Proposed Welfare Benefit Changes
There has been much debate recently over the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the payment of welfare benefits. The most recent proposal is a voucher system to limit the ease with which certain parents can apply those benefits to gambling or to buying junk food, alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. Earlier in November, the Government flagged a change to the payment of the Baby Bonus so mothers under the age of 18 would receive the payment in instalments rather than as a lump sum. This is to stop expenditure on luxury items, electronic goods and other purchases deemed to be inappropriate. These changes aim to target those who, as a result of their perceived failures as parents, are disadvantaging their children.
A recent speech by the Archbishop of Sydney – Dr Peter Jensen - however, reminded me that it is not just the children of welfare recipients that deserve our concern. The Archbishop referred to an open letter to the British Government from a coalition of teachers and psychologists that noted the escalating incidence of childhood depression and behavioural problems. They linked these to ‘…the poisoning of childhood…’ by a sinister cocktail of junk food, marketing and electronic entertainment. Dr Jensen sees ‘…the spirit of the age…’ as one marked by rampant materialism and individualism, which is resulting in a loss of the basic arts of parenting and an increase in ‘…serious hope deficit and an equally serious love deficit...’ among children.
The prominent Australian sociologist, Hugh Mackay, described the late 1990’s as a time in which Australians were disengaging and were suffering ‘…an epidemic of anxiety…’. With a note of optimism, he suggests Australians are beginning to adopt two approaches to life in this age which offer some hope to us. One is a desire to define the meaning and purpose of our lives beyond mere materialism and to live simpler lives. A second is a yearning for a renewed sense of community; a growing realisation that the most precious resource for coping with life is not possessions or technology, but each other. So many Australians are engaging in more practical steps to recapture the sense of belonging and to feel part of their local neighbourhood.
In the broadest sense, these trends can only be positive for us all, but especially for our children.
Underpinning all Baptcare’s programs is our desire to create ‘caring communities for all’. This is what drives our family and children’s programs (foster-care, parent mentoring programs etc), our desire to create a sense of community in our residential aged care facilities, our community-connectedness initiatives for our community aged care clients, and our community ministry initiatives with local Baptist churches.
Further, we believe that it is Christian principles that give true meaning and purpose to living, that equip us to live by our values and to connect authentically with others. This is the framework that provides the most effective bulwark against depression, disengagement and anxiety, and which provides the greatest hope for our children.
The Christmas season has become characterised in Australian society by consumerism and materialism. Rather, I hope this Christmas season is one in which you, and all associated with Baptcare, experience a renewed sense of meaning and purpose for living, and a greater sense of connectedness with others.
Thank you
Jeff Davey
Chief Executive
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