In the wake of the Australian Federal Budget delivered earlier this week, The Age published this article demonstrating the disappointment of some families who are earning just over the $150K threshold for “family welfare”. The means testing of the family tax benefit and baby bonus, means that once you’re over $150,000 a year as household income, you no longer receive these handouts from our government.

So begins the whining. From the article:

She and her husband Sam together earn a little over $150,000. They certainly aren’t doing it tough. But with two boys at school and rising interest rates biting, they hardly consider themselves flush.

“I don’t classify us as rich,” she says. “We all want the nice house, but I don’t call my house a mansion. I want it to be a home for my children.”

…”There doesn’t seem to be any reward for people who have put the hard effort in,” Mr Sciberras said.

…

the Government decided $150,000 would be the point at which the family welfare tap is turned off. Mrs Sciberras thinks it should be $200,000. The Brotherhood of St Laurence nominates $120,000.

(Source: “Wealthy? Not us, say this Mill Park Family… we’ve earned it” – theage.com.au)

Well I’m just about over hearing about it. Where does this sense of entitlement come from – that the government should be looking after you financially when you’re earning in excess of 150 grand. It’s pathetic. And you know what, if you’re earning $150,000 a year as a family and still believe that you’re not “rich”, maybe it’s time you got slapped in the face with a big fish called reality. I can’t understand why people would expect that they should receive a welfare payment when they have that sort of earning capacity. Shannon Knoll isn’t the only one in this country singing “What about me”, and the tune is getting pretty freaking pathetic.