THE Senate this week blocked the Federal Government plans for a one month wait for young people to access unemployment benefits.

The government said the measure would have saved the budget $173.3 million over the next four years.

The Bulletin asked readers on Facebook: Yes or no: should young people be forced to wait to go on the dole?

Naomi Liersch - I wonder what the government would do if we told them they have to wait to get their paychecks when they enter politics?
Jim Mac - and, what are they gonna do before getting the dole. they need to eat, or have we forgot about that! If someone goes on the dole (95%) they need help or are we just a nation of showing face by taking in others from countries that we bomb?
Kerry Lee - This is just out of touch politicians stupidity at its worst. What are the unemployed young supposed to live on in the meantime? Thin air? The cost of the increased crime this would cause far outweighs the measly couple of dollars it would save. Just a case of the politicians shuffling figures to make them look good.
John Fitzgerald - Would like to hear Michelle Landry's view in this! Particularly as we have a high rate of youth unemployment across the region. There is no excuse it's draconian and good to see state Labor doing something positive with the Skilling Qlders for Work initiative.
Denis Auberson - We won't assist Australians but we will give $44m and assistance to refugees.
Adam Gee - One month wait is no good, some people live paycheck to paycheck, if you lose your job and have to go through centrelink procedures and then wait a month you'll be in serious debt trouble. However, I'm totally comfortable with an initial drug check clearing before receiving benifits. That would force the ones that need to wait into waiting before they will be able to pass the test.
Chris Sinclair - Crime rate will rise..

Read more of the discussion here: