Breadline

Breadline, the show by welfare recipients for us. This episode first aired on Monday 5 January 2026, live from the 3CR studios in Fitzroy. Presenter Jessica Harrison kicks off 2026 with reflections on surviving from fortnight to fortnight, and her childhood in the Sixties on a small group of islands in Queensland, with her family making do on the so-called "Widow's" Pension.  Jessica discusses stories from the public Facebook page 'THE CENTRELINK SYSTEM IS BROKEN', which can be found at this link. You can also look up your Job Service Provider and find out how much money they have been donating to political parties at this website: donation.watch If you're having problems with Centrelink or want to know more about your welfare rights, you can email an AUWU volunteer at advocacy[@]auwu[dot]org[dot]au. You can also become a volunteer yourself and learn how to help people through AUWU's advocacy line. Find out more here: auwu.org.au Breadline is recorded and podcasted on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.Breadline airs on 3CR 855AM every Monday 6pm-6.30pm and is presented by the Australian Unemployed Workers Union (AUWU).

Breadline, the show by welfare recipients for us. This episode first aired on Monday 29 December 2025, live from the 3CR studios in Fitzroy. Presenter Kaitlyn Blythe interviews 3CR volunteer Dr Antimony Deor, whose Summer Special series 'Stories of the unemployed' airs every Monday from 10.30am-11am until 12 January. Antimony chats with Breadline about the stigma around unemployment, and creating the series 'Stories of the unemployed'. This Summer Special focuses on humanising welfare recipients by telling their stories. Each episode is an in-depth conversation with someone on a Centrelink payment about their lives, the circumstances that led to their unemployment, their experience with the welfare system, and their hopes for the future. 3CR's Summer Specials are running from 22 December 2025 to 12 January 2026. If you're having problems with Centrelink or want to know more about your welfare rights, you can email an AUWU volunteer at advocacy[@]auwu[dot]org[dot]au. You can also become a volunteer yourself and learn how to help people through AUWU's advocacy line. Find out more here: auwu.org.au Breadline is recorded and podcasted on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.Breadline airs on 3CR 855AM every Monday 6pm-6.30pm and is presented by the Australian Unemployed Workers Union (AUWU).

Breadline, the show by welfare recipients for us. This episode first aired on Monday 8 December 2025, live from the 3CR studios in Fitzroy. The Breadline team brings an update on Robodebt: letters are landing in MyGov accounts with information about potential compensation for victims of Robodebt. Gordon Legal, the firm that handled the Robodebt Class Action, is now asking people affected by Robodebt to register for the 'Second Robodebt Class Action Settlement'. Gordon Legal suggests that you might be able to get compensation for Robodebt. They're asking for registration before 4pm 6 March 2026 on the Gordon Legal website, or you can call Gordon Legal to register on 1300 001 356. Breadline will continue to cover this class action as it unfolds. If you're having problems with Centrelink or want to know more about your welfare rights, you can email an AUWU volunteer at advocacy[@]auwu[dot]org[dot]au. You can also become a volunteer yourself and learn how to help people through AUWU's advocacy line. Find out more here: auwu.org.au Breadline is recorded and podcasted on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.Breadline airs on 3CR 855AM every Monday 6pm-6.30pm and is presented by the Australian Unemployed Workers Union (AUWU).

Interviewing Elle Sanders, our newest volunteer on the advice line, and she talks about the unfairness of the Partner Income Test.

