Thread by @lukehgomes

Here is a thread detailing the evidence #Newstart recipients are giving to the Senate inquiry in Elizabeth, South Australia today #auspol

Tracey, who is over 50, lives in public housing and has casual work. She considers herself lucky. That gives her about $100 a week extra, but life is still "no picnic". #auspol

Tracey says last week her computer had a hissy fit, she couldn't access files. She needs a new computer for a $1000. Reckons it would save two years to save up. #auspol

Tracey says it is not just the impact on job search but also the "embarrassment". #auspol

Kym talks about the people on #newstart with a disability. She says people can't afford medicine or to see the specialists they need #auspol

Kym says it is also hard for people to afford the specialist reports they need to apply successfully for the DSP #auspol

Aidan talks about being on work for the dole which he says was a waste of time. He lives in a cheap, shared unit, keeps his expenses low, he tries to put money away to save for a Stat $350 test to get into uni. He eats two meals a day. #auspol

Rita, 54, says she lost her job on March 22 for being a whistleblower. She had no income for two months while applying for Newstart. Only got her claimed accepted thanks to the intervention of her MP #auspol

Rita had to leave her home she's lived since 2013 because she couldn't afford the rent. "I'm only ever one day away from homelessness. After paying my rent or bills, there's not much left over. I don't eat everyday." #auspol #Newstart

<<< Content warning >>>

Rita says she rations her insulin, has gone without sanitary products. "Every day I cry, and everyday I think about suicide." #auspol #Newstart

Rita hits out at politicians for rhetoric labelling people on #Newstart "welfare cheats" or drug and alcohol addicts. "That's not who I am." #auspol

Rita says the government has thrown people like her into a deep dark hole with a rope, told them to climb out, and then yanked the rope away. #auspol #Newstart

Tracey also talks about rationing her medication. #auspol #Newstart

Rita says: "There's no food in my house and that's not just my reality. I don't understand how our government is not understanding this .. I'd like to see one of them come over here and live on Newstart." #auspol #Newstart

Kym is a full-time carer for her daughter. It took three years to get her daughter, who has multiple disabilities, on the DSP #auspol #Newstart

Tracey used to see a psychiatrist who bulk bills. Rachel Siewert says that is rare. Tracey says he's retired now and so he's without that. #auspol #Newstart

Tracey suggests politicians got a pay rise recently, she saw something about it on Facebook. Lib Hollie Hughes says that's incorrect. "Probably don't believe everything you read on Facebook." Tracey says: "I don't believe everything politicians say either." #Newstart #auspol

Catherine (not sure if this is correct spelling). She was on parenting payment, which was enough to survive. Then she went onto Newstart, her son was on youth allowance. She's has experiences with DV. #auspol #Newstart

Catherine, 62, says she's got Buckley's chance of getting a job. "I just feel really annoyed that people have to live on that amount of money. It has affected my mental health." #auspol #Newstart

Heather says she is a sex worker and a proud trans woman. She resigned from work when she transitioned and got onto the dole. #auspol #Newstart

Heather got a full time job, but then lost her house with a mortgage when she lost that position later. #auspol #Newstart

Wendy has worked for 40 years, but is now struggling to find work and keep a roof over her head on Newstart. She spent six months sleeping in her car in 2013. #auspol #Newstart

Another content warning:

Wendy hasn't taken the anti-depressants she needs for about a year because she can't afford them. In the past year, she has attempted suicide more than once #auspol #newstart

Content warning:

Ben says he was going to "sugar coat this" but realised after talking to his mum it wouldn't change anything. He's 29, has been unemployed on and off since he was 19. He has attempted suicide three times, hospitalised twice #auspol #Newstart

Ben lists a range of mental health conditions, including bipolar. He has PTSD from working in. security, but says job agencies are still trying to push him into that work. #auspol #Newstart

CW:

Ben says he's been treated with every medication imaginable. After his last suicide attempt, his doctor suggested electroconvulsive therapy, which he agreed to and has had 12 sessions with more needed. “Because of this I now have the memory of Dory from Finding Nemo.”

Ben says has been knocked back for the DSP, has been told he's "not sick enough". He's had over 24 job capacity assessments. Centrelink says he doesn't have enough proof to get onto the DSP. #auspol #Newstart

This is relevant to the stories in this thread

https://twitter.com/lukehgomes/status/1189352434130440193

#auspol #Newstart

One of the #Newstart recipients notes that the Newstart budget is about $10bn a year. They say total funding private schools is more than that. It is about 12.7bn a year, according to this old ABC story from 2017 abc.net.au/news/2017-05-3… #auspol