Commenting on the story: Advocates renew push for higher JobSeeker rate

I am on JobSeeker and with rent, utilities, a car to run and a dog to feed, I have already had to cut back to one meal a day. I don’t drive any further than the local shops. Take away food or going to a movie is definitely out of the question and the cost of everything keeps increasing. It’s a terrible life. – Norman Alberts

I am currently awaiting surgery and have been, like many other people in my age bracket, classed as being of an unemployable age. I have been living below the poverty line on Newstart until I get my surgery. The government seriously needs to look at increasing the benefit and stop punishing those who wish they could work but can’t due to medical conditions. We are not the generation that chooses not to work. – Wendy Lindberg

Due to ill health, I am unable to work the minimum hours required on JobSeeker. I’m a single, 59-year-old grandmother of six. I live alone and help support a daughter and her two young children as she has mental health problems. I also have elderly parents who have Alzheimer’s and try and help with their care too. I have fibromyalgia and Meniere’s Disease among other health problems and will find the JobSeeker reduced rate pretty impossible to survive on. I have always worked and been independent and am worried sick by the thought of having to rely on this low income. I think a lot of people are going to be in a dire situation if this payment isn’t adjusted to people’s situations. – Jennifer Fuller

Commenting on the story: Liberal leaders asked to wait for Waite

The Liberal Party should be very careful. Sam Duluk may get more votes as an independent than a Liberal candidate musters. – Greg Slattery

The Liberal party sub-branch in Waite does not represent the views of the majority of the electorate, and Steven Marshall would be well-advised to create an opportunity for change by allowing a less than right-wing candidate stand for pre-selection now. Waite is considered a safe Liberal seat, but a more moderate candidate would have greater cut-through with the diverse community and re-establish a level of goodwill between the office of MP and the community.

Many in the Waite electorate feel disenfranchised by Duluk, and waiting for his charge to be resolved is asking us to put aside ‘best representation’ for the sake of politicians scratching each other’s backs. If the Liberal Party thinks he’s the best person to represent our community, it’s a very telling statement to us about the party’s standards. – Jacob Hodgman

Commenting on the story: SA Govt considers paying parents to adopt kids in care

The title of this article was unfair and even cruel. Families formed through adoption and other forms of permanent care know that children with backgrounds of trauma and neglect often require access to additional therapeutic supports over many years. This can be very costly and difficult to predict with regard to a child’s future needs.

The state has a moral obligation to ensure the delivery of this care where children have been through the out of home care system. Any family that loves a child and wants to take on their care permanently should be able to do this in full confidence that they’ll receive the help they need to do so. This is not about ‘paying parents to adopt kids’, it’s about supporting families to raise children in stable and loving environments. – Jennifer Duncan