Do not take these government payments for granted. Not saying that you all will, but there will be a percentage who believe they are entitled to them and will forget all of this when the virus settles and the economy is back on track.

Remember that these payments are always necessary to segments of the community and try and imagine you were someone on the much lower newstart payments before all of this happened or how you would be surviving if it didn’t exist in the first place. Don’t forget they stimulate the economy in their own way and are purposed to allow vulnerable Australians have a reasonable standard of living. This counts for all of the government stimulus packages.

Think twice before voting for people that want to demonise those on welfare, particularly when a large percent are not by choice.

I have always backed government welfare programs for the less fortunate and continue to do so now for everyone even though I have safe employment. Even though my taxes are paying for this I’m proud that I can help in some way.

There are a lot of people that never would have imagined themselves in this position and have previously questioned why their money should go to those who do not have jobs. Might be a bit of a reality check to some.

Remember too there are a lot of countries that would allow their people to starve without any benefits so I am grateful.

I wish you all the best and hopefully we can all get through this if we work together and treat each other with dignity and respect.

I’d also like to remind those collecting benefits for the first time to factor in the toll losing your job/ the uncertainty takes on your mental health and compare that to the small few on welfare that have the same mental health issues and end up resorting to substance abuse as a result.

Don’t judge those for complaining to the government about exorbitant house prices when some just want a stable home.

Take into account essential services, ambos, doctors, firies, nurses, police, teachers, retail workers and don’t be judgemental when they ask for a pay rise or demonise them when they are at work just trying to do their job.