Up date on Hank Ferguson’s court caseA good news storyCo-Health close down

Breadline, the show by welfare recipients for us. This episode first aired on Monday 13 October 2025, live from the 3CR studios in Fitzroy. Presenters Kaitlyn Blythe and Jessica Harrison discuss the latest welfare news, and the unfairness of so-called Australia's welfare system as a whole. Hot off the presses, Breadline covers the news that the government has paused welfare payment cancellations. We've covered the questionable legality of the 'Targeted Compliance Framework' (TCF) before on this show, on Monday 7 July and Monday 11 August (click through to relisten to those episodes). Kaitlyn and Jessica also talk about the government paying private company Deloitte $440,000 to 'review' the TCF, only for Deloitte to use GenAI in their report and not pick up on many AI 'hallucinations'. Deloitte is now being required to partially refund the government. This is what government money is being spent on. Finally, 'mutual obligations' for Disability Employment Services (DES) are being paused beginning this Thursday, paused from16th October 2025 to 5 January 2026. 'Inclusive Employment Australia' is replacing DES from 1 November, which is causing all kinds of confusion. If you use DES, they have a 'transition line' you can call for more information about how this transition might affect you. The number is 1800227337. If you're having problems with Centrelink or want to know more about your welfare rights, you can email an AUWU volunteer at advocacy[@]auwu[dot]org[dot]au. You can also become a volunteer yourself and learn how to help people through AUWU's advocacy line. Find out more here: auwu.org.au Breadline is recorded and podcasted on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.Breadline airs on 3CR 855AM every Monday 6pm-6.30pm and is presented by the Australian Unemployed Workers Union (AUWU).

A reminder of Hank Ferguson’s court dateFirst Nation Australians launch class actionCommunity Development ProgramInclusive Employment AustraliaHomelessness in the CBD

Disability Employment Service rebranded to Inclusive Employment AustraliaOver 300,000 Australians had Centrelink payments illegally cancelled

Danielle Hassall reports on the National Employment Services Association Annual MeetingJay Coonan from the Antipoverty Centre talks about Income Proportionate and illegal payment suspensions

Job Providers and what they’re willing to fund for short courses.A report from the Antipoverty Centre.Get help if you receive a Centrelink debt notice

Mutual Obligations paused for today due to more IT problemsUnlawful Centrelink cancellations440k Deloitte reportList of who’s calling to abolish the TCFDisability Employment Service rebranded to Inclusive Employment Australia

We hear speakers Prof.Bill Mitchell, from the University of Newcastle, New South Wales, and Shifrah Blustein, community lawyer and advocate.

Breadline, the show by welfare recipients for us. This episode first aired on Monday 11 August 2025, live from the 3CR studios in Fitzroy. Presenters Jessica Harrison and Kaitlyn Blythe welcome guest Jay Coonan from The Antipoverty Centre into the studio to discuss the Commonwealth Ombudsman's report on the lawfulness of the Targeted Compliance Framework (also known as "mutual obligations"). With over 1,000 people's welfare payments found to have been unlawfully terminated between 2022 and 2024, even with the laws introduced after the Robodebt Royal Commission, how did it get this bad? Breadline discusses whether this is a Robodebt 2.0, and Jay suggests first steps to welfare recipients who have had their payments unlawfully cancelled or suspended under this Targeted Compliance Framework. If you're having problems with Centrelink or want to know more about your welfare rights, you can email an AUWU volunteer at advocacy[@]auwu[dot]org[dot]au. You can also become a volunteer yourself and learn how to help people through AUWU's advocacy line. Find out more here: auwu.org.au Breadline is recorded and podcasted on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.Breadline airs on 3CR 855AM every Monday 6pm-6.30pm and is presented by the Australian Unemployed Workers Union (AUWU).

Breadline, the show by welfare recipients for us. This episode first aired on Monday 4 August 2025, live from the 3CR studios in Fitzroy, with presenters Jessica Harrison and Daryl Mc.Donald. Jessica and Daryl discuss the recent arrest of their Breadline co-host and AUWU member Hank, who was arrested for his protest at the demolition of public housing. It's Homelessness Week 2025, so Breadline features some on-the-street interviews with people sleeping rough in Naarm/Melbourne. These interviews were first aired on 3CR Thursday Breakfast.  To get involved in housing justice or just to connect with other renters going through a similar struggle, check out the Renters and Housing Union (RAHU). If you're having problems with Centrelink or want to know more about your welfare rights, you can email an AUWU volunteer at advocacy[@]auwu[dot]org[dot]au. Find out more here: auwu.org.au Breadline is recorded and podcasted on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.Breadline airs on 3CR 855AM every Monday 6pm-6.30pm and is presented by the Australian Unemployed Workers Union (AUWU).

