Commenting on the story: A party divided: Libs in turmoil as factions declare war

Bedford has experience and is well known to the public. Who is Teague? – David Donaldson

Commenting on the story: Australia extends international travel ban

Am stuck overseas in Greece wanting to return to Victoria. Have no idea or instructions how to get me home anytime soon. I’m bleeding dollars and cannot afford business class or realistically a $3000 quarantine bill on return. Bumped twice from two airlines. Reading daily online media news updates is the only info I am receiving. 

Are the federal and State governments aware of Australian citizens in my predicament? And is it really necessary to have us wait outside our country and home without clear guidance?

Seems so obvious to me that our return could be safely, logistically arranged. I’ve got a home I could easily hang out for 14 days if hotel quarantine management is an issue.

And just a burning simple suggestion. Couldn’t we all simply be tested on arrival and sent home after a couple of days negative result? – Stuart Jordan

What is the government doing for Australians stuck overseas?

My husband and I are stuck in Pakistan since March. We are not earning since then. We have spent all our savings. We hardly have money for the air tickets that we need to travel back.

How do we travel back? There’s a travel ban! We are told to pay money for quarantine. We have not been receiving any help from the government or Centrelink because we’re not in Australia. – Mubashra Rizwan

I’m currently stuck overseas due to the coronavirus and I’m struggling financially.

I have no more income and have almost exausted my small amount of money. The government said it is unable to assist me as I’m currently not in Australia. I’m an Australian citizen and I have paid taxes all my life but entitled to no assistance from the Australian government.

It’s a disgrace really, considering they have been giving so much assistance to everyone in the country. I have no idea how or when I’m going to be allowed to come back to Australia. I’ve been stuck overseas for months. Apparently the government is offering a one-off loan to citizens stranded overseas, the loan has to be paid back?

Who wants to be indebted to the government, it’s very unfair considering the amount of relief everyone has been receiving due to the coronavirus and no one in Australia has to pay back the relief money that has been given. It makes you feel like you’re not an Australian citizen and taxpayer and not everyone can afford this option.

Like the quarantine arrangements now; at first the government footed the bill for citizens and now when you return to Australia you have to pay for the quarantine yourself. Who’s got the money to do that, when you haven’t even got enough money to feed yourself whilst stranded overseas?

No one asked to be stranded overseas and everyone’s situation is different, no one ever knew how bad this COVID-19 was going to get, so much for being an Australian citizen. – Garry Erickson

Commenting on the story: Poverty, mental health and Centrelink

If JobSeeker payments are reduced, our next pandemic will be homelessness and hungry people. Rent is unaffordable, there’s no cheap government housing, my name’s been on the public housing list for 29 years and still nothing, very depressing. 

With the rise in JobSeeker it’s been wonderful being able to afford to buy food for my family and to stop sacrificing meals for me so my kids have lunch and fruit for school. 

I find it shameful and hard to swallow when politicians give themselves pay rises which almost equate to an annual government benefit for others in our community. 

I would love to see Mr Morrison have to make some of the decisions we have to, like do we eat or have power this fortnight, or do we register the car. All these decisions lead us into further poverty.

Can’t register the car, can’t get to work. Can’t afford electicity and food, depression, feeling like you’re a terrible provider even though you always put your children first. 

It’s an endless cycle of poverty that is hard to rise out of, you struggle to keep your head above water. – Kate Kratzerville

Commenting on the story: Call to repave Rundle Mall (again) to combat climate change

I imagine the retailers would be just wanting to have their shops blocked interminably for repaving work. After Covid, what else would you want?

The council could go back to the future and learn the ancient art of tree care. Not just whacking them in and pulling them out etc. Real commitment to trees for a century or more.

Of course this will never happen, trees in these times look their best in architect’s drawings. Alas. – Gary Whaite