So that is where I came to the position that I didn’t object per se to these agreements if there is genuine mutuality and benefit to both sides in that way.

If you want to teach hygiene, nutrition, etc, then you do so respectfully, in the knowledge that habits take time to change and that every community in the world finds some practises okay that others find disgusting, rude or inexplicable.

Just as the baby bonus only provides an incentive to people already wanting to have kids and centrelink is only a disincentive to people already wanting to work, I think these ‘civility contracts’ are only going to work for people already convinced that they want to be ‘civilised’!!!

Possibly all you need is to increase the width of the display window? Just a suggestion.

There is always two or even 100 ways to look at everything - especially welfare. I have worked for most of my career in welfare (I’ve also sold life insurance and super-annuation, so I’m not so certain I can be entirely trusted). I have seen 2nd and even 3rd generation welfare recipients, I have seen people give up work that would provide them with dignity and self respect simply because “the dole pays me more money” (this was from a person with 4 children, and he was right - the dole did pay him more than he could earn at that point.)

Currently I work with UnitingCare Ageing as the Volunteer Services Manager for one of their regions in NSW. We ahve 4 Work for the Dole projects that we currently sponsor. We ahve had over 300 participants come through our program and I have seen people who gave it a good go build their own confidence and develop transferable emlpoyment skills, but more importantly developed life skills and a desire to contribute to and not simply sit back and take from society.

Now I do actually belive that most people want to contribute to their community and I do not think that employment is a necessary part of that contribution - however gettoing off you arse and doing something is!