My interpretation of last weeks newsI interview Hank Ferguson about the Public Housing demolitions

Danielle reports on the latest unemployment figures from the Australian Bureau of StatisticsThe demolition of public housingCasey Council forcing Back to Basics food charity to close downNo tax for the wealthy

AUWU running a training sessionHank Ferguson talks about the government demolishing public housingComputer bugs in the Targeted Compliance Framework

Breadline, the show by welfare recipients for us. This episode first aired on Monday 7 July 2025, live from the 3CR studios in Fitzroy, with presenters Jessica Harrison and Kaitlyn Blythe discussing the Commonwealth ombudsman's investigation into the lawfulness of the Targeted Compliance Framework, and also the struggles of renting on welfare. The Targeted Compliance Framework is a government policy that punishes welfare recipients for not meeting their 'mutual obligations', forcing welfare recipients to attend unhelpful meetings even if they are sick or in hospital. Here is Ben Eltham's Crikey article that was discussed on-air, 'Could this be the death of Australia's nightmarish welfare system?' Jessica discusses the mysterious 'pauses' that are happening more often in the social security system, and what they could mean.  Finding stable housing is a constant struggle on the low income of welfare payments like Jobseeker, the DSP and the Age pension. Kaitlyn and Jessica talk about the difficulty of finding a place to call home, the stress of high rents, and how the people you see sleeping rough in your neighbourhood are just the tip of the iceberg. To get involved in housing justice or just to connect with other renters going through a similar struggle, check out the Renters and Housing Union (RAHU). If you're having problems with Centrelink or want to know more about your welfare rights, you can email an AUWU volunteer at advocacy[@]auwu[dot]org[dot]au. You can also become a volunteer yourself and learn how to help people through AUWU's advocacy line. Find out more here: auwu.org.au Breadline is recorded and podcasted on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.Breadline airs on 3CR 855AM every Monday 6pm-6.30pm and is presented by the Australian Unemployed Workers Union (AUWU).

Jessica talks about her trip to Brisbane to attend the Antipoverty SummitAnd a little bit about the food bank in Wonthaggi

Thankyou to all the people who donated to 3CRJobseeker’s payments were cut off during a hospital stay for psychosis

Radiothon SpecialPresenters Daryl Mc.Donald, Jessica Harrison and special guest Danielle Hassall.

Radiothon reminderSquatting in the UKAnother death of a First Nation personAntipoverty SummitSquatters tents evicted from Brisbane parks

Let us know what you like or don’t like about 3CRCatch up on last weeks newsA good news eventRadiothon coming up

I interview Catherine Cain. President of the AUWU.Radiothon coming up.

Danielle Hassall interviews Jemma, secretary for the Australian Unemployed Workers Union.

The Eight Hour DayAffordable Rental Market

Cost of Living CrisesViolent Protest

The tale of John "Chummy" Fleming 1863 - 1950John William 'Chummy' Fleming was a pioneer unionist, activist, agitator for the unemployed, and anarchist in Melbourne.

Breadline, the show by welfare recipients for us. This episode first aired on Monday 14 April 2025, with presenters Daryl McDonald, Jessica Harrison and Kaitlyn Blythe discussing the dangers and injustices of the Work For The Dole program. Jessica and Daryl come fresh off the AUWU demonstration in the Naarm/Melbourne CBD against Work For The Dole, and the team chats about the reported unethical practices by job service providers who rely on jobseekers for their payouts. Jessica shares the story of one welfare recipient who found her job service provider had added their name to her resume without her knowledge, and the sad story of Josh Park-Fing's death on a WftD job site in 2016.  If you're having problems with Centrelink or want to know more about your welfare rights, you can email an AUWU volunteer at advocacy[@]auwu[dot]org[dot]au. Breadline is recorded and podcasted on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, and we pay respects to Elders past and present.Breadline airs on 3CR 855AM every Monday 6pm-6.30pm and is presented by the Australian Unemployed Workers Union (AUWU).

I interview Tracy Smallwood, the newly elected member of the Committee of Management for the Australian Unemployed Workers UnionDanielle Hassall talks about her experience in Work for the Dole places

International Transgender Day of VisibilityNine years since Josh Park-Fing died while at Work for the DoleThe history of the unemployed in the 20’s and 30’s

Covid Supplement Five Year Anniversary Event.Antipoverty Media ReleaseAbout the Antipoverty CentreDanielle interviews Lou Wheeler from FAIN (Fight Against Inequality Network)

Centrelink payments below the poverty lineRenters rightsAntipoverty Summit in June

Breadline, the show by welfare recipients for us. This episode first aired on Monday 10 March 2025, with presenters Jessica Harrison, Daryl McDonald and Kaitlyn Blythe speaking to guest Jay Coonan from the Antipoverty Centre.The team discussed the ongoing problems with mutual obligations, Services Australia's testimony in the Senate Estimates hearing regarding the ten deaths of welfare recipients following their payments being illegally cancelled, and the welfare recipients up north being forced to continue mutual obligations requirements while prepping for Cyclone Alfred.Breadline is recorded and podcasted on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, and we pay respects to Elders past and present.Breadline airs on 3CR 855AM every Monday at 6pm-6.30pm and is presented by the Australian Unemployed Workers Union.

Danielle interviews Alex about his horrific fight for DSP

State of the UnionDonations to government from Job Providers

Second investigation into illegal payment cancellationsTargeted Compliance Framework

Breadline, the show by welfare recipients for us. This episode first aired on Monday 10 February 2025, with presenters Kaitlyn Blythe and Jessica Harrison interviewing activist Sophia Redjeb about their petition to end the partner income test for all welfare payments, and the impacts of economic injustice on Disability Support Pension recipients.Sophia Redjeb's petition to the House of Representatives can be found here: Petition EN7076 'End Partner Income Tests in Welfare Payments'. The closing date for signatures is on 19 February 2025. You can find Sophia here:Instagram @SophiaRedjebTiktok @SophiiaRedjebBreadline is recorded and podcasted on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, and we pay respects to Elders past and present.Breadline airs on 3CR 855AM every Monday 6pm-6.30pm and is presented by the Australian Unemployed Workers Union.

Continuing on from October about your rights.Job Search requirementsJob Searches and the PauseHow much notice before an appointment or activityConsent for Release of Personal InformationDo I have to hand over my payslips if asked?Too many appointments

Incompetent Mutual Obligation PauseAboriginal elder gives a very powerful and emotional speech in Invasion Day

More Problems on the Workforce Australia IT system againPeople flooded with conflicting and delayed messagesAntipoverty Centre calls for Mutual Obligation Pause

Payment suspended for a no good reasonTunnerminnerwait and Maulboyhenner RemembranceAntipoverty SummitPrisoners used to fight L.A. fires for $10.26c per dayBush fires managed by First Nations people

Hands freeJob PlanConsent for Release of Personal Information

This show is dedicated to parents on Job SeekerIncludes a recorded interview with Sally, a single mother on Job Seeker.

Is the Targeted Compliance Framework operating unlawfully?New Complaints Mechanism.

Mutual obligations on pause.Homes found empty for 15 years while homeless numbers increase.The head of Workforce Australia was sacked and forced out in shame.Free Xmas meals for the homeless and needy.

Union closing down for Xmas  16 Dec 24 to 6 Jan 25.Talking to Dean Beck JP about the new Document Signing Centre at the Victorian Pride Centre.Various groups have presented Origin Energy with a 173 million dollar energy bill.

The Golden Demerit was awarded to APM for being the worst Job Provider 2024.

Victorian Pride and Document Signing Centre

Signing anything from your Job ProviderThe Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment ServicesChasing participants for Pay SlipsWorst of the worst for SuspensionsNew book release about Robodept called Mean Streak by Rick MortonRental problems and RAHU Rental and Housing Union