Pru Goward's Prole Bites Back

I was appalled to read Pru Goward's despicable headline, and astonished that the article was published in the Australian Financial Review (AFR). Pru Goward was NSW Minister for Family and Community Services. The fact that she holds these views is a sad indictment on the Department's information and advice to her while in Office.

Pru Goward is now honorary Professor of Social Interventions and Policy at University of Western Sydney. Western Sydney includes a large disadvantaged population.

These facts make her article all the more shocking.

Far right/ Nazi propaganda is growing on the internet, but this should not be seen in reputable Media. People familiar with details of Nazi Germany would be familiar with this kind of rhetoric which dehumanises a vulnerable group of people, making them easier targets to exploit. The only thing Pru forgot was a rat cartoon.

It's like Pru Goward read an article about something or saw a statistic, and thought: "Ooh! That reminds me of old books. I'm going to write about it!" and dumped a stream of consciousness. I have read better pieces on blogs.

Because of embarrassment, I would not usually share such details, but I have personal experience of poverty.

I attended a Private school. I have graduated from University 3 times. I have raised 2 University-educated children. I have worked as a professional in more than one field, including as a substantive APS6 in the Commonwealth Public Service.

Yet, as a middle-aged woman I find myself unemployed, homeless and in ill health. I am one of Pru Goward's underclass of Proles.

To address the rather strange collection of generalisations Pru Goward makes about people in poverty:

I am fully vaccinated for Covid-19, have been tested for Covid-19 multiple times, participated in lockdowns and isolations, and did not participate in anti-vax rallies or rhetoric.

I eat vegetables.

I vote.

There have been times that I have not been a fastidious housekeeper. Like when I was a single working mother of young children, also studying at Uni. Again when I was physically incapacitated and unable to perform some tasks. I know a lot of wealthy people. They pay people to do their housework. Since Pru places such an emphasis on housework, perhaps she would like to prioritise a "Universal Basic Housekeeper Allowance", or a scheme where every household has a maid? Since that's what Pru thinks is important.

I've been both a Social Worker and a Teacher, and Pru's representations of those professions do not match my experience and the excellent people that I worked with.

It is unbelievably frustrating when people with no idea of reality make statements on behalf of the powerless. It gives the general population wrong information and false expectations. It creates bad policy, as well as bad blood.

Pru Goward says she knows and admires many members of the underclass. Yet her entire article is derogatory.

Trying to live with not enough money is not just hard, it is damaging. It affects the housing, heating, clothing and food you can buy, so it affects health at a very basic level. This is particularly important for children, as the food they eat influences growth and development. This is why Government subsidies such as Parenting Payment, Family Tax Benefit (and precursors) exist.

Pop culture indicates that a "normal" lifestyle means going out for coffee and meals and social activities. This isn't possible for people trying to stretch $40 to feed their family this fortnight, after paying for childcare and parking near work etc.

Having said that, people who have experienced poverty and other difficulties include some of the most resilient people in the world. For a quick sample, refer to the abundance of Life Coaches currently publishing books and running online courses.

To say that people who live in poverty experience enormous difficulty is true. To say that they can never overcome it is just plain idiotic. That's like saying someone who worked as a Politician won't lose their marbles and write a piece like Pru Goward's.

Pru Goward's article states the aim of "harnessing" the proles of the underclass, as though they are a mass to be manipulated. She calls them honest and distrustful. How, then, does she intend to "harness" this poorly described, undifferentiated mass. To what purpose? Have internet profiles manipulate them into anti-vax rallies and far-right beliefs?

The one thing I agree with Pru Goward about is that socio-economically disadvantaged people should not be underestimated. They should be provided with individual support and assistance, so that all Australians can enjoy our way of life, and contribute their skills, knowledge, personality and influence to our combined efforts of a healthy society.

I have long considered the AFR a worthy paper. Many times is has provided a more educated perspective than other sources. This time, it has failed miserably.

I wrote to the AFR insisting they publish a piece in response to Pru's harmful tantrum, written by someone with actual knowledge and understanding of social issues, and some concept of ways to appropriately address these issues.

Perhaps an actual Lecturer in Social Work or Social Policy. Or maybe pick several people who wrote letters about it. I expect others have made the same suggestion. It will be interesting to see if they do so.

Australia will NOT become Nazi Germany because we have the capacity to understand. We know what has happened before. We will prevent it happening here. We are a people who don't follow dickheads.