He's also repeatedly described himself as a 'uniter, not a divider', yet George W Bush inherits a nation profoundly divided. The Federal Government has unveiled a shake-up of Australia's welfare system, expanding the principle of mutual obligation to all unemployed people. Those under 40 will now either have to do work for the dole or education training or voluntary work. Sole parents will also be subject to mutual obligation. People on disability pensions will find the eligibility criteria have been tightened.
Many support groups say the sting in the package is in the lack of detail.
The Minister, Jocelyn Newman, believes too many people are on disability support pensions and says changes will be made to make assessments more robust and independent. To achieve that she says independent government medical experts will now have a say on a person's eligibility. But disability groups fear that that will force more recipients onto other pensions where the principle of mutual obligation will apply. Sole parents will also be affected by the new policy. Depending on the age of the youngest child, those receiving the parent payment will have to find part time work, voluntary work or study in line with the policy of mutual obligation.