 3 kid's 15 year old, 3 year old and 18 month old
She budgets her shopping each week $200 a shop.
They have a mortgage
2 cars , one run around for hubby to get to work and the other for her to take her daughter to specialist which is every Monday and Wednesday.

She wouldn't send her daughter to a private school .

I think for this couple they have to be getting money from somewhere else as the cheapest private school is at least $5000 ayear and uniforms are at least another $500 to $1000 a year.

My son's son is severely autistic, he is 15 , can't talk, still wears nappies and can't be left alone for any ammount of time.

I have a son with Autism and I know how hard it is to cope with him when he was small. It was like having a set of twins in my home.
I am on a Carer Payment and two lots of Carer Allowance for my Husband who has heart problems, son who has Autism and a daughter with a genetic syndrome.
Now my health is starting to decline and doing things are getting harder but I will not put my children or husband into care. I married for better or worse, in sickness and in health.
We cope with DSPs and Carers but if anything else goes up, I will be cutting back.

 

[Joydie]

Firstly, I think people like you are the real heroes in the community. You need to be on call 24 hours a day.

Let me just say this: you NEED time for you. If you become worn out or sick, you won't be able to care for your family. If that were to happen, you'd be worrying yourself thinking about what you 'should' be doing. That would just compound the problem.

All the best with your family, and I'm happy to know that you're able to manage financially.

 

[Milica]

Ray Hadley!!! a conservative political mouthpiece, I did not see the report in question on 7.30 however having read your summery I have questions, how old are they? how well are they? did they own and pay for the house and cars BEFORE having to go on payments?
It seams that the only support they are getting for their daughter is the carer payment, what level of Autism does the daughter have? does the local public school have the facilities, teachers and funds to support her? (is this why she is at a private school?) is she eligible for a larger more expensive support on the NDIS (if so she should get it) and Ray can pay for it with his taxes.
If Ray Hadley was a reporter as he often claims to be then these should have been some of the questions HE should have asked before carrying out his character assignation of these people.
My wife and I have "lived" of Jobseeker payments for 3 years I have worked where I can, we are not well and our age is a barrier I am now on a pension and my wife will be on jobseeker for another 2 years. We have worked hard in the past and own everything we have, we have been Foster Carers for 30 years caring for children in need many successfully some not so much, so by Ray Hadley's metric are we now classed as scumbag dole bludgers because we accept some small payment from the government?

And no you are not dole bludgers, but people with 30 yrs worth of vast experience as Foster Carers that the Gov't could actually learn from if they asked questions & then listened! to what was needed in your area of expertise, for the care of children, our next generation!

 

[Milica]

They are definitely getting more than they are entitled to probably something illegal

And if that was the case - they have just handed themselves in by going public!

 

[Suzanne rose]

I have a son with Autism and I know how hard it is to cope with him when he was small. It was like having a set of twins in my home.
I am on a Carer Payment and two lots of Carer Allowance for my Husband who has heart problems, son who has Autism and a daughter with a genetic syndrome.
Now my health is starting to decline and doing things are getting harder but I will not put my children or husband into care. I married for better or worse, in sickness and in health.
We cope with DSPs and Carers but if anything else goes up, I will be cutting back.

You are an amazing lady and your family are lucky to have you. Can I ask what state you are in ?

 

[StarTrekker]

You are an amazing lady and your family are lucky to have you. Can I ask what state you are in ?

I'm in Victoria

 

[Mr Chips]

A thought came to me. One of the statements seen more and more is from younger people who proclaim "We are the taxpayers, we work and pay taxes to support welfare recipients". That is very true but have they considered that many of us also have done this for many years before either forced or voluntary retirement became our lifestyle? I also saw a mention from someone that there are less and less of young workers because of the rise in technology. A recent newsworthy item has been the effects of AI (Artificial Intelligence). My thought was why not charge AI the same taxes as the normal working human? That might help the county's income.

 

[Milica]

A thought came to me. One of the statements seen more and more is from younger people who proclaim "We are the taxpayers, we work and pay taxes to support welfare recipients". That is very true but have they considered that many of us also have done this for many years before either forced or voluntary retirement became our lifestyle? I also saw a mention from someone that there are less and less of young workers because of the rise in technology. A recent newsworthy item has been the effects of AI (Artificial Intelligence). My thought was why not charge AI the same taxes as the normal working human? That might help the county's income.

What a great idea! But will they get it!

 

[Milica]

I have a son with Autism and I know how hard it is to cope with him when he was small. It was like having a set of twins in my home.
I am on a Carer Payment and two lots of Carer Allowance for my Husband who has heart problems, son who has Autism and a daughter with a genetic syndrome.
Now my health is starting to decline and doing things are getting harder but I will not put my children or husband into care. I married for better or worse, in sickness and in health.
We cope with DSPs and Carers but if anything else goes up, I will be cutting back.

I do hear what you are saying - and some of us think we are doing it hard, what a very lucky family to have you as there mother/wife - plse do not forget to use the carers service in your state - to help carers of families - i am not sure if there is a cost? - i really hope not!

 

[Mr Chips]

What a great idea! But will they get it!

Unfortunately, I doubt